Creating a wedding timeline for your West Michigan wedding is no easy task, and there are many things to consider. Here are a few steps to help you get started!
Month: Consider the time of year, particularly if you are having an outdoor ceremony (which is by far the most popular option). For example, mid-day temperatures around noon may be something to plan for in July, and the sun may be setting in the fall for a 5:00 ceremony. And you definitely want to know the anticipated time of sunset for golden hour photos!
Photos: Solo portraits, and formal portraits with attendants can (and should) be done well ahead of the ceremony. If a first look is planned, formal portraits with your beloved can also be done ahead of time. Cocktail hour photos typically include close family, and the entire bridal party. Speak to your photographer for ideas!
Getting ready: Compare the number of seats available in your suite to the number of people who will be part of the glam squad to determine the amount of time you'll need to set aside to get ready. The NUMBER ONE mistake made here is to hire only one single person to get everyone's hair or make-up done. Preparing hair and make up one person at a time will be tedious for everyone, and it takes forever.... Do yourself a favor and hire multiple people to get your bridal party ready. Your venue provides multiple spots for getting ready simultaneously so that you can have the best experience, so take advantage of this! The last thing you want is to wake up extra early on an already long and stressful day, and then expect to have everyone sitting around for hours on end so that one stylist can get only one person ready at a time. Hire more help!
Dinner: There are many traditions at a wedding that a couple will want to observe on their special day. Consider a more modern approach to scheduling by handling some of those traditions before dinner, not after. For example, as you walk into your ceremony, why don't you immediately flow into your first dances! If there are other traditions to observe, think about how they can be incorporated before dinner so that dancing can begin immediately following dinner.
Cake: Cut your cake early enough in the evening for everyone to have an opportunity to share this tradition with you. Some couples put this off until much later in the evening, but try to incorporate it as you open the floor for dancing so that anyone exiting early can still share in the memory of this moment.
Here is a very simple example of a wedding timeline that can be tailored to your event.
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Get Glam!
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Groom & groomsmen portraits
1:00 p.m - 1:30 p.m Bride & bridesmaids portraits
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. First Looks, bridal party portraits
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Bridal party photos wrap up, everyone gets ready for ceremony
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Ceremony
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour (couples portraits)
5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. First Dances
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Dinner is served
6:00 p.m - 6:30 p.m. Toasts & speeches
7:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Cake cutting & open the dance floor!
8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Golden Hour (sunset) photos
10:00 p.m. Grand exit and the end of the reception.
Every wedding day timeline looks just a little bit different, and with some thought, you'll be able to put together a very unique timeline tailored to your specific needs. To talk about how we may be able to help you plan your very special wedding day, contact us today for a tour! belltowerfalls.com
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Here is a shoutout to other locally owned wedding venues around the country!
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