Your wedding day timeline. It’s like magic!
I have taken the time to create an in-depth, step-by-step example timeline for all #CBPBrides, but since you’re here, have a look through it. It’s incredibly valuable and it will help you understand an example timeline if you are either doing a first-look or a non-first look timeline.
As you look through all of that, just tweak it as you see fit to make your wedding day flow as you want it to.
Wedding pro hack: Before anything else, figure out your ceremony time. Personally, I would recommend somewhere close to 5:00pm. This time would have your ceremony over by roughly 5:20-5:30 pm, the cocktail hour over by roughly 6:30pm, and your dinner served no later than 7:00pm. With this, you are still having you and your guests eating at a respectable dinner time, nobody is starving, and you aren’t having the ceremony too early either and having your lighting conditions be super poor.
On that note, it’s important to say that if you are having an outdoor ceremony, it’s strongly recommended that you do not have your ceremony any earlier than 5pm. While there are a lot of variables to take into consideration, the best light is traditionally later in the day. Do what you can to avoid that harsh overhead light.
If you have any control over where your ceremony is taking place outside as well, try to place your ceremony location where the sun will be directly behind the officiant’s back. This will give you the most flattering light for your ceremony photos.
Should you hire a wedding planner or stick with your venue coordinator?
Okay, so this subject is a bit of a controversial one depending on who you chat with, but you are here reading this ultimate wedding resource guide because you want the real opinions from my decade of experience. So, let’s get into it. I am not going to hold back.
Wedding planners: Worth their weight in gold. They are amazing – when you hire the right one. That said, egos and attitudes can run rampant. Find a planner that has the experience that can do the job right, and do it the way you want to do it. Not how they want to do it. And don’t let a planner tell you that you can’t have a wedding for under a certain dollar number. You can get married for the cost of a marriage license at the courthouse if that’s what it takes. Just find someone that you really respect based on the quality of weddings they produce, the reviews of their customers, and the personality they have throughout the experience. Do your due diligence. If you would like recommendations on the best wedding planners I know, I can certainly send you a short-list.
Day-of wedding coordinators: If you do not have the budget for a full planner, a day-of wedding coordinator should be your next best thing. Just please hire a pro and not your aunt who was ‘formerly a planner in a previous life’ or someone who ‘plans a lot of parties, so this should be the same thing.’ No. Just no. Your wedding day is a special day, and you want someone there by your side as your go-to person for all those questions that will come up. And as a day-of wedding coordinator, they can help manage those million moving pieces on your behalf so that you can just sit back and relax on your wedding day. And a professional day-of coordinator will be one step ahead of those million moving pieces because they have seen it all before – and often.
Day of coordinator versus venue manager/coordinator: Okay, so this is another big one. A venue manager/coordinator is not the same thing as a standalone wedding coordinator. A venue manager/coordinator is a person who is going to manage the events of the venue and to help ensure the venue details are set up as you wish. That said, the venue manager/coordinator will not be checking in with you on the morning of your wedding day, helping answer questions for you regarding hair and makeup or help you figure out solutions to problems at multiple stages of the day. That is, that’s my experience with venue managers for the most part. That said, standalone day-of wedding coordinators are much more hands-on with you throughout your day, and they can work seamlessly alongside the venue manager. They can work well as a team.
Final thoughts: I strongly urge you to think about having a wedding coordinator for your wedding day. They don’t have to be expensive, but they can certainly be incredibly helpful in creating a proper wedding timeline, helping you with your wedding rehearsal, answering tons of questions, helping ensure a smooth wedding day, and helping a multitude of other tasks and responsibilities throughout your wedding. They’re worth it.
Your wedding timeline & advice for different times of the year
Spring
In Lower Connecticut, it can be rainy one day, it can be sunny the next, and it can seem like the world is going to flood the day after that. The weather forecasters are notoriously wrong, so just be aware of the weather conditions this time of year. It can get crazy quickly. But if you have the right attitude, it can still certainly be absolutely gorgeous. I have personally photographed many, many weddings in Spring time and the high majority have been very lucky to have sun and warmth. And because they chose an off-season date, they got off-season rates. So, they saved money too! Just have those clear umbrellas handy in case the rain comes, and run with it. The wedding photographs will be gorgeous no matter what with the right photographer. The biggest thing that makes a gorgeous photograph is a happy couple and a great attitude. If you have that, you’re golden no matter the time of year.
Summer
The most popular dates for Connecticut, New York City, and The Hudson Valley weddings are in summer, hands down without question. And because of this, you have to book early. Don’t delay in booking your wedding photographer if you are truly wanting to book specific wedding professionals. I don’t mean that to sound like I am pressuring you at all, but it’s the real truth. The most popular wedding professionals are booked early, so don’t delay when booking your wedding team. It’s best to have a few dates in mind, contact your desired wedding photographers before booking your venue, and then doing your best to try and book those two main things nearly simultaneously. After that, things are seemingly easy to take care of. Because now those two most important things are locked in and taken care of. The rest is an easy street, especially when you have the right wedding pros on your side.
If for whatever reason that peak Saturday you want is already taken, you should consider having a Friday or Sunday wedding. Personally, I had a Friday wedding and absolutely loved it – and so did all of our wedding guests. Everybody loved the excuse to take a long weekend to themselves and come help us celebrate. Everybody showed up. And because we got married on a Friday, we saved money. It was a real win-win. (Note, not all wedding professionals will offer discounts for weddings on non-peak days, but it’s certainly something for you to consider as you plan your wedding day.)
