Wedding timeline HELP!

lucylamb · April 2012

Hi there,

I am having a wedding August 10th, 2012, and just need help with the timing of a wedding.

It is a friday wedding, but we do not want a late ceremony.

We want the ceremony to start at about 2 or 3 ? (most of our guests are from out of country, so no worries on getting time off work on the friday!)

So, after the ceremony, we will be getting our pictures taken (how long does this take?)

then, we will be having a buffet style, but still sit down dinner.

the ceremony and reception are at the same location.

we will be having a cake cutting at the beginning of dinner (so the photographer can leave!)

then we will be having a dance at the same location..

just wonderin if someone could wrtie me up a reasonable timeline? I am getting lost of differnet input from family and frineds...but just wondering what you grls think!

also, its not a catholic ceremony, so it will be 30 minutes.

bunni727 · April 2012

Is there a reason you are set on the time? If you are okay with declines of people that would need to take off work, then I don't think it is neccessarily too early for that reason. I would be worried that if you plan on going later in the night with your dancing, people may start to get hungry again before your reception is over.

I would start the ceremony at 3:30, have cocktail hour/pictures from 4-5, then cut your cake and start dinner at 5.
OR
Start ceremony at 3:30, open the buffet at 4 so your guests can be eating if you aren't doing cocktail hour, then you can cut the cake when you arrive after pictures at around 5.

These options still seem a little early for a full dinner, but better than 3 or 4.

lucylamb · April 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_wedding-timeline-help-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:d874685f-b812-4f31-b769-891b25c6b207Post:cebb133b-0988-41e5-a87a-ebe9b9f8e1f9">Re: Wedding timeline HELP!</a>:
[QUOTE]Is there a reason you are set on the time? If you are okay with declines of people that would need to take off work, then I don't think it is neccessarily too early for that reason. I would be worried that if you plan on going later in the night with your dancing, people may start to get hungry again before your reception is over. I would start the ceremony at 3:30, have cocktail hour/pictures from 4-5, then cut your cake and start dinner at 5. OR Start ceremony at 3:30, open the buffet at 4 so your guests can be eating if you aren't doing cocktail hour, then you can cut the cake when you arrive after pictures at around 5. These options still seem a little early for a full dinner, but better than 3 or 4.
Posted by bunni727[/QUOTE]

<div>Im not really est on the time, i guess i just do not want a 6 or 7 pm ceremony:)</div><div>
</div><div>id like the supper to start at 5 , so that works!</div>

Ividian · April 2012

I am having a quick ceremony as well, and the timeline we have decided on is to have the ceremony start at 4:30, have pictures/cocktail hour from 5-6, then have us introduced, do first dance and start dinner by 6:15, followed by cake, parent dances and then music and dancing until 11. An hour between end of ceremony and start of reception is a good amount of time.

lucylamb · April 2012

the photographer just got back to me, he said it will be 90-120 minutes for pictures....

HobokensFury · April 2012

Just a question. What will your guests be doing while you take photos? Will you be having a cocktail hour?

FluffyGumDrop · April 2012

If you're planning on having a first dance, you might want to consider doing it as soon as the two of you make your entrance to dinner since the photographer is going to leave after the cake cutting.

lucylamb · April 2012

good idea about the first dance, i forgot about that.

and as for what the guests will be doing while we are getting photos....hm... any suggestions on that?

We will have a popcorn machine, which will be started, just outside our beach house, on the porch (because of the smell). it will be started during photos, and then avail. after reception...

any ideas for what the guests should do during photos would be great...i didnt know it would take that long for photos...

FluffyGumDrop · April 2012

Normally guests eat light snacks/apps and drink something; doesn't have to be alcohol but as long as there's some snacks and beverages most people tend to mingle and nibble.

You mentioned you'll be at a beach house, will it be right on the beach? If you think people would want to walk up and down the beach perhaps give them snacks in to go packages so they can take in the scenery? Otherwise just make sure they'll have somewhere to sit and nibble on some food.

rlguerri · April 2012

I've been struggling with the same thing, we are starting our ceremony at 1 to avoid afternoon showers but I'm really worried that was too early. With parking and getting everyone to the site I think we won't start til at least 1:30 though.

Here's my plan so far

1:30ish ceremony starts
2:30ish Pics, guests will go to the reception (same place) for cocktails, appetizers and lawn games, bridal party will finish any set up needed while we are doing our pictures
4:00ish dinner, toasts, etc
5:30ish cake
6:00, dances, B&G, family, etc.
6:30ish dancing, drinking,etc.
8:30ish bouquet toss, garter toss
12:00 B&G depart

I don't expect a lot of people will stay past 9, but our friends like to party so they will stay long after we leave. I'm mostly worried that it starts too early and ends up being a lot of time. We have a lot of out of town guests though so I'm guessing they will be ok spending time with friends and family....I hope at least!

emidle2008 · April 2012

Here's our timeline, if it helps.

8 - Wake up, shower, breakfast

9 - Salon with BMs

Noon - pick up lunch and head to church

1 - Photog arrives at church to start taking pictures (me with BM, GM, and fam. same with FI)

3:30 - ceremony starts

4:15 - Ceremony ends, start receiving line

4:45 - Receiving line ends, guests head to reception, BP and fam sticking around for more pictures

5 - Cocktail hour starts for non-WP guests

6 - Buffet dinner is served

7 - Cake cutting and toasts

7:30 - First dance, Anniversary Dance followed by dance party!

12 - Reception ends.

misscrafty84 · April 2012

I agree about not starting until 3-3:30. Otherwise it just makes it such a long day for your guests.

Wedding timeline HELP!

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