The Sometimes-Dreaded Wedding Day Timeline! It’s really not that bad, and you just need to know where to begin!

We got you!

Something I have a lot of couples ask, and I help them with, is the timeline. You want something that works with your vision and captures all the important parts of your day. In the prior blog, we talked about First Look v Tradition (click HERE to read) of seeing each other for the first time when you go down the aisle, but this can play a part in the timeline format.

I want to share with you how I help clients build their timelines for their big day. Let's break it down on how we handle the timeline for the day of.

We start with the time they would like to get married. Most couples in the Summer and Fall months will opt to get married at 4-4:30 time. It is "good luck" and an old wise tale to get married with the big hand going up. We stick with that and usually do 4 pm Guest arrival and 4:30 ceremony. In the winter months, we usually do a 2 or 3 pm start.

The next question to ask yourself is the time your venue allows in the space. Our venue, The Postmark, permits different blocks of time, 9 or 12, depending on whether you want to take advantage of the amazing bridal suite and groom's lounge to relax and get ready. The most common time people use is the 12-hour block. This allows you to come in 5 hours before your guest's arrival, bring your hair and make-up team in, and enjoy one or several mimosas in the bridal suite. You don't have to worry about the timeline once you get in the space. We take care of that!

If you go with the most common, you will begin access with a 4 pm guest arrival at 11 am. As mentioned, if you choose to use our space or your venue’s space for getting ready, that's when you would bring in all your best girls and unload to start your pamper session for your big day.

11am-4pm

During the 5 hours, 11 am-4 pm; this is when your vendors will also begin arriving on-site. At The Postmark, we will have all your tables and chairs set along with linens when you arrive. You will want to check and see what details you must do to get set up for your event with your particular venue.

Your day-of coordinator at The Postmark will make sure as the vendors hired arrive; we will make sure they know where to go so that you can enjoy a non-interruption stress-free morning. 🥂🥂🥂

2 pm: First Look

If you choose to do a first look, this is usually the time we recommend doing that so that you have time to get pictures done before guest arrival. You can do first look with your future husband or wife, and then if your parents (dad in particular), it's common to do that too.

4 pm: Guest Arrival

After all the details are in place, and it's your guest arrival time. Guest will start to come in and drop gifts/cards off and sign your guest book before the ceremony.

4:30 pm: Ceremony

Once everyone is seated, our team will begin to line your bridal party up as we did for rehearsal the night before. We highly recommend hiring a planner if you don't have a day-of coordinator or a professional DJ to handle this portion of your event! This usually begins about 20m after guest arrival (4:20 for this scenario) so that at 4:30 or as close to 4:30, you the bride make the grand entrance down the aisle to say "I do" to your best friend. The ceremony usually takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes, sometimes if it's a more formal ceremony up to an hour. We will go with the 30m ceremony, time for this timeline.

5 pm: Cocktail Hour

The guest will begin the transition to cocktail hour. The guest usually has an hour to grab drinks and enjoy some appetizers. You usually can complete pictures if you did the first look or do the pictures if you did traditional in this timeframe. MOST times, it takes an hour but this is also up to your photographer. The venue can adjust the timeline if needed, and something runs longer than expected. Pictures are important, and you usually spend quite a bit on them, so you want to make sure your photographer isn't rushed and can take the time to capture the moments; after all, this is what you have for years to come to relive the special day.

6:10pm: Introductions

Let's celebrate you and your fiance'!!! DJ will usually take over at this point. We include a highly professional DJ and emcee with our packages, Turn Up Columbus! They will work with you, in the beginning, to make sure they are completely prepared to make a memorable night and so you can tear up the dance floor!! You will get lined up as a party at this point, and you are introduced into the crowd after your bridal party makes their entrance! You are the newlyweds after all and that's why everyone is here!!

