Timeline Question

How are you/have you figured out your timeline for the day? I have to figure out when to tell the photograper and my girls and the make-up hair people to be here, and I am clueless.

The other thing is how did you plan your reception -cake cutting time, toast, etc? Did you let the DJ or hall decide that? At a lot of the weddings that I have gone to, I feel like it is too much up and down, and I want to try to avoid that. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

My wedding was at 3:30pm. My photographer showed up at my house at 1pm. The girls came over b/w 10am and 12 pm to get dressed, hair, etc. and be ready for pics at 1pm. We left the house at 3pm for the church. It seemed to work very well.

The hall and DJ coordinated all the 'events' at the reception and it flowed very nicely.

Many of your vendors can help you with this. I met with my hall last week and they said the coordinate the days events. And of course they are open to requests and changing things around.

As far as the morning, I asked my photographer what time does he usually come. My church is at 3:00pm. He said usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours before. So then I planned around that. I am having the photographer come at 1:30. I told all the girls who aren't getting their hair done with me to come dressed by 1-ish. I made hair appointments for 9:30-10:00-10:30 for the rest of us and hopefully my makeup at 11:30ish.

Well, so far here's my experience. . .

The DJ I'm hiring is really good, and is making a specific timeline for the reception, which he will get our input on and our preferences.
He will then hand a copy to photographer, videographer, Maitre'd, and whoever else Im forgetting right now.

As for the pre-ceremony, my photographer is showing up 2 hours before I'm due at the Church, and the Videographer will be w/us for formals, etc. . . .