As a multi-award-winning wedding planner working across the UK, part of my job is to handle the wedding planning timeline and logistics for my wedding planning clients. However, if you haven’t hired a wedding planner and are trying to figure out the best way to plan your wedding timeline, today’s blog should be the perfect fit for you!
Firstly, if you’re struggling for time, here’s the critical piece of wedding timeline planning advice you need – EVERYTHING takes longer than you think. Allowing some padding around each element of your wedding will ensure you have a leisurely morning and that your wedding guests can relax into the day.
Here are my top tips to help you avoid some common wedding timeline mistakes!
Wedding Planning Timeline Mistake 1 – Rushing the bridal preparations
It may come as a surprise that, depending on the size of your bridal party, wedding hair and makeup artists will want to start your bridal preparations at the crack of dawn. Whilst you may not fancy an early start on your wedding day, allowing your professional wedding suppliers to input into the wedding timeline, particularly for bridal preparations, will ensure you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the morning.
Wedding planning timeline mistake 2 – Not allowing time for transport
It seems daft, but always expect transport to take longer than you initially allow for. If, for example, you’ve arranged transportation for guests, you need to consider time for loading and unloading, rather than just the travel itself.
Also, remember, transport won’t always be able to park precisely where you would hope it could. For example, windy country lanes and churches with no parking will mean buses need to park further away than anticipated.
Wedding planning timeline mistake number 3 – Rushing your photographer
A great wedding photographer will always advise keeping group shots to a minimum. Not only are they lengthy to organise, but it also prevents your guests from truly relaxing at your wedding reception whilst they wait for their name to be called.
Having 4 or 5 group shots maximum will mean that minimal time will be spent assembling people into position, and keep in mind that by the time guests are where they need to be, 5-10 minutes could have already passed.
Wedding planning timeline mistake number 4 – Not allowing enough time for your wedding breakfast.
Each individual plated course will take approximately 30 minutes to serve, eat, and clear down as a general rule. Family style sharing platters will take a little longer. However, most caterers aim to leave a little time between each course so that the service isn’t rushed and your guests get to enjoy their meal.
Wedding planning timeline mistake 5 – Get your speeches right!
Let’s be honest; the very best wedding speeches are those that are short, sweet and pack a punch in a limited time. As a general rule, most people will speak around 130 words a minute, so if you want to keep your toast givers on schedule, ask them to ensure their speech is no longer than 500 words.
I hope this blog helps you to avoid common mistakes when planning your wedding timeline.
If you need advice and support with any wedding planning tasks, including planning your wedding timeline, please don’t hesitate to get in contact! As a multi-award-winning UK wedding planner, I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me at [email protected] or 0800 772 0765.
As an independent Wedding Planner, I’m not tied to recommending specific venues or suppliers, so you’ll always have access to the very best of the best across the industry, allowing us to produce a personal, unique wedding that’s designed just for you.
I don’t accept commission or referral fees from wedding venues or suppliers either, so you can always be sure that my recommendations are made with your very best interests at heart. You can keep up with all the One Curious Dream behind the scenes action and follow my adventures on Instagram.
