Tips For Wedding Planners: 5 Things You MUST Add To Your Wedding Day Timeline
If you count my wedding, I've been a wedding planner for 15 years. You can learn a lot in 15 years. During my wedding the only thing I learned was that I like planning weddings. Oh, and that you can rent wedding gowns. I've learned a ton more since then, as you can imagine, especially about the day itself. Here are five really important things you, as a planner, should add into your wedding day timeline:
- Give everyone an hour between the end of styling (hair and makeup, bride gets into her dress) and when the wedding party leaves for the ceremony. No one is ready to hop into the limo the minute they get dressed. You've got to get your stuff, touch up, go to the bathroom, make sure you have your stuff, assemble in one place, and then jump into the limo. Think about how long it takes you to leave your house after you get dressed. Now, multiple that by 10+ people and their mothers.
- The first guests are going to arrive 30 minutes before the stated ceremony time on the invitation. I've coordinated close to 300 weddings, and this happens pretty much every time! This is why I don't feel that putting a fake time on the invites works - if you want the wedding to start at 5:30pm, that's what should be on the invitations, not 5:00. Your first guests are still going to be early, and late comers will still be late. Plus, it cuts into your set-up and picture time. ANYWAY. Try and finish setting up at least 30 minutes before the stated ceremony time or, at the very least, have a seating area available by then.
- Vendor meals. If they're working through the reception, they're going to have to be fed. They've probably already told you that, too! Ask them what works as far as timing that meal, and put it into your timeline. Also, try and find a place - a backstage area away from guests - where they can eat. Ask the the venue's manager for suggestions, if necessary.
- Vendor Phone Numbers - Ask your vendors what their best number is on the wedding day. That might not be the same as their office number! Put that into your timeline either next to their name and arrival time, or listed at the bottom of the page, wherever you feel is the easiest place.
- Instagram accounts - Vendor accounts (including yours), your couple's hashtag, conveniently locate at the bottom of the timeline. Let your couple and your vendors know that you're going to do this. It's so much easier to tag everyone appropriately when it's all in one place!
How else can I help you streamline your business? Are you feeling so overwhelmed while you're maintaining your business that you don't have the time to expand and grow? I can create more time for you: Contact me now to schedule a free consultation!
I'll talk to you soon,Elizabeth