Your wedding plans are in full swing, and you’re excited to bring your vision to life. But, before you get busy with endless to-do lists, creating a wedding day timeline will help you organize your special day. Having a schedule in place will support your Chicago wedding vendors and ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
Here’s a glimpse of an average Chicago area wedding timeline to properly prepare for your upcoming celebration.
Getting ready for the big day
Before the festivities begin, you and your wedding party need to get ready. The preparation timeframe depends on several factors, such as ceremony start time, wedding party size, and hair and makeup. While you may have to estimate the preparation time, doing a practice run with your makeup team will give you a clearer idea of how long it will take to get ready for your celebration.
You will also want to communicate the timeline with your wedding party, so everyone can plan accordingly. In addition, allow some downtime to eat and enjoy a mimosa or two. You will need energy for the rest of the day!
Couple’s first look
Many couples include a first look in their wedding day timeline, which allows them to share a sweet moment privately before the ceremony begins. If this experience is on your wishlist, incorporate it into your schedule. The first look typically occurs between the getting ready phase and the ceremony.
If you plan to exchange love letters, allow an additional few minutes to read through them and soak in all the feels.
Tying the knot
On average, ceremonies are 30 minutes long. However, the time frame may change depending on what you include. For instance, some couples choose to incorporate readings, rituals, and candle lightings, which can extend the timeline. Also, consider the processional and recessional. The wedding party size will affect the time for proceeding down the aisle, so try to estimate this interval. The best rule of thumb is to overestimate so you don’t feel pressed for time.
Remember that the officiant will lead the ceremony to ensure your Chicago wedding continues seamlessly.
Professional portraits and cocktail hour
Once you’ve said your “I dos,” it’s picture time. When the ceremony ends, the wedding planner will guide guests to cocktail hour, so they can mingle and enjoy their drinks before the reception begins. While the guests socialize, your photographer will capture formal portraits of you, your partner, your wedding party, and VIP family members. For this segment, prepare a shot list for your photographer in advance to cut down on time and make everything run more smoothly.
Following your wedding photo shoot, your coordinator will organize you and your wedding party for a magical entrance to your reception.
The reception
Now that the formalities are done, you can have fun and celebrate your marriage with your guests. The first half of the reception typically includes wedding traditions like dinner, toasts, first dances, and family dances. However, if you want to spice things up, you can skip some of these wedding trends and add your own flavor to the mix. For example, many modern couples remove speeches to make space for other planned activities. Keep adjustments in mind as you organize your Chicago wedding day timeline.
Once the first half of the reception is over, you can dance the night away. Your Chicago wedding DJ will guide everyone through the rest of the wedding day timeline and tie it up with a spectacular ending.
Post-reception
As the night draws to a close, ensure a breakdown plan is in place. Check in with your Chicago wedding venue and coordinator to determine if their team can manage the breakdown process. You will also want to designate someone you trust to collect gifts and keepsakes. Of course, a family member or close friend will do. Once the takedown process is set, you can return to your hotel and reminisce on your special day.
We hope this post provided insight as you prep for your wedding! Once you smooth out the details, you will need to reserve a Chicago wedding DJ to set the tone for your celebration. Our team at Momentz Productions looks forward to assisting with your entertainment needs. Get in touch with us today to get started!