6:20: First Dance or Welcome Speech/Blessing

You really have two options here. The most popular option to happen at this time is the first dance. You just were introduced, and all the attention is on you, so most couples opt to do the first dance here before dinner. You also can move to your seats after the intros and save this dance for after dinner. If you don't do your first dance, you can do a welcome speech or the DJ can announce what's going to happen next. It's very important to hire someone that not only plays the music but will guide you through the evening. Our team at The Postmark takes a huge part in this to make sure you aren't thinking about what is going to happen but you know it's handled and taken care of.

6:30: Dinner

The catering team usually steps in here and will dismiss tables per your VIP tables first. Yes, you as a couple will be guided through first, and then your bridal party will follow, and then the VIP tables with parents or grandparents before the other guest. Usually, this dinner portion takes about 30 minutes for the catering team to get through, but could be a few longer.

✨✨SIDE NOTE: Remember the timeline is flexible and can be moved around, as it's flexible but the point of the timeline is to make sure all the things that are important to you get done, and you aren't left cutting cake 5 minutes before your reception ends. It's also again important to have a coordinator on-site like we do because we will guide you through the timeline and try and keep you on track as we can to make sure you aren't doing cake last minute and you end the evening dancing!

7 pm: Toast

This is where those funny speeches come into play. Some dread these toast and they end up needing a little alcohol to help smooth their nerves but they get through it. Some are short and sweet, others are very memorable with a story no one knows but your best man or maid of honor. We've seen some really great ones from when the best man rapped his speech to a bridesmaid and the maid of honor created poems for the couple.

7:15: Cake

This is when the couple goes over to cut the cake. Our staff guides you through this process. The photographers will be there as well to make sure they can catch that "sweet feeding of the cake" to the smashing of the cake in each other’s face. Don't worry, though; we will have a towel ready for you to clean up! Don't forget that kiss, with all the icing on your face. Makes for a sweet picture. Don’t worry about cutting and serving the cake either, and we will take care of that detail too!

7:25: First Dances

First dances begin here. If you didn't opt to do the first dance as a couple before, this is where it goes, followed by the father/daughter dance tradition and the mother/son dance. We have seen other dances come here, depending on those with who you want to share them.

7:35-7:40 pm: Open that Dance Floor!

Let's party!

Dance the night away and celebrate you as a couple. Some start this with an anniversary dance or the snowball dance to fill the dance floor. Usually, there's about a 2-2.5 hour window of dancing. That's an almost perfect time for your dancing. Break out some of your favorite sing-along songs like Don't Stop Believin’ by Journey (you might catch me singing this or the classic air guitar) or Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. To the Cupid Shuffle or Wobble, or the new famous TikTok dances.

This part is where the time you spent building the must play and don't playlist with your DJ is important. The music really is a way to show what's important to you as a couple, and you know the guest best on what's going to get them up and dancing!

9:55 pm: Wrapping up the best night ever with that perfect last dance song!

10 pm: Lights up, Closing Time. ** Cue Song** 🎼🎼🎤

"Closing time, one last call for alcohol, So, finish your whiskey or beer. Closing time, you don't have to go home, But you can't stay here”— a classic sing-along

You would need to check with your venue on your responsibility before leaving. The Postmark asks you to get your stuff and walk out. Another way we take care of you.

11 pm: Exit the venue!

Enjoy a drink with friends or turn in for the night before you take off for your honeymoon.

Here's a recap of the timeline for you:

11 am Access

2 pm First Look

4 pm Guest Arrival

4:30 pm Ceremony

5 pm Cocktail Hour

6:10 Introductions

6:20 First Dance OR Welcome Speech/Blessing over Dinner (Optional)

6:30 Dinner

7 pm Toast

7:15 pm Cake

7:25 First Dance or Other First Dances

7:35 Open Dance Floor

9:30 Last Call

10 pm End of Event

11 pm Exit

We hope this helps you with building your perfect timeline for your wedding reception. We handle building this for you on your big day and taking care of it, so you don't have to think twice about what comes next.

--Destiny 💜💜💜

All pictures from this post are from Logan Detty Photography from a recent wedding reception we held with all COVID guidelines. Click HERE to see Sarah and Ryan’s full gallery of pictures, engagement photos, and all! Logan and his crew are amazing and a perfect fit for your wedding or any event.