For my sanity on our wedding day, I decided to do a detailed wedding day timeline I could send to all the people involved in the planning, hopefully curbing some issues that might have come up that day. Unfortunately, since it seems morning receptions are a bit uncommon, the Internet wasn’t much help. So,this is what I came up with on my own:
6:00am Wake Up—2 hours for DIY Hair and Makeup
8:00am Photographers arrive and take pictures of bride around the house
8:45am Off to Church
9:00am Ceremony Starts
9:30am Ceremony Ends
9:50am Guests arrive at Reception Venue and are seated
10:10am The Boa’s Entrance—“Marry You”
First Dance—“You Belong to Me”
Welcome—Mr. & Mrs. Boa (MRS!!!!)
10:20am Buffet is opened, led by The Boas
11:00am Speeches (when everyone is seated)
11:15am Father Daughter Dance—“y como es el”
11:20am Let’s get (hopefully) this party started
During the next 70 minutes the DJ will slip these events into song set:
Shoe Game
Bouquet Toss “Single Ladies”
Garter Toss
Cake Cutting “Lucky”
12:30pm(SHARP) Last Song “Amazed”
Ask all guest to go down to the first floor for a picture from the balcony
Newlyweds depart reception amid a cloud of bubbles
12:45pm Start of 30 min photo shoot of The Boas
1:15pm The Boas make their way to Bride’s House to change and pick up luggage
2:00pm Latest we can leave for the airport
6:30pm Plane leaves for Rome
It was a bit unconventional…seeing as we did not have a cocktail hour, were the only ones having an “entrance,” the bride and groom did the welcome speech and we took photos after the reception. I’m really happy with how it turned out. It was extremely personal and hopefully this timeline helped things go smoothly. We also had to end the reception early because we found super cheap flights to Rome leaving the same day, and the airport was two hours away.
Did you prepare a wedding day timeline?
I’m curious to hear how this all worked out for you guys! While we’re having an afternoon/evening wedding, it’s still ending *much* sooner than I thought it would be. I’m interested to hear if you felt it was ample time to get your groove on!
Sounds like a good timeline. I know I’ll need one, or I’ll go insane!
Sounds like a great timeline…..
I prepared a wedding day timeline for the bridesmaids as part of their gift…but only up until the wedding part.
Wow, I bet it was a whirlwind to leave so soon after the wedding! We had to be up at 7am the day after our wedding (reception from 4-10p) and it was ROUGH. I would not have been able to pull off leaving 45 minutes after the reception and pictures…I think it took me 45 minutes just to get out of my veil and dress and all the wedding garb, change and throw some last minute stuff into a suitcase, lol
You danced with your dad to “Y como es el”? My how did you hold the tears! Ever since I heard the real meaning of the song I get emotional while listening to it.
This timeline is super helpful, Mrs. B! I also had an (incredibly detailed) wedding day timeline, and it really kept us organized and on track the entire day. We had to deviate a few times, but overall, it was perfect! And all our key players always knew what was up!
I think I would probably lose my mind trying to keep to a timeline, therefore I have just hired my new bestie/weddng coordinator for the day of. She will take care of it all and make sure I am on time.
It’s so smart to do a Day-of timeline. Can’t wait to see the pictures!
I’m doing a day-of timeline, too. I’d go insane without one!
“Y como es el?” good choice
I am definitely doing a day of timeline – and giving myself a tiny bit more time than I think necessary because I hate feeling shorted on time. Looking forward to hearing how the whole timeline worked out. I also really like the idea of you doing all of your pictures after the event since I think you’ll feel more relaxed and carefree 
Mrs. Boa Constrictor, Isabela, Puerto Rico Age and Occupation: 22, Undergraduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Soon-to-be Civil Engineer Engagement Date: May 19, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: El Faro Convention Center About Me: I’m a Caribbean gal, born and bred on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, finishing her last year as an undergrad. I describe myself as a “closet nerd” as I secretly enjoy reading research papers, playing video games, and geeking out on Lord of the Rings movie marathons. I will marry my college sweetheart, a soon-to-be civil engineer, who loves Legos and old-school Puerto Rican cooking. This is sure to be a fast-paced year with our wedding, honeymoon, college graduation, new jobs, and a cross-country move all within less than 30 days of each other!
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