If there is one thing that weddings are about, it is romance and joy. Just kidding, the main thing that weddings are about is schedules! When you get close to the big day itself it’s one big planning and checklists and schedules and prioritising and multitasking fiesta.
That doesn’t sound quite right somehow, does it?
In order to stop getting bogged down in the scheduling and allow you to remember a bit of the fun and romance of your wedding day, we have compiled the ultimate schedules for a number of different wedding days, and even one for your wedding week.
So, take the hassle and stress out of your day, and perhaps relax and enjoy this momentous day by starting with our Easy Weddings schedules. Plus, vendors love it when you are this organised.
Adapt them to suit your own personal day and remember that they are only guidelines; don’t stress too much on the day if you don’t meet every timeline or mix the order around a little. The main things to try to stick are arriving on time for your ceremony, and then leaving the reception venue when they say you have to.
Factors that will affect your own wedding day schedule:
- Whether your ceremony and reception are all in one venue, or there is travel time in between. If you are all in one venue then most likely the ceremony will be directly followed by drinks and canapes, and all the other festivities will follow
- How much travelling you must factor in from home to the ceremony and to the reception venue
- If you are having a ‘first look’, or meeting at the altar/podium
- If you have scheduled time for bridal party photos between the ceremony and reception (which can take up to a couple of hours)
- If you have any afternoon entertainment for your guests
- What type of meal you are serving; brunch, cocktail, buffet, full sit-down dinner, and therefore how many courses will be served
- Morning or lunch receptions usually don’t have music and dancing time, but of course, you can do what you would like!
- Take note of when sunset happens on your wedding day because photos at this time can be wonderful
Wedding Day Schedule: 11am wedding and lunch reception
6am – start to get ready, hair and makeup
7am – photographer and videographer arrive
9am – bridal party and family photos
10.30am – venue opens for guests to arrive, ushers greet them
– bridal party travel to the venue
11am – ceremony
11.30 – ceremony completed
– group photos
– drinks and canapes are served
12.30 – bridal party enter, and all guests are seated for main meal
1pm – speeches/toasts
– cutting of the cake
– first dance
– dessert served
2.30pm – bridal couple depart, last drinks announced
3pm – end of the reception
– afternoon entertainment if any arranged, followed by casual dinner
Wedding Day Schedule: 2pm wedding and dinner reception (separate venues)
8am – start to get ready, hair and make up
– photographer and videographer arrive
12pm – wedding party and family photos
1.30pm – ceremony venue open to start receiving guests, ushers should be here
– bridal party start to travel to the venue
2pm – wedding ceremony
2.30pm – ceremony completed, photos at venue
3pm – bridal party leave to doing their photos
– Guests move to afternoon entertainment if offered, such as afternoon tea or drinks
5.30 – bridal party arrive at reception venue and relax
– guests arriving at the reception venue
6pm – guests seated
– Bridal party announced
– entrée
– speeches/toasts
– main served
– speeches
– cut cake
– first dance
– dancing for everyone commences
– dessert is served
10.30pm – farewell couple and last drinks
11pm – guests leave reception venue
Wedding Day Schedule: 6pm (or sunset) wedding and dinner reception
10am – wedding breakfast and family drinks
– manicures/pedicures/lazy round of golf
12pm – start to get ready, hair and make up
– photographer and videographer arrive
3pm – wedding party and family photos
5.30pm – ceremony venue open to start receiving guests, ushers should be here
– bridal party start to travel to the venue
6pm – wedding ceremony
6.30pm – ceremony completed, photos at venue
– drinks and canapes served
7pm – guests seated
– Bridal party announced
– entrée
– speeches
– main served
– speeches
– cut cake
– first dance
– dancing for everyone commences
– dessert is served
10.30pm – farewell couple and last drinks
11pm – guests leave reception venue
Wedding Week schedule
Saturday before wedding
Get last facials
Buck’s night and hen’s night
Sunday
Get your final haircuts and colours
Monday
Make sure reception venue has numbers, dietary requirements, place settings
Confirm all vendors for the big day and make sure they have received wedding schedule
Do a wardrobe check for bride, groom, bridal party (big and small members), making sure that every outfit piece and accessory is accounted for
Go to the dentist for a final clean
Tuesday
Make sure bonbonniere are finalised
Pick up your cleaned engagement ring and any wedding rings
Wear your wedding shoes a bit to break them in, and scruff the soles a little so that you don’t slip
Wednesday
Pick up suits
Finish writing your vows and do a practice in front of a trusted friend
Make sure that any gifts for your bridal party or parents are wrapped and ready
Thursday
Buy food and drinks for easy nibbling across your wedding day, especially for when getting ready or having photos taken
Pack for honeymoon
Get spray tan and any waxing done
Friday
Pick up flowers, cake
Make sure any decorations or any other items that need to be dropped to the ceremony or reception venues get there.
Get manicures or pedicures done
Rehearsal dinner and greet any guests who have travelled from afar
Saturday
Get married!
Sunday
Sleep
Wedding brunch, then leave for honeymoon
Monday
Have assigned people to return suits, cars and anything rented
