Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a wedding itinerary can help keep everything on track. A wedding itinerary is used by all your vendors to understand the flow of the wedding and ensure everything runs smoothly. It can include everything from the time you wake up, to hair and makeup, the ceremony, reception, and even the last song of the night. You can use a template to create your itinerary, and customise it to your unique needs and wedding vision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To ensure the wedding runs smoothly and to minimise stress |
| Planning | Look at a wedding schedule example that can be used as a template to customise |
| Timing | Plan the start time for the reception and ceremony, and the wedding day timeline |
| Details | Include everything from pre-ceremony getting-ready to the last song |
| Vendors | Share the timeline with vendors to understand the flow of the wedding |
| Photos | Plan the timing of photos, including "first look" photos, wedding party and family photos |
| Food | Schedule a time to eat and ensure the catering team provides food and drinks |
| Guests | Create a wedding itinerary for guests to put in their welcome bags |
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What You'll Learn
Breakfast and getting ready
Breakfast
It's your wedding day, and a nutritious breakfast will provide you and your bridal party with the energy boost needed for the day ahead. Consider having a relaxed brunch with your bridesmaids, mother, and other close family members. This can be in the form of a breakfast spread in your hotel suite or at a nearby restaurant. If you opt for a hotel suite breakfast, you can order from local restaurants or caterers, or even prepare a simple meal using the suite's kitchen facilities if available.
Some popular breakfast options include fruit trays, pastries, mimosas, coffee, tea, and light dishes such as frittatas or quiches. If you prefer a heartier meal, sandwiches, salads, or a charcuterie board are excellent choices. It's important to consider any dietary restrictions your bridal party may have and ensure there are suitable options for everyone.
Getting Ready
Now it's time to dive into the hair and makeup preparations. Whether you're visiting a salon or having stylists come to your location, allocate sufficient time for everyone's hair and makeup. Typically, you should allow for up to an hour for the bride's hair and makeup and around 30-60 minutes per person for the bridesmaids and other attendees.
During this time, the photographer will usually arrive to capture the "getting ready" photos. They will snap pictures of the wedding attire, including dresses, suits, rings, shoes, and other details. If you're planning a ""first look" photo session with your partner before the ceremony, set aside 15-30 minutes for this special moment.
As you move closer to the ceremony time, ensure that the bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and other VIPs are dressed and ready before the bride's hair and makeup are complete. This way, they can be part of the background of the photos featuring the bride getting dressed. If you wish to capture fun photos in matching robes or PJs, schedule this after hair and makeup but before everyone puts on their dresses.
A well-planned breakfast and getting-ready itinerary will ensure that you start your wedding day on a relaxed and enjoyable note, setting the tone for the rest of the celebrations.
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Photography and videography
Planning and Preparation
Discuss your preferences and expectations with your photographer and/or videographer. Decide on the style of photography you want, whether it's traditional, photojournalistic, or a mix of both. Consider the types of shots you desire, such as portrait, detail, or candid photos, and communicate this to your photographer. If you have a specific vision for certain photos, share it with your photographer so they can plan accordingly.
Timing and Scheduling
Create a detailed timeline for your photography and videography. Allow ample time for "getting ready" photos, including shots of the wedding attire, jewellery, shoes, and other details. Schedule a specific time for the bride and/or groom to get into their wedding outfit, and plan for any "first look" photos before the ceremony. Decide on the order of group photos, whether before or after the ceremony, and allocate time accordingly.
Venue and Locations
Scout your wedding venue for photo backdrops, including both the ceremony and reception spaces. If you have a dream location for your wedding photos, factor in travel time and plan for transportation. Discuss with your photographer and/or videographer the best times and locations to capture the magic of your special day.
Drone Photography and Videography
Consider incorporating drone wedding photography and videography to capture breathtaking aerial shots of your venue and surroundings. This can add a unique and modern touch to your wedding photos and videos.
Final Preparations
Before the ceremony, work with your photographer and/or videographer to ensure all the details are in place and ready to be captured. This includes the setup of the ceremony and reception spaces, as well as any final touches to your wedding look.
