Hello everyone!  Last weekend I actually did a poll over on my facebook page asking you guys what you would like to read about in this week’s blog post.  The majority of you voted for tips on nailing the wedding day timeline!

I remember when I was planning my wedding back in 2014.  I was clueless!!  So, tonight I am sharing a blog post about nailing the wedding day timeline!

1. In order to nail your wedding day timeline you first have to create one!  I believe that without a physical timeline of when things are supposed to happen, the day will not run smoothly.  But, don’t worry!  There are plenty of resources out there to help you create a wedding day timeline!  Did you know I create a timeline for every couple I work with?
2. Consider travel time when creating your timeline.  On your wedding day, even 5 minutes can make a big difference, so if it takes you 10 minutes to get from location to the next, it can throw off the timeline.  So, be sure to include this in your timeline.
3. Have all of your bridal details gathered in one place on the morning of your wedding day.  This allows me to immediately get to work when I arrive, and it allows you and your bridesmaids to be exactly where you need to be, instead of searching for your invitation, shoes, jewelry, etc for me to photograph.
4. Make sure you have enough makeup artists and hairstylists.  Since hair and makeup are the first things completed on wedding day, it’s easy for this to be the part of the day where things fall behind.  (The most important person’s hair and makeup is your own, though.  As long as we can get your hair and makeup done on time, we can put on your dress and begin your bridal portraits while others are finishing without messing up the timeline.  This is one secret way I stay on schedule even if hair and makeup are falling behind.)
5. Allow more time than you think for just about every part of the day.  You never know when something will take a little longer than anticipated, so it doesn’t hurt to create a little buffer room!
6. Ask your florists to have your flowers ready as early as possible.  If the flowers are ready when I arrive, I can include them in your bridal detail shots.  But, the most important thing is that they are ready for your bridal portraits and a first look (if you’re having one.)
7. Let me see those boutonnieres!  For some reason, the guys also forget to put on their boutonnieres.  Timeline is on schedule, we are ready to take their photos, and then no one has their boutonnieres on.  We usually run around pinning them on.  But, one way to save a few moments is to have the best man and maid of honor make sure the guys do this BEFORE we come around for portraits!
8. Send a finished timeline to the bridal party and family members involved!  Send the completed timeline to everyone involved so the know when and where they need to be.  They can even set the timeline as their wallpaper on the phone so they always know what should be happening without bothering the bride.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask your vendors for help!  You are probably planning a wedding for the first time, but your vendors have done this dozens or hundreds of times.  We are happy to help you come up with the perfect timeline and answer any questions you may have!
10. RELAX!  I do my best to play my part in keeping wedding days on schedule as best as possible, but weddings run behind sometimes.  It just happens.  I tell my brides that the wedding doesn’t start until you walk down the aisle.  Even if things don’t happen perfectly on time, it will be ok.  This is still your wedding day, and you will be married at the end of it!  So try not to sweat it too much!

Good luck with planning!