Photographer: Andres Lopez Films
The Guide to Creating Your Wedding Day Timeline
While there’s about a million things that go into planning your perfect wedding day, there’s something so sweet, it can’t be beat… cake! Having a wedding cake is a tradition that goes back centuries since cake is the typical dessert of celebration! We absolutely love a wedding cake, and even if you’re not a ‘traditional’ couple, there are still tons of options for having the perfect cake to fit your style and taste buds! Check out these wedding cake ideas and get some inspiration for yours!
Photographer: Andres Lopez Films
1. Getting Ready
Getting ready for the day is likely going to be the first thing you’ll do, and the thing that will probably take the longest. You should normally block off about 2 hours for getting ready with hair and makeup staff, and more time if you have more than 4 bridesmaids. While the guys will probably get ready much quicker, they should also get ready during this time, just to help make the day go more smoothly.
During your getting ready time, block off a few minutes for ‘bride gets dressed’ or ‘bride does first look with bridesmaids’. Anything you want specifically done should be included in your timeline so the photographer and stylists stay in the know.
Photographer: Katy Lynn Allen
2. Bridal Portraits
Right after you get ready is usually the best time to take your bridal portraits. Your hair and makeup is fresh, and you’re feeling and looking absolutely beautiful! Blocking off 20-40 minutes for bridal portraits will ensure you get all the photos you want! Feel free to bring your girls with you to hype you up behind the camera, or take a few minutes alone with your photographer to feel more comfortable. It’s up to you!
Photographer: Nicole Falco Photography
3. Bridal Party Photos
Once you’ve taken your solo pictures, it’s time to include the girls. You shouldn’t need more than 30 minutes to get pictures with your bridal party. Be sure to include your flower girl in a couple of these, and moms/sisters if they’re not in your bridal party.
Photographer: Andres Lopez Films
4. Groom & Groomsmen Photos
Are you a traditional bride who wants a traditional cake? We understand! Tradition can be so elegantly beautiful, and this cake is no exception. A textured, natural frosting on a 3-tiered cake, with flowers adorning the side make for a gorgeous example of a traditional wedding cake.
Photographer: Ash & Miles Photography
5. First Look & Private Vow Reading
If you’re planning on doing a first-look, now’s the time! First-looks actually happen extremely fast. They only take about 5-10 minutes all-together. Once you’ve done your first-look, if you’re planning to read private vows to each other, now is a great time for that as well. Doing these things together will take about 15-20 minutes total. While this is a small block of time, it should still be included in your wedding day timeline.
If you’re doing a private vow reading without a first look, you’ll likely only need to block off about 10 minutes. Find a spot where the bride and groom can hear each other but not see each other, and that should work perfectly!
Photographer: Nicole Falco Photography
6. Wedding Party Photos
If you’re doing a first-look, you can do the wedding party photos right after! If you’re not doing a first-look, plan on doing the wedding party photos after the family photos following the ceremony. You’ll need to block off about 15-20 minutes for wedding party photos.
Photographer: Andres Lopez Films
7. Ceremony
Your ceremony will likely only take up to 30 minutes. Remember, guests will start arriving 30 minutes before the scheduled ceremony time, so you may want to give yourself a 30 minute break to relax before your ceremony. This will also make it to where your guests won’t see you in your wedding dress beforehand, so you can save the wow-factor!
Photographer: Andres Lopez Films
8. Family Portraits & Cocktail Hour
Immediately following the ceremony, send your guests off to cocktail hour while you take photos with your family (and the wedding party if you didn’t have a first-look). Family photos will take about 30 minutes. You’ll really just want to include siblings, parents, and grandparents in these photos or they could take A LOT longer!
Photographer: Darby Bobo Photo
9. Couples Photos
After family photos, take some time while your guests are at cocktail hour to spend some intimate moments with your new wife or husband! Take your couples photos during this time. This should take about 30 minutes. Make sure you get away from the crowd a little, for a more romantic, calm setting before the reception begins.
Photographer: Ash & Miles Photography
10. Reception
Once you’re done taking photos, the reception will begin! The wedding party and family will be served their food first, and the rest will follow. After eating you’ll have speeches, dances, cake-cutting, and any other traditional aspects you’d like to include. Once all the traditional aspects are done, it’s time to party! Get out on the dance floor and dance the night away!
Photographer: Katy Lynn Allen
11. Exit
Once you’re done taking photos, the reception will begin! The wedding party and family will be served their food first, and the rest will follow. After eating you’ll have speeches, dances, cake-cutting, and any other traditional aspects you’d like to include. Once all the traditional aspects are done, it’s time to party! Get out on the dance floor and dance the night away!
The Butterfly Pavilion
Are you in the process of planning your wedding? Tour the The Butterfly Pavilion! Our indoor and outdoor options create the perfect scene for any wedding during any season!
We are proudly locally owned and operated in Acworth, GA and can’t wait to work with you! Schedule a tour on our website at https://thebutterflypavilion.com/contact-us/ and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
