There are several decisions you’ll need to make before you can start creating your wedding day timeline.
These are questions you need to talk about with your significant regarding your wedding’s unique logistics. After doing weddings for too long I see where the ceremonies are orchestrated down to the last detail. However, often the reception can go off track, if you do not have a wedding coordinator. It is okay if it is not in the budget for a coordinator but consider making sure that you have a plan/timeline in place to ensure that you get everything you want out of your reception.
Will you be getting ready at your ceremony location or somewhere else?
Are you planning on having a “first look” and doing photos pre-ceremony?
Or would you rather wait until cocktail hour to do couple and group/family portraits?
Do you want to take first look or wedding portraits at a specific time (i.e., "golden hour," the last hour of light before the sun goes down)?
How long will your ceremony be? This will require a discussion with your officiant. While the average wedding ceremony is around 30 minutes,
Will your cocktail hour take place between the ceremony and reception or before the ceremony?
Will you have a receiving line?
Are you doing a first dance, parent dances (such as the father-daughter dance and/or mother-son dance), or other dances at your reception
How many toasts will you have?
Will you do a cake cutting?
Will you do the bouquet toss, of garter toss?
How much time is included in your vendors’ contracts? How long will your photographers (DJ/band, videographer, etc.) be present at your wedding?
Are you hosting an after-party or parties?
Where will those take place and how will guests get there?
These are a few of the questions you should discuss prior to your wedding day. If you address these with your significant other, I assure you that you will be more relaxed and have more fun at your reception.
Till next time, Cynthia
Cynthia Farrar, Owner, and Venue Director of The Orchards Event Venue never knew when she purchased and began hosting weddings on the property how being a part of people’s weddings would change her life, and the lives of couples and families she is blessed to work with. She understands their anticipation: the moment couples are engaged; wheels start spinning with beautiful and memorable ideas. Her job is to assist in bringing those visions to life, along with her team who work side-by-side with each couple, every step of the way.
She finds her position at The Orchards Event Venue to be very gratifying and heartwarming. Every couple is unique, and they bring their own personalities to their wedding, and she leaves every wedding with special memories to cherish a lifetime.