Five Of The Biggest Mistakes You Can Make With Your Wedding Day Timeline
Wedding Timeline Mistakes
Over the years and the many timelines I’ve created for clients, there are a few key things that I know should always be considered when making the schedule for the day. Below I’ve listed five of the biggest mistakes you can make with your wedding day timeline. These are things that can easily go over someones head who’s not a wedding professional and familiar with the flow of a wedding day. Not only can these mistakes throw off your whole day, but some of them could end up costing you extra money. Wedding planners and coordinators know wedding day timelines inside and out which is why it’s such an anxiety reliever and confidence booster to work with one!
Not padding the timeline
This is definitely the #1 biggest mistake you can make with your wedding day timeline. I know what you’re thinking, do I really need 30 minutes to get into my wedding dress? No, but you likely want pictures of a loved one or friend helping you dress, those shoes may be tricky to buckle, and you definitely will want some dramatic solo photos of you in your wedding dress glory. Having toasts? They tend to always go longer than planned which if not accounted for will leave you rushing to get in a few dances before the party’s over. As your wedding planner we know all the points throughout the day that will need a little extra padding and will schedule the day accordingly.
Not taking travel time into account
Always include travel time into the schedule. Is the getting ready location 20 minutes from the venue? Better plug in at least 30 minutes in case there is traffic. Are guests traveling on a shuttle to the venue? That time needs to be accounted for so that your guests are at the venue in time for the ceremony to start. Missing this key piece in your wedding day timeline could throw off the whole schedule so don’t forget it!
Not factoring clean up time into your venue rental period
Many wedding venues in Los Angeles have a specific rental period. A big mistake that can really screw up your final bill is not factoring clean up time into the end of the night. Venues will pretty much always charge you if you go over your rental period. When you work with a planner we time out the entire day from load in to load out and make sure we stay within the contracted time period. A planner will work with your vendors to account for the time each of them needs to get in, do their job, and get out on time.
Not coordinating photo timing with your photographer
This is SO important to ensure you get all the photos you want and are not late to any of the wedding day events. Winging it with your photographer could result in poor timing making you late to your ceremony or reception, or even missing out on important photos you really wanted on the day.
Photographers who know weddings will know exactly how much time they need in the schedule to snap all the pics on your list and still have time for photos of guests enjoying the party, and all the pretty detail shots too!
Hear it straight from a pro photographer we love, Jaclyn Szabo:
“Communicating about the wedding day timeline with your photographer and wedding planner is essential. It is our job to make sure you can be as present as possible on your big day to enjoy all the beautiful moments of your wedding. Coordinating with your photographer ahead of time will ensure that you get all the photos you want and that you get the best light possible. Timing really is everything on a wedding day and it goes by so fast so getting that extra help from your planner and photographer is key and we can help guide you and put your mind at ease.”
5. Not having a getting ready schedule for the bridal party
Planning out the hair and makeup schedule for the wedding party is important to make sure there is sufficient time for everyone to get ready and BE READY to leave for the venue, take photos, or whatever is next on the timeline. As a planner, I will work with the hair and makeup team to time this out and make sure we have the right block of time before the wedding events begin. Time for sipping mimosas is always included!
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all of this info? Working with a planner or coordinator will ensure every arrival, potential delay, and timing of events is accounted for so you will have a smooth and streamlined day. Leave your wedding day timeline in the hands of an expert so you can rest assured that it’s handled. Click here to learn more about our planning and coordination service or say hello if you are ready to chat more about your wedding day.
Photos in this post: Jordan Galindo, Ana Delores, Justin Jay