The Ultimate Wedding Day Itinerary for the Type-A Bride (With First Look) 

Let us hit you with a hard truth - wedding planning is basically a full time job. From researching and securing the perfect vendors, figuring out WTF you want the vibe to be for your big day (please don’t be a rustic barn girly - it isn’t 2012), and making sure your wedding party doesn’t go rogue, you are looking at hours of time and effort on top of your 9-5 day job.  

For your convenience, we've tested and perfected a wedding day itinerary so that you can focus on the enjoyable parts of wedding planning. 

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NIGHT BEFORE TO-DO

1. Steam & hang all bridesmaids dresses. 

2. Organize & gather any items for “Details” shot for Photographer (earrings, shoes, vow books, invitation & save the date, bouquet, rings, etc.).

3. Lay out Bridesmaids getting ready outfits.

4. Finalize Wedding Day breakfast plan and pick up any last minute items. 

5. Confirm H&MU arrival time - [Insert contact Info for point of contact with H&MU Team].

6. Confirm Bride & Bridesmaids Bouquet & Groomsmen Boutonniere delivery time with florist (if applicable).

7. Confirm hairstyles for all bridesmaids getting hair done.

8. Confirm desired TikTok / Video Content.

9. Get a good nights sleep! 

Note: If having a rehearsal dinner or welcome event during the wedding weekend, these details may be included in the schedule. 

 

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE TEMPLATE - 5:30 PM CEREMONY WITH FIRST LOOK

6:30 - 7:30 AM: Wake up call - Bride & Bridesmaids to dress in getting ready attire (e.g. Robes & Slippers).

7:15 AM: H&MU Team arrives at Bridesmaids Airbnb to begin set up.

7:30 - 8:30 AM: Bride & Maid of Honor to set up breakfast food and drinks - MOB to bring coffee & assist with breakfast set up. Have all details for Detail shots prepared for handoff when Photographer arrives.

7:30 – 12:30 PM: Hair and Makeup at Bride’s Airbnb.

 

 

Note: This table is for 8 bridesmaids, 1 bride, and 2 moms - with two hair stylists and two makeup artists. No timing allocated for individual H&MU as some will take longer for hair, less for makeup, etc. Bridesmaids & moms to make note of order. 

Tip: Have bridesmaids with more hair go first. 

Tip: If specific TikToks are desired - plan these in advance and build it into the schedule.

When bridesmaids are done getting ready – eat breakfast, drink, chill.

Designated content bridesmaids (unless hiring a day-of content creator) – iPhone Content & TikToks.

9:00 AM: Bride Makeup Allocated 2 hours 9-11AM, hair to be done before.  Florist  to arrive at Bridesmaid Airbnb to drop off bouquets and boutonnieres (to be brought to First Look Location).

10:30 AM: Father of Groom to handle any last-minute drop offs at Ceremony and Reception venue as required.

10:45 - 11:00 AM: Photographer to arrive at Bridesmaid Airbnb and Begin Set Up.

11:00 - 11:45 AM: Photographer to take Detail shots.

11:45 - 12:40 PM: Bridesmaids Getting Ready Photos (Robes, Slippers, Champagne) & MOB to get dressed.

12:00 - 12:30 PM: Groom and Groomsmen Head from Groom Airbnb to First Look Location.

12:30 - 1:00 PM: Videographer to arrive at Bridesmaid Airbnb and set up.

12:40 - 1:00 PM: Bridesmaids to change into dresses, MOB & MOH to assist Bride getting dressed (Photographer & Videographer to be present), Bridesmaids to pack their stuff to be ready to put into the bus to head to First Look Location.

1:00 PM - Bride to present gift to MOB.

1:05 - 1:10 PM: First Look with Bridesmaids.

1:10 - 1:25 PM: Bride and Bridesmaids load belongings into Party Bus & head to First Look Location (don’t forget the bouquets & boutonnieres!).

1:30 - 1:45 PM: Fully Dressed Group Shots with Bride and Bridesmaids at First Look Location.

Tip: Prepare a list of photos you want your photographer to capture and share this list with your photographer in advance - to ensure you get all your desired photos. 

Day-Of Planner (if you have one, and I HIGHLY recommend one) to assist with putting on boutonnieres on Groom, Father of the Bride, and Groomsmen at First Look Location.

Tip: If your wedding is in or around Toronto, Charlie and her team at Pretty Plans was my month-of coordinator and SO helpful, particularly on the day-of!

1:45 - 2:45 PM: Wedding Party to hang out in designated room – food and drinks.

1:45 - 1:55 PM: Bride first look with FOB (and Brother of Bride, if desired & applicable). Bride to present Gift to Father of Bride.

2:00 - 2:45 PM: Bride First Look with Groom, Formal Bride and Groom Portraits

2:45 - 3:15 PM: Full Wedding Party Photos

3:15 - 3:45 PM: Immediate Family Photos

3:45 - 4:00 PM: Wedding Party to Load All Belongings in  Bus to head to Ceremony Venue.   

Day of Planner to Drive to Venue with any last minute items (examples below).  

• Foam Glow Sticks
• Card Box
• Guest Book and Sharpies
• Rings
• Vow books

Parents of Bride and Groom to head to venue.

4:25 PM: Wedding Party to unload belongings into Bridal Suite.

4:30 - 4:45 PM: B&G to have first look at reception venue and take photos. 

Tip: If doing photos with champagne tower, take these during this time. 

Parents arrive at ceremony venue. Videographer to mic up Officiant. 

Tip: Ask your wedding planner and/or videographer about micing up bride and/or groom - to ensure guests can hear ceremony. 

4:45 - 5:15 PM: Ceremony Music (e.g. String Quartet) to Begin Playing, Wedding Party and Bride in Bridal Suite.

5:00 PM: Guests start to arrive, grab welcome champagne & head to seats.

5:30 - 5:50 PM: Ceremony. 

 

 

 

5:50 - 6:10 PM: Guests to head over to the area designated for cocktail hour.  Extended Family Photos with Bride and Groom.

Tip: Again - list of photos definitely helpful here.

6:00 - 7:00 PM: Cocktail Hour (immediately following ceremony).

6:45 - 7:00 PM: Guests begin to find their seats in reception space.  Wedding Party to head into bridal suite – MOH to bustle Bride’s dress (if applicable).

7:00 - 7:45 PM: Grand Entrance for Wedding Party and Bride and Groom

Wedding Party Song: [insert song here]

Entrance Order: List Groomsmen and Bridesmaid combos (if applicable)   

Tip: Have the wedding party stay on the dance floor as rest of wedding party & Bride and Groom come out – dancing/cheering etc. Sets the tone and a really fun vibe for the evening!

Bride and Groom Song: [insert song here]

Song to finish while Wedding Party and Bride & Groom Dance

7:05 - 7:10 PM: Introduction Toast from MC's.

7:10 - 7:25 PM: First Course to Be Served. 

7:25 - 7:35 PM: Maid of Honor Speech & Best Man Speech.

7:45 - 8:00 PM: Second Course Served.

8:00 - 8:10 PM: MC’s to introduce Parents of Bride Speech, Parents of Bride Speech.

8:10 - 8:15 PM: MC’s to introduce Father Daughter Dance immediately after Parents of Bride Speech, Father Daughter Dance.  

8:15 - 8:25 PM: MC’s to introduce Parents of Groom Speech, Parents of Groom Speech.

8:25 - 8:30 PM: Third Course to be Served, