Congratulations, you are planning one of the most beautiful and romantic days of your life!

This is such an exciting time and you’re eager to start planning, right? Knowing where to start with wedding planning is an important start and that is why as a wedding photographer based in Yorkshire, I am here to help.

As you dive into the details of your big day, a key thing you don’t want to forget is to consider the timing of your wedding events. Timing is everything and ensuring your timeline runs smoothly will ensure a relaxed day not only for you but the people around you (suppliers included!).

So let’s talk about why a relaxed wedding day timeline is the way to go, and how to ensure your suppliers are happy throughout the day.

Say yes to a stress-free, enjoyable wedding experience for everyone involved.

What to Consider For Your Wedding Day Timeline

• Why Winter Ceremonies Call for an Earlier and Laid-Back Schedule
• Food and Speeches – the Time Juggling Game
• Making Space in your Timeline – Extra Time for Makeup, Frocks and Snags
• Show Some Love to Your Suppliers
• The Importance of a Buffer Time – Avoiding Rush and Stress 

Why Winter Ceremonies Call for an Earlier and Laid-Back Schedule 

Winter wedding ceremonies call for an earlier, laid-back schedule for several reasons. 

Firstly, in winter, the days are shorter, meaning it gets dark earlier. By having an early ceremony, you ensure you have plenty of natural light for your wedding photos. As a photographer, this allows me to capture beautiful moments without worrying about losing daylight.

Additionally, winter weather can be unpredictable, with snowstorms or icy conditions possible. By having a laid-back wedding day timeline, you give yourself some flexibility to adjust plans if needed. You won’t be rushing from one event to the next, risking accidents or delays due to weather conditions.

Lastly, let’s not forget that winter is a time for cosiness and relaxation. By having a more relaxed timeline, you can truly savour the magical atmosphere of your winter wedding. 

Imagine having time to enjoy a warm drink by the fireplace, or take a romantic stroll in the winter wonderland outside.

A wedding day timeline with a 1pm ceremony (or earlier) is ideal in the winter!

Food and Speeches – the Time Juggling Game

Let’s talk about the dreaded game of time juggling that happens when it comes to food and speeches at weddings.

It’s like trying to balance a plate of canapes on one hand whilst giving a toast with the other. 

Picture your guests are seated, eagerly waiting for their delicious meal to be served. But wait, there’s a sudden interruption.

It’s time for the speeches! Now your photographer, who was about to enjoy a well-deserved meal, has to jump into action and capture these moments. And guess what? They’re doing it on an empty stomach. This has happened to me before! 

To avoid this, create a wedding day timeline that allows for a dedicated slot for speeches, separate from mealtime. The best way to do this would be to have your speeches before the food. This way, your guests and suppliers can enjoy their food without any interruptions, and as your photographer, I can happily snap away without missing a beat (or a bite).

Making Space in your Timeline – Extra Time for Makeup, Frocks and Snags

Ah, the joys of preparing for your big day! As you plan your wedding day timeline, don’t forget to leave some extra time for the inevitable mishaps that may come when getting ready.

Give yourself some wiggle room in your schedule. You don’t want to be rushing around, trying to fix a makeup disaster or frantically untangling your dress.

Extra time for hair and makeup means you can relax and take your time while your makeup artist and hair stylist create the perfect look. Don’t forget to factor in the bridesmaid’s hair and makeup too! No more panicking over a wonky wing or rushing to put on your lipstick. And when it comes to your dress, give yourself time to slip into it without any last-minute wardrobe malfunctions. 

Because trust me, trying to squeeze into your dress in a hurry is not a pretty or fun sight!

After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. And hey, a relaxed bride is a beautiful bride, am I right? So, take a deep breath, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy every precious moment of your wedding day. 

Show Some Love to Your Suppliers

When it comes to planning your wedding, don’t forget about the unsung heroes behind the scenes – your suppliers!

These hard-working individuals are there to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch, so it’s only fair that you show them some love. And as previously mentioned, what better way to do that than by feeding them? When creating your wedding day timeline consider this a break for your suppliers too.

Make sure to check in with them about any dietary restrictions beforehand. If you make sure they’re well-fed I am sure they will be ready to give their all. Just like your photographer, your band will most likely have it in their contract that they will need feeding. We are on our feet all day, setting up, coordinating, and ensuring everything runs smoothly so we definitely need some time to recharge.

When I take a break to eat at weddings I am also creating backups of all the images I have shot so far to make sure everything is extra safe!

Remember, your suppliers are the unsung heroes of your wedding day. They’re the ones who make everything look and sound amazing.

Trust me, they’ll appreciate it, and you’ll have a team of happy suppliers ready to make your wedding day incredible.

The Importance of a Buffer Time – Avoiding Rush and Stress

Let’s talk about the importance of buffer time on your big day.

We all know that weddings can be a whirlwind of chaos and emotions. From last-minute mishaps to forgotten vows, there’s always something unexpected waiting around the corner. 

That’s why it’s crucial to have a buffer time in your schedule to avoid rushing and unnecessary stress.

Imagine this – you wake up on your wedding day, filled with excitement and nerves. You’re ready to walk down the aisle and say your “I do’s.” But wait, you suddenly realise that your bridesmaids are running late, your hair stylist is stuck in traffic, and you still have to squeeze into your wedding dress—cue panic mode.

But don’t worry. By building a buffer time into your wedding day timeline, you give yourself some breathing room to handle any surprises. Need extra time for makeup? No problem. Want to enjoy a few moments of relaxation before the ceremony? Go for it. Buffer time allows you to be present in the moment and avoid the rush that often comes with weddings. As a general rule, add 10-15 mins more than expected to each part of your day and you’ll be chillin’.

Trust me, your future self will thank you for it.

Ready to Create Your Ideal Wedding Timeline?

A relaxed wedding day timeline is something you will never regret. It can ultimately make or break your wedding day as organisation and plenty of time is key!

Do your future self a favour and create a timeline that will ensure your day runs as smoothly as it possibly can.

And, if you’re ready to enquire about your wedding photography then get in touch and let’s chat about the day you have planned.