Wedding Timeline Worksheets: How to organize your wedding day timeline!

 

Planning a wedding is stressful!! There are so many elements and details you need to plan, organize, pay for, etc. It’s a lot and no one ever tells you just how hard it’s going to be. It’s honestly like a part time job on top of your day job! Sure, Pinterset really helps gather ideas and point you in a direction of where you want to take your wedding, but when it comes down to it, it’s still mega stressful.

So today on SJ’s Bridal Banter, I want to help you organize at least one major part of your day: your wedding timeline. This is a big one! There are so many questions you need to ask so I hope this banter blog post helps at least a little bit with some bigger questions.

Below are questions you need to ask your vendors in order to frame your timeline.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• When do you want your ceremony to start?

• When do you want to leave your wedding?

Hair and Makeup:

• How long does it take to complete the Bride’s hair and makeup?

• How long does it take to complete the bridesmaids hair and makeup?

• When will they arrive to the ‘getting ready’ location?

Caterer and/or dessert:

• When will they arrive?

• Are they needing to cook anything at the venue?

• When do they think dinner would be ready after they arrive?

DJ:

• When will they arrive?

• How many hours of coverage do you have them for?

Photographer:

• How many hours of coverage do you have them for?

• If you want a first look or plan to have some pictures before the ceremony (like detail shots, getting ready shots, and/or family pictures, etc) decide when you want them there. Usually at least an hour before the ceremony starts if you do not want a first look. If you do want a first look, plan at least 2-3 hours if you also want family, bridal party, etc.

• How long can they stay? Based on how many hours of coverage you’re paying for.

Florals:

• When will they deliver everything?

• Will they need help any set up?

Venue:

• How long do you have the venue for?

• Is there a gate to the venue? Is there a time when the gate will be closed?

• Does the venue offer set up/ tear down services packages?

These questions are really to just get you started and to think about the vendors you’re working with so they can all fit into your wedding day schedule.

Depending if you want a ‘first look’ or not will determine your wedding day outline. So today, I have a couple worksheets that will help outline your wedding day schedule: one for a first look schedule, and one without.

Below are the two types of schedule worksheets where you can fill in how long each thing will take based on the answers to the questions above.

I’ve also included an example timeline I’m working on for my friends Lindsey & Justin. Their schedule includes a first look with her fiance and her dad.

Worksheet for First Looks

Worksheet for No First Look

Example Wedding Schedule: Lindsey & Justin

So I hope this all helps when putting together your timeline! It’s so important to coordinate with your vendors and make sure everything is going smoothly, so just keep in mind all the questions above so it’s all planned! I have always been called a ‘planner’ my whole life because I like to plan out whatever I’m working on, or any future plans my husband and I make (like 4 years in advance sometimes lol)

If you have any questions about the worksheets or anything in regards to your timeline, just let me know!

Happy Bridal Banter day!!