Not having the time and space to relish every moment is among the most common wedding day regrets. After months or even years of wedding planning, you certainly deserve to enjoy your big day but, but without the right timeline in tow, the reality can be very different.
With the average UK wedding day starting between 1pm and 2.30pm, in theory, half of the day is already gone by the time you come to say “I do”. To help you make the most of every minute and enjoy your big day from start to finish, we’re here to share our top tips for devising the perfect order of the day.
Don’t over-plan!
While planning does indeed make perfect, over-planning can be a recipe for disaster when keeping your entire timeline on track. Here Hitched explains why leaving a little room to manoeuvre is important:
“The key to a smooth-running wedding day is planning. You don’t need a minute-by-minute schedule (that’s only more stressful!) but a basic structure of when you need to get ready, your arrival time at the ceremony, and when the wedding breakfast and speeches are will make you feel more in control and relaxed.”
Do your research
While nothing should be down to the minute – especially when it comes to the duration of those wedding speeches! – doing your research regarding how long things take in an ideal world will help.
Getting ready pre-wedding can take up to 3 hours, with many hair and makeup artists needing as much as 30 minutes each per bridesmaid. While most wedding ceremonies take around 30 minutes, that pre-ceremony photoshoot could take between 1 and 1.5 hours! You’ll even need to plan time for your wedding party entrance and reception exit.
Remember, when planning the timings of any aspect of your special day, it’s always better to allow extra time than to spare too little.
Don’t rely on the net
Online resources aren’t the only option for gaining perspective when devising a realistic wedding timeline. The Bourton Hall team has lots of experience supporting couples and coordinating their big days, and with a little help from us, you can devise an order of the day that works for your exact preferences and share it with the rest of your suppliers.
Do start early
Your order of the day shouldn’t begin from your wedding ceremony. You should include your morning-of preparations to ensure your entire day stays on track. By starting your timeline early, you’ll also be able to coordinate the timings of your wedding vendors (including your hair stylist, makeup artist, photographer, videographer and registrar) as well as your wedding party VIPs.
Leave extra time if you need to travel to your wedding venue, and don’t forget to include the essentials like eating breakfast, snacking and showering! These little tasks may seem rather insignificant in the grand scheme of your big day, but they are pretty important.
