The biggest day of your life needs to be perfect in every way. From the time you get up to the moment you go to bed as a newly married couple, everything must flow smoothly like a well-oiled machine, and without any hint of stress. Here are some suggestions to create a perfect timetable for your wedding day.

Hair Styling and Makeup Should Get a Major Chunk of Time

What makes a bride look the part more than anything else? It’s her hair and makeup. If she’s not happy with her hair and makeup on her wedding day, she’ll probably not be happy about anything. She will be constantly worrying about her looks, which can spoil the whole day. So, you must set aside a major chunk of your time for hair styling and makeup — not just for the bride, but also for the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride.

For hairstyling, the bride should get 60 to 90 minutes. The bridesmaids and the mother of the bride should get 30 to 45 minutes each. For makeup, the bride should get 60 to 90 minutes. The bridesmaids and the mother of the bride should get 30 to 45 minutes each. If you are having the hairstyling and makeup done at a salon, then add that to the time it takes to get there.

Create a timetable that considers every minute

To ensure everything happens according to plan and on schedule, create a timetable that considers every minute of the day. For example:

  • 7 a.m.: Get up. Wash and brush. Have a bath or shower.
  • 8 a.m.: Have a light breakfast.
  • 9 a.m.: Call the groom to check in on this HUGE day.
  • 10 a.m.: The hairstylist, makeup artist, photographer, and bridesmaids arrive. The hairstylist starts working on the bride’s hair. The makeup artist begins working on the bridesmaids. The photographer starts clicking getting-ready photos.
  • 10:30 a.m.: The bride’s hair is done. Have light snacks to maintain everyone’s energy level so they won’t faint during the wedding ceremony.
  • 11:45 a.m.: The makeup artist begins working on the bride while the hairstylist works on the bridesmaids.
  • 12:45 p.m.: Hair and makeup are done. Everyone takes a short break.
  • 1 p.m.: The bride puts on her wedding gown/dress. The bridesmaids put on their dresses.
  • 1:45 p.m.: The bride spends an hour of quiet time with family and friends getting psychologically ready.
  • 2 p.m.: The wedding party begins to gather and the photographer begins taking family photos.
  • 3:30 p.m.: Guests start to arrive at the venue of the wedding ceremony; the pre-ceremony music begins.
  • 3:45 p.m.: The groom arrives, accompanied by the best man and ushers.
  • 4:10 p.m.: The bridesmaids arrive at the venue of the ceremony followed by the bride and her father. They make their entrance as the processional music starts to play.
  • 4:15 p.m.: The ceremony begins.
  • 4:35 p.m.: The ceremony ends.
  • 4:45 p.m.: Cocktail hour begins.
  • 5:45 p.m.: Guests move into the dining
  • 6 p.m.: Dinner time; buffet opens.
  • 6:30 p.m.: Toasts
  • 7:30 p.m.: The DJ plays live music and the dancing begins. Encourage everyone to dance.
  • 8:30 p.m.: Time for dessert
  • 10 p.m.: The guests begin to leave.
  • 11 p.m.: The party ends; everyone leaves.

You can find many customizable wedding itineraries templates on the Internet. This website has several creative templates that are free to download and use and can be customized for your use.

Every wedding reception needs music and lighting to create the perfect atmosphere. So, while you’re working on your wedding day itinerary, don’t forget about the entertainment. At Groovy Sound Productions, our Dallas wedding DJ combines the talent of A/V technician, music master, announcer, entertainer, and custom lighting expert to create a night filled with so much beauty and excitement that your guests will continue to dance long into the night.