If you are planning a summer wedding, take into consideration the heat, your clothing options (3-piece suits in 90-degree weather aren’t so comfortable), and other weather-related challenges.
Fall
I love fall. The air is crisp, nobody is sweating profusely, the trees are turning oranges, reds, and yellows, and it’s just a beautiful time of year. Honestly, I think it’s my favorite season. It’s cuddle season!
Winter
Plan for early portraits. And since you will most likely want to keep your ceremony time to around 4 or 4:30pm, that means you will have more flash photography involved in your wedding day and not a lot of those light, bright, and airy photographs you might find all over Pinterest. And you know what, that’s totally okay! With the right photographer, you will still get plenty of those early on in the day before the sun goes down. And then you can cuddle up with your husband by the fire during your reception, make some s’mores, have a bourbon, and dance the night away. If you are planning a winter wedding, my advice is to go all out with that winter aesthetic. Really play it up! Even look for wedding venues that might be covered in snow. Snow is a gorgeous thing to photograph and it looks pleasing in nearly every scenario. It’s super romantic, very unique, and incredibly beautiful. I love Winter!
Now, let’s talk about your wedding day and how to get the most out of it
The morning and getting ready
It’s finally your wedding day! WOOHOO!
By now, your wedding day details should all be figured out. And on your wedding day, there are a few basic things to help your day get kicked off on the right foot.
- Set the expectations with your bridesmaids that you are going to want to relax on your wedding day and you are going to want their help in achieving it (in a nice way, of course – haha).
- Have your bridesmaids hang the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses somewhere great before your photographer arrives.
- Have wood hangers or special-designed hangers for the dresses.
- Have your invitations, jewelry, shoes, and any other wedding day details set aside all together for your photographer to grab as soon as they arrive.
- Have a bottle of champagne and champagne glasses available for some toast shots, and think about having a secondary bottle there that’s a bit lower cost so you can shake it up & pop it! It makes for a really awesome photo, and it’s worth the $10 bottle you can get at the store! Do it!
- Consider having everyone in the same room so that everyone is on the same page and you can take advantage of the collective energy.
- Ask the makeup and hair artists to be done with everyone’s hair and makeup at least an hour before you are going to get into your dress. This is something that can easily be overlooked, but it’s an important part to remember.
- Be present. Be in the moment. Breathe it all in. The little details aren’t important. The most important thing is that you’re marrying the love of your life, and this day will be one of the most memorable days you’ll ever have.
First look & portraits
For those couples who want to take advantage of a first look, this time is an incredibly special time for the both of you. It’s a beautiful moment, and you two should spend this time alone without anyone else. Not even the wedding party should be here for this time. Just you two. Enjoy it!
Once the first look is over, then you can invite the wedding party in, take some bridal portraits, and start your day off the right way.
Once the first look and portraits are over, it’s a great time to hide away, get a little touch-up, and let your guests start arriving for the ceremony.
Pre-ceremony prep
When it’s about time for your guests to start arriving, this is a great time for you to be in the back, take a few minutes to relax, touch-up your makeup, and be present in the moment. Enjoy this time to yourself, and do not stress. You are about to marry your best friend, and it’s a truly special day.
Ceremony
Alright, it’s about that time. The nerves are kicking in, and you are just about to marry your best friend. This is such an exciting time for you two, and I am so happy for you!
Some quick things to remember before you walk down the aisle.
Take a deep breath, be in the moment, take it all in, and look around. Look at all of your guests smiling. Look at your friends. Look at your parents. Look at your spouse. Just be present, and take it all in. This is a really special day, and this moment will soon be one of the most incredible memories you have ever had. Enjoy every single second of it!
Take it slow walking down the aisle, and don’t worry about anyone else. This is your time, so take it all in.
And as you walk back down the aisle as husband and wife, this is a time for you to take that deep breath of relief. You did it! You got married! Now it’s time to celebrate and get the party started.
Family portraits
Right after the ceremony is the best time to take the family portraits. Everyone is right there, they are all together, and it’s just the easiest time to take care of it all. While it can seem like a lot, it’s going to go by fast.
Have a game plan of how you would like to take the family portraits, and give that list to your photographer beforehand. And have someone close to you help wrangle everyone and get them in position so you can get through the list quickly. The quicker you can get through the list, the more time you will have to spend with your friends and family and to enjoy the cocktail hour.
Cocktail hour
Cocktail hour is the best time for you to relax, take a break, enjoy some drinks, some snacks, and some conversations with your guests. It’s a great time to be present and take it all in.
Have a few hors d’oeuvres to keep you energized, and take some time to enjoy your new spouse. Take a moment, step away, and have some time just to yourselves. It’s really special, and you’ll love that moment together.
Reception
Alright, it’s time to get the party started!
Your reception is a time for you to celebrate with your friends and family, have an incredible meal, listen to some great toasts, and dance the night away.
Take a moment to thank your friends and family for being there with you and supporting you. It’s a truly special day, and having them there means the world.
Enjoy every single second of your reception, dance until your feet hurt, and make some incredible memories.
Grand exit
Your grand exit is a beautiful way to end the night. Whether it’s a sparkler exit, a bubble exit, or just a simple and sweet farewell, it’s a special moment for you two to enjoy.
Take it slow, hold hands, and enjoy that moment. You are married, you celebrated, and now it’s time to start the rest of your life together. Enjoy every single second of it!
I hope this guide has been incredibly helpful for you and that it has given you some great insight into planning your wedding day timeline. Enjoy your special day, and I wish you all the best!