No matter how big or small your wedding day is, it will require some strategic planning in order to run smoothly. Even the most well planned weddings have their mishaps and delays. This is why it’s vital to have a solid timeline in place so that all your wedding vendors can work together to keep the day on track so you won’t have to worry about it. I work closely with my brides to make sure they have a solid schedule for the day and they communicate important details to the appropriate parties. Here are some tips to help you with your wedding day timeline:
Who needs to be included on the wedding day timeline and who needs a copy?
Everyone involved. Along with your venue, Dj, officiant and photographer, your wedding party should also be very familiar with the timeline. Nothing is worse than losing 20 minutes of photography time because someone was confused about where to be at what time. That 20 minutes can make a huge difference, especially when it comes to photos.
Hiring a professional day of coordinator can help you keep your day on track and help solve any mishaps that might come up along the way. That way if your vendors, guests, or bridal party have any questions or confusion, they can get the info they need without disrupting you.
When do I need to make a wedding day timeline?
As SOON as possible. The sooner you can nail out the details the better. As a photographer, one of the most important things I need to know is “How much time do I have to photograph you?” The further in advance I have this information the better I can prepare for your big day. Knowing the amount of shooting time available will also help you decide if you want or need to do a pre wedding bridal shoot, or a first look.
You should check in with all the vital players a couple of weeks before the wedding to finalize the timeline and make sure everyone has an updated copy. As long as everyone sticks to the set timeline and avoids making any last minute changes, your day should run smoothly.
Inevitably, there will be something that doesn’t go quite as planned. It just comes with the territory. However, the more prepared you are to deal with small hiccups the easier it will be to overcome them. Talk to your event planner or photographer if you need help getting your timeline together, believe it or not, they’ll be more than happy to help!
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