Help with "day of" timeline - Jamaica

Re: Help with "day of" timeline - Jamaica

• SwissMs member

  

  February 2017

  Talk to your photographer and ask for their recommendation on timing.  My photographer was really good about taking our still-in-flux timeline and letting us know her thoughts on timing of photos and when would be good times to get some in.
  
  Also, please don't forget about your guests during this time and be sure to host a nice cocktail hour (you may very well be - but since you didn't mention it, I couldn't not chime in!)

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• lnixon8 member

  

  February 2017

  Don't know how reliable this site is but it says February sunsets are closer to 6. I think I used the weather channels for my sunset photos.
  
  https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/jamaica/montego-bay
  
  I did as many photos ahead of time as possible but we had a large bridal party and wanted to do a first look in order to spend our cocktail hour with our guests.
  
  When you say reception do you mean dinner will be served? Not sure if your resort is all inclusive or if all your guests will be staying at the same resort but I hope they don't have to wait from 4:30- 6:00 with nothing to do (pay for drinks/food at the resort or wait dressed up by thge pool, since travel around Jamaica is not exactly the most reliable)
  
  
  

  
  
  

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• missfrodo member

  

  February 2017

  FraserWayWedding said:

  Hi everyone!
  I need some help with planning my timeline for wedding day. 
  I'm getting married on Feb 19 2018 at the Grand Palladium resort in Jamaica. The ceremony is at 4 pm, and will probably only last 20 to 30 min. Then they do a champagne toast afterwards. Reception is at 6 pm.
  The wedding specialist at the resort has booked the spa for hair/makeup for 1 pm. There is only 1 MOH, 1 BM, my mama and myself getting our hair and makeup done.
  The plan was to have the ceremony and then do our pictures during the time until the reception, but do you think this will be enough time? 
  I don't want to do a first look, but should we maybe try and do bride/bridesmaid and groom/groomsmen photos before the ceremony? Thoughts?
  It gets dark early in Jamaica and I want there to be enough sunlight for us to get good pictures. I'm estimating sunset will be around 630 in February? Does anyone have a better idea?
  Any help you have is appreciated. Thanks!

  I think a lot of it depends on how many pictures you want, how far you're going to go for them (are you staying at the ceremony site, or will you be moving around to get different shots), and how many people will be in the pictures, so I'd definitely follow up with your photographer.  If you're nervous about time, you might try:
  1-3 pm: Ladies' hair and makeup
  3-3:45pm: Formal shots of certain groups/family members, first look if you want to do that
  4-4:20pm: Ceremony
  4:20: Champagne toast
  4:25-6pm: Cocktail hour; get the formal shots you weren't able to get earlier in the day.  Bonus is that if you get done early with photos, you can join your guests!
  6pm: B&G join guests at reception--either kick off the party with dancing or serve dinner
  
  The most important thing is to make sure your guests are properly hosted from the minute the ceremony ends.  Aside from that, I would touch base with your hair/makeup artist to find out how long that will take, to make sure you can squeeze in some photo time there, and to touch base with your photographer and give them a list of formal shots you want, so they can let you know how long that part will take.  

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• ernursej member

  

  February 2017

  I would try and compress your cocktail 'hour' to no more than an hour. Most of the photos can be done ahead of time with just bride and groom and full family shots after the ceremony is done.

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• lyndausvi mod

  

  February 2017

  lnixon8 said:

  Don't know how reliable this site is but it says February sunsets are closer to 6. I think I used the weather channels for my sunset photos.
  
  https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/jamaica/montego-bay
  
  I did as many photos ahead of time as possible but we had a large bridal party and wanted to do a first look in order to spend our cocktail hour with our guests.
  
  When you say reception do you mean dinner will be served? Not sure if your resort is all inclusive or if all your guests will be staying at the same resort but I hope they don't have to wait from 4:30- 6:00 with nothing to do (pay for drinks/food at the resort or wait dressed up by thge pool, since travel around Jamaica is not exactly the most reliable)
  
  
  

   I lived in St Thomas it's the same latitude.  Sunset during that time was about 6. Not only that, do to Jamaica's latitude from the time the sun sat until it was completely dark it was only about 20 minutes.
  
  
  bold - I was wondering the same thing

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  

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• Knottie7582965 member

  

  February 2017

  Hi,
  
  Hair and make up is usually a two hour process. So I would suggest starting at 11:30 a.m. so you will be done 1:30 p.m. and get to your room and then you need at least one hour to get dressed. So you should be ready by 3:00 p.m. and do your first look and then head to the ceremony. The break between the ceremony and reception should really not be more than 1.5 hours maximum. But I know the scheduling at the resort. You can do a nice cocktail hour with entertainment and do pics with your guests to keep them entertained. Hope this helps.

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• cowgirl8238 member

  

  March 2017

  Here is my suggestion: Tell your photographer that you have between 4:30 and 6 to do all the larger group shots (i.e. Entire wedding party, entire family, B&G portraits).  If you are staying near the ceremony/reception space this is even better, if not a lot for any travel time. Determine how much time (if any) is needed before the ceremony starts.  Then check with the spa and see how long it will take for all hair and make-up to be done.  If you require many hours, consider throwing in a lunch/snacks for the people you are getting ready with so they don't starve! 

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  My timeline was as follows:

  7am: Bride, Moms, BP arrive at salon to have hair and make-up done (voluntary but still my treat).

  9:30am: Groom, Dads, GM arrive at venue (all one space) and begin getting dressed.  Snack trays placed out for WP/whoever to snack if needed.

  9:30am: Photographer arrives at venue takes formals with G, his GM, his family

  10:00am: Bride arrives with remaining BP (some people left earlier once they were done).  Photographer takes "getting ready" shots and all formals of Bride, BP, and Family.

  10:30am: WP goes back into rooms before ceremony starts.

  11:00am:  Processional begins

  11:30am:  All married.  Bride and Groom go off for formals while Guests/WP/Parents go inside for cocktail hour munchies.

  12:00pm:  WP called out for group photos.

  12:15pm: Family called out for group photos.

  12:30pm: Grand Entrance, Spotlight Dances, Lunch

  1:30pm: Cake cutting

  5:00pm: Reception End

  ---

  Having a list of all your shots desired handed in to your photographer before hand is super helpful in streamlining everything.   Also you didn't mention any cocktail hour, but your guests should be fully hosted from the moment your ceremony ends to the end of the reception.

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