Remember, communication is key. Keep an open dialogue with your photographer and/or videographer to ensure your vision is brought to life, and don't be afraid to make adjustments as needed.
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Ceremony and procession
The ceremony is the main event of the day, usually lasting 30 minutes, though you can opt for a shorter or longer program. The procession marks the official start of the ceremony. The processional order can be adjusted to suit your preferences and family dynamics, but here is a general outline:
The officiant leads the procession, followed by the groom (or either partner in queer/non-binary couples, depending on who wants to go first). The groomsmen enter in pairs, followed by the best man and the groom, escorted by his parents. The bridesmaids then enter in pairs, followed by the maid of honor, flower girl(s), and ring bearer(s). Finally, the bride enters, escorted by her father or both parents.
For a Jewish wedding, the bride's party stands on the right, and the groom's party stands on the left. The ceremony takes place under a canopy structure called a chuppah, where the couple recites their vows. In a Hindu wedding, the groom's procession, or baraat, is a grand affair with live music and dancing.
Before the ceremony, the couple may sign a marriage contract, and the groom veils the bride's face in a tradition called bedeken. After the ceremony, the officiant pronounces the couple married, and they lead the recessional down the aisle, followed by the wedding party and family.
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Reception and catering
A wedding reception typically lasts four to five hours, with some couples extending this to six hours. The first hour of the reception will include a lot of formalities, such as the couple's grand entrance, and the first dance. During this time, the catering team will also be busy preparing the food and drinks.
The standard wedding reception is composed of a one-hour cocktail party and a four-hour reception with a dinner service. It is common to have a brief welcome speech or blessing by the couple's parents before dinner is served. During the cocktail hour, it is a good idea to sneak away for a quick bite to eat and some sunset photos. This is also a great time to capture more casual and candid photos with your guests.
After the first dance and the welcome speech, the dinner service can begin. It is important to start serving food as promptly as possible to ensure your guests are occupied and well-fed before the dance floor opens. Take a break from dancing to cut the cake, as it is considered acceptable to leave a wedding once the cake has been cut.
Towards the end of the reception, there may be some additional food served (often called 'the soak'), and the remaining wedding formalities will conclude the night. This may include a formal farewell by the couple and the throwing of the bouquet.
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First dance and final song
The first dance and final song are two of the most important musical choices for your wedding. The first dance, in particular, is a special moment that occurs just after you enter the reception as newlyweds, kicking off the dancing portion of the evening.
Choosing the First Dance Song
The song you choose for your first dance is an incredibly personal decision. Some couples opt for a slow ballad that feels romantic, while others prefer something more upbeat and lighthearted, reflecting their personalities. Tempo is not the only deciding factor; you might choose a song that holds a specific memory, or something entirely new and unique. You could also decide based on a particular genre, the lyrics, the pace of the song, or your ability to dance to it.
Some popular first dance songs include:
- "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley
- "At Last" by Etta James
- "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton
- "Life With You" by Kelsey Hart
- "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran
- "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
- "One Life" by James Bay
- "Fall Into Me" by Forest Blakk
Final Song of the Night
The final song of the night is also important, as it will be the last thing your guests remember before they leave. You might choose a sentimental number or something more upbeat to end the night on a high note.
Remember, the more detailed your wedding timeline is, the better. It is recommended that you finalize your wedding day timeline about a month before the date and confirm the timing again about a week before the wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding itinerary will ensure your big day runs smoothly and stays stress-free. It will help you keep on track and ensure everyone involved knows the plan, from your bridesmaids to your caterers.
The earlier, the better. It's a good idea to have a timeline to refer to at the beginning of your planning to share with your vendors. Finalise your itinerary about a month before the wedding and confirm the timing again a week before the day.
Your wedding itinerary should account for the full day, from getting ready until the last song of the night. Include hair and makeup times, the arrival of the photographer, the ceremony, reception, and any travel between venues. You can also add in times for eating, bathing, and getting dressed, as well as any photos you want to be taken.
You can break your day down into an hourly schedule, or you can plan by half-hour slots. You can also create checklists for each major stage of your planning. There are also free online templates you can use to help you format and print your itinerary.
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