Our photographer requested a Day-of timeline from me, and I sent one to her. Little did I know, it was borderline pathetic. Since she’s had more experience with weddings than I, she kindly sent me a sample of a GOOD timeline, and I quickly spiffed mine up a bit. Your day of will obviously be very different from mine, but it’s nice to have a place to start, as I know the sample that Sarah sent me was heaps of help.
I did mine in Google Docs, and e-Mailed it to everyone involved in the wedding, and also brought copies to the rehearsal dinner for anyone who needed a printout. Google Docs allow you to create documents or spreadsheets that are stored online. You can share your document via email with anyone you like, and allow (or disallow) them to make changes to it, that you’ll automatically see. The great thing about Google Docs is that when you update the document, you don’t have to resend it to all your friends…they will automatically always have the latest copy.
WEDDING DAY INFORMATION:
LIST OF IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:
Bride
Groom
Wedding Party -
Maid of Honor
Bridesmaid 1
Bridesmaid 2
Bridesmaid 3
Best Man
Groomsman 1
Groomsman 2
Groomsman 3
Flower Girl’s Parents
Ring Bearer’s Parents
Parents -
Mother of the Bride
Father of the Bride
Mother of the Groom
Father of the Groom
Vendors -
Church
Venue
DJ
Officiant
Bride’s Cake
Groom’s Cake
Site Coordinator
Coordinator
Photographer
2nd Shooter
Bus Company
Linens/Party Rentals
Cab Companies nearby
LINK TO DIRECTIONS FROM HOTEL TO CHURCH (MAP)
LINK TO DIRECTIONS FROM CHURCH TO VENUE (MAP)
LINK TO DIRECTIONS FROM VENUE TO HOTEL (MAP)
LINK TO DIRECTIONS FROM HOTEL TO AFTER PARTY (MAP)
DAY OF TIMELINE
7:45 AM - Breakfast, Shower
9 AM - Hair Appointment
Salon Name/Hairdresser name
Address
Phone Number
11:00 AM - Makeup appointment
Artist Name
Address
Phone Number
12:30 PM - Bridesmaids arrive to bridal suite bride to put on dress, jewelry. Bridesmaids’ hair and makeup done, ready to go by this time. Photographer, 2nd shooter begin shooting day. Photographer arrives at bridal suite. 2nd shooter to hook up with Groom/Groomsmen at this point.
Groom’s location (Hotel)
Groom’s Hotel Room #
12:30 PM - Personal Flowers Delivered to Residence/Bridal Suite by Coordinator.
Residence or Bridal Suite Address
Map
Phone number of Residence
12:45PM - Put on dress, Pictures of putting on dress, bridal details (all rings, jewelry, shoes, dress, etc)
1:45 PM - Depart from home/hotel to head to venue (Photographer, all Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, flower girl and mother, Immediate Family) Everyone is entirely dressed and ready to go before arriving to venue.
Venue Name/Location
Address
2:15 - Arrive for Group pictures at venue- (Photographers, all Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, flower girl and mother, Immediate Family)
2:15-3:15 - first look, bride and groom portraits
3PM - DOC Arrives to help set up centerpieces, oversee setup
3:15 - 5PM - Photography
15 - 20 minutes for Bride/bridesmaids
15 - 20 minutes for Groom/Groomsmen
10 - 15 minutes for entire wedding party pictures
15 minutes for bride’s family portraits
15 minutes for groom’s family portraits
15 minutes for Both family portraits
4:30 PM - Bus departs from Hotel to head to venue
Bus Company
Phone Number
5- Pictures wrap up (MUST)…everyone get inside to cool off and relax…Photographers take detail pictures at this point…everything should be set up by now.
5:15 - Bus Arrives
5:30 - Ceremony Starts
6:00 - Ceremony Ends, Cocktail Hour Begins,
6:15 - 6:45 - Cocktail Hour
7:00 - Guests asked to be seated for dinner
7:10 - Grand Entrance, Bridal Party
7:20 - First Dance
7:25 - Cake is cut, Dinner is immediately served. Photographers break for Dinner.
8:00 - Champagne Toasts. Photographers resume taking pictures.
8:30 - Dinner cleared, Cake is Served.
8:40 - Father Daughter dance, Mother son dance (Simultaneous)
8:45 - Dancing begins
9:55 SHARP - Last Dance
10:20 - Buses Leave
11 - Party continues at Bar/Restaurant
Name of after party bar/restaurant
Address
Phone Number
…
And if you want to know whether an anal-riffic timeline helps? It does! Our wedding started on time, to the exact minute!
Not all timelines are created equal. For a really fun picture filled timeline that I love, check out:
Wow thanks! This was seriously helpful for me.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!
i have been working on a timeline and it needs some fluffing….this is great so i can make sure nothing important is left out. 
Awesome! Thanks Peng! This is one aspect of the wedding I can’t stop worrying about. Of course now I may be even more worried because I also have to set up the ceremony and reception site somewhere between waking up and my hair appointment…. eek!
Thanks so much!!!!
Wow, three hours of photography!! Then again, your photographers were awesome. Can’t wait to see the pictures!
thanks this is the next thing on my list!! without a DOC, I feel like I really need to spend time with this.
Thanks for posting this. I have a DOC but my wedding is far away and we haven’t gotten to the timeline yet. I want to take pictures before the ceremony too and you have just shown me how it’s done.
THANK YOU! I just finished mine and was having a hard time finding good examples to compare it to. Love this!
That is SO helpful, Mrs P! When Mr T and I planned our timeline, we had no clue. Everything was based on, “Er, I don’t know? Twenty minutes for that? Yeah, why not, 20 sounds good….”
THank YOU!! I needed someone to give me a sample timeline!
You’re the best!
You actually had hair and makeup?! You looked so natural! great job!
Mrs. Penguin, Sacramento
Age and Occupation: 26, Video & TV Producer/Director/Editor
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Engagement Date: January 29, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 14, 2007
Venue: Winery in the Gold Country
About Me: I'm a silly mess of a girl who, above all else in this world, LOVES the Spice Girls. I eat sushi at least 3 times a week, and feel guilty about how much it costs the other 4 days a week. I love designer jeans and cheap accessories. I don't like sweets, but I love the UCLA Bruins!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was on my to-do list and I have been completely procrastinating! This will definetly help me get my timeline started!