First Dance + Mini dance set, wedding reception timeline. It's important to note that this wedding calendar also assumes that the ceremony and reception will be held at the same venue, meaning that guests won't have to travel to another location for the party before cocktail hour begins. If you're hosting your wedding reception in a different location, be sure to add the travel time, taking into account the time it will take for guests to arrive at the festivities following the ceremony. Here's an example of an outline for the big day that you can use to create your wedding schedule.
The start time of the ceremony listed on the wedding invitations is really just for the guests; for everyone else (the couple, the wedding party, and many of the vendors), the big day starts much earlier than indicated on the invitation. Ultimately, this time will depend on the number of people getting their hair and makeup done, but the start time usually works at 11 in the morning for an average group of bridesmaids. If you are planning a wedding with two bride and groom or you are not going to need formal hairdressing and makeup services, you can eliminate this question of your schedule. Conversely, if you have a larger group of women who need hair and makeup services, you may need to start earlier.
Your stylists and makeup artists can help you determine what time this process should begin. The bridesmaids (as well as the mother of the bride and any other VIP person in the bridal suite) should be dressed and ready for when the bride is ready and groomed. In this way, all of them can appear in the background in the photos in which the bride appears getting dressed. If you want those super cute photos of everyone together in matching tunics, pencils after hair and makeup, but before the bridesmaids put on their dresses. A boyfriend will put the finishing touches on his look for the big day by tying his tie and having someone place his eyelet for the camera.
Once you're fully dressed and ready, the photographer will focus on capturing some beautiful portraits and detailed photographs in previously explored locations around your venue. This will be done by both partners on their own. These photos are meant to be informal and fun, capturing the moments of celebration between the couple and their closest friends. If you want to take special photos, such as toasting champagne, make sure you have the accessories ready (clean flutes, for example). At a wedding with the bride and groom, the bride will take photos with her bridesmaids, while the groom will be photographed with his groomsmen.
The first look (optional) is a special moment when you and your partner see each other for the first time, away from the hundreds of eyes that will watch you exchange vows during the ceremony. If you choose to take a first look, this is an ideal period of time for your photographers to capture some intimate portraits of the two of you alone in previously explored locations around your venue. If you don't choose to take a first look before the wedding, that's also when you usually take pictures together, as well as family portraits and portraits with the entire bridal party. Let your guests know that it's time to go to the dining room if you're not already there and sit down.
The first two toasts on the wedding reception calendar are considered welcome toasts and are usually offered by the parents or a family member of the newlyweds (traditionally, the father of the bride speaks first) .The first thing is to cut the cake, followed by mixing the bouquet and the garter (if those are the traditions you follow). It's also a good time for newlyweds to say a few words and thank their guests for coming. A first look will surely allow you and your partner more time (and freedom) on the big day. Planning a first visit hours before the ceremony ensures that the couple and the bridal party have time to take all of the photos traditionally taken during cocktail hour.
This is especially useful for evening weddings where natural light is needed to take pictures. A traditional wedding reception schedule generally follows a specific order of events. It usually starts with cocktail hour. If you've taken all of your wedding photos before the ceremony, this is a great time to enjoy drinks and light snacks with your guests. If you choose not to take a first look and take photos before the ceremony, this time is usually when the newlyweds and their wedding parties take pictures with their photographer.
Some couples choose to include guests after having just a minute or two of their first solo dance. This gives an opportunity to replenish energy between all the guests and the wedding party before everyone sits down to dinner. If you want a shorter reception, there are many parts that can be eliminated from the traditional wedding schedule. Some people eat muffins instead of a wedding cake to reduce cutting and serving time, or eliminate cocktail time before dinner, special dances, or toast. Keep in mind that traditional wedding etiquette dictates that it's acceptable to abandon the wedding once the cake has been cut, so it's best to perform this formality after all the other key moments of the night.
Since you are not going to have dinner with anyone seated, the first dance is followed by speeches and toasts. At less traditional weddings, some guests may make toasts, although it's recommended to keep it short before dinner. When planning your wedding with your planner, don't hesitate to sit down and create a schedule together. Distributing toasts helps keep guests engaged and engaged while they're dining, and helps maintain the wedding atmosphere until the next event.
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but one of the most important aspects that is often overlooked is the wedding reception schedule. Things are going to come up, but a planner will alleviate stress so you can focus on the most important aspect of the day: enjoying being a newlywed. This may be preceded by an announcement by the members of the wedding party, depending on the couple's choices for their wedding. At some religious weddings, the ceremony may take place in the morning or early afternoon, and the reception will take place after dinner.
One of the biggest advantages of this calendar is the fact that newlyweds can choose to have their first dance at any time during the reception.
