Timeline for the wedding day?

ddumire

I'm trying to fill out the contract for my photographer, but she's asking for a timeline of the day, and what time she should arrive.My ceremony is scheduled to start at 4:30pm and the Cocktail hour will start at 6pm.  The reception goes until 11pm.  What time would I need to start getting hair and make up done?  I only have three bridesmaids and my hair dresser/make up artist will be on site for the wedding.What do you think?  The photographer includes up to 8 hours.  Our reception will start off with the first dance, cake cutting is after our salad course.

maggiecroteau

Our ceremony is starting at 5:30, but we pretty much have a similar time frame--cocktail hour starts at 6 and reception goes until 11.  I have 4 bridesmaids so you can probably start a little later than we are.  This is the schedule my wedding planner sent me--keep in mind we are having pictures before the ceremony so we can enjoy the cocktail hour: 8:30 am - Bridesmaid 1 - Hair 9:30 am - Bridesmaid 2 - Hair 10:30 am - Bridesmaid 3 . Hair 11:00 am - Joanne arrives to set-up for Make-up 11:15 am - Bridesmaid 1 . Make-up 11:30 am - Bridesmaid 4 - Hair 11:45 am - Maggie Make-up 12:30 pm - Maggie Hair Bridesmaid 2 . Make-up 1:00 pm - Bridesmaid 3 . Make-up Ambrosia delivers Personal Flowers to 3 Chimneys 1:30 pm - Maggie getting dressed Everyone done and getting dressed Touch-ups if necessary 2:00 pm - Ready for photos Trolley departs from 3 Chimneys . currently scheduled to arrive at 1:30 (need to change) 2:30 pm - Trolley arrives at Prescott Park for photos 3:30 pm - Trolley departs Prescott Park . Photos complete 4:00 pm - Trolley arrives at 3 Chimneys . currently scheduled for 3:30 (need to change) Photos at 3 Chimneys 4:30 pm - Photos complete . Bridal Party freshens up Food & Drink available for Party 5:00 pm - Guests start arriving Men ready to seat guests 5:30 pm - Ceremony Begins 6:00 pm - Ceremony Ends Cocktail Hour Begins Matty B begins playing 6:50 pm - Guests begin finding their seats 7:00 pm - End of Cocktail Hour/Beginning of Reception 7:10 pm - Maggie & Matt . First Dance 7:15 pm - Maggie.s Dad Welcome 7:20 pm - Maggie.s Sister Toast 7:25 pm - Best Man Toast 7:30 pm - Dinner begins 8:30 pm - End of Dinner approximately 8:45 pm - Cake Cutting Maggie & Father Dance Matt & Mom Dance 10:45 pm - Bar closes 11:00 pm - End of Reception Photography ends

Gabs71109

Destiny - It is very unreasonable for your photographer to want a timeline this far out. I think a rough idea is more than enough but you won't know how long hair and makeup will take until you have your trials. Also, do you plan on taking an formal pictures before the ceremony? I would give her *rough* times and then plan on firming them up MUCH closer to thr wedding. My ceremony was at 5:30 but DH and I did a "reveal shoot" at 4:00 PM so I had to be ready by then. I started hair at 11sm. My reception went until 11. Just remember that you won't need your photogrpher after 9:30 (maybe earlier)Also - I wanted some shots of me getting my hair and makeup done but my photographer was able to "stage" some of those shots. So don't feel like she has to be there the second you sit in your hair dresser's seat. It worked out really well. GL!

maggiecroteau

Just to clarify--our photographer is not coming until 10:30 or 11:00 am to start shooting anything even though we are getting ready beforehand--but we have to be ready by 1:30 so we can head to Portsmouth for pictures.  Also, our photgrapher is staying until the end of the reception--but that is just  how she does things--not all photographers stay that long. 

chayer227

I agree with Gabs, way too early to expect you to have this nailed down.  I'm 2.5 months out and still haven't figured it out...  maybe try to figure out a general time frame so she knows what portion of her day to block off, but any more than that is not going to be accurate. 

ddumire

Thanks everyone, I was really surprised to even have to think about that at this point.  I guess that is what I get for trying to to get everything done so early!  Thanks for your suggestions.  I told her I'm estimating 2pm to 10pm.