Today's post is absurdly late. I just got back from a weekend in Los Angeles, visiting friends, and didn't have a chance to post until now. Sorry about that! Tomorrow's post will hopefully more than make up for my tardiness:)
A couple of readers have requested posts that discuss the more practical, hands-on aspects of the wedding...things like logistics, schedules and how-tos. So, for today, I wanted to write about a rather boring, but incredibly necessary part of the wedding planning process: schedules. My dear friend, Jill, was sweet enough to give me her schedule of events (minute-by-minute) for the day of her wedding. I used it almost verbatim during my own wedding. Hopefully, this will give you guys a really good start on your own schedule!
Friday, April 30
5:00pm - Rehearsal at St. James Episcopal Church, Debi (coordinator) Confirms Cab Service Outside Church for 6:00pm
6:10 - Depart Church for Dinner
6:30pm - Rehearsal Dinner at Hugo’s Frog Bar
Saturday, May 1st
12:45pm - Pictures of Bride Getting Ready
1:00pm - Photos of Bride / Groom and Immediate Family
1:45pm - Photos of Bride / Groom and Family Leaving the Drake
1:45pm-2:45pm - Destination Photos of Bride and Groom
2:45pm - The Trolley Departs the Sofitel Hotel to go to the Church with the Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ushers, Programs, Acolytes, Guestbook, Readers
2:50pm - Rolls Picks up Parents of the Bride and Groom
3:00pm - Photos outside of the Church with Wedding Party
3:10pm - Rolls Royce Departs the Drake with VIPs
3:25pm - Rolls Royce Departs the Drake with Grandparents, The Rolls Royce then Waits at the Church for the Bride and Groom
3:30pm - Photos Begin at the Altar
4:00pm - Bus and Trolley Depart from the Oak Street Side of the Drake with our Guests
4:10pm - Wedding Party Goes to Chambers, All Acolytes, Ushers, Guest Book in Place
4:15pm - Trolleys Depart from the Sofitel with Our Wedding Guests
4:20pm - Trolleys Arrive at the Church, Music Begins
Ceremony and Reception
5:05pm - Ceremony Begins
5:25pm - Bell Helpers in Place at the Front Door
5:35pm - Ceremony Ends, Guests Move Outside to Ring Bells
6:00pm - Jill and Adam at the Top of Church Steps – Ring Bells, Trolleys in Front for Transportation to the Drake
6:10pm - Photos Begin at the Church- If Needed
6:30pm - Guests Begin to Arrive at the Palm Court, Trolleys Return to the Church for Additional Transportation to the Drake (Some Guests May Walk to the Palm Court at the Drake)
6:30pm - Trolley Returns to the Church to Take Wedding Party to the Drake
7:30pm - Wedding Party Arrives at the Palm Court, Bride and Groom go to Back Room for Food/Drinks
7:45pm - Doors Open and 5 piece Band Begins in the Gold Coast Room, Guests Move into the Gold Coast Room, Guests are Seated
8:05pm - Wedding Party is Announced (order is as follows) Jade Khouri and Guest, Laurie Zink and Derrick LaRosa, Katie Beck and Harris Huber, Anne Muller and Jack Neumark, Abby McLucas and Ryan Forsey, Lisa Schumacher and Mark Carter
8:10pm - Bride and Groom First Dance - True Companion
8:15pm - Cutting of the Cake
8:20pm - Champagne Parade
8:25pm - Father of the Bride Gives Toast, Daddy Daughter Dance - Wink and a Smile, Mother / Son Dance, George and Linda Dance
8:30pm - First Course is Served – Salad
8:40pm - Entrée is Served
9:00pm - 12:00pm - Party Time (Roughly 15 Min after the food has been served the band should begin)
As you can see, each and every detail should be mapped out. Chances are, your wedding won't follow the schedule perfectly, but it will give everyone a good idea as to where they need to be, and when they should be there. You should distribute the schedule to both sets of parents, the coordinator if you have one and 1 responsible bridesmaid/groomsman. If you aren't using a coordinator, you should have one guest that you feel can help guide your other guests to be at the right place, at the right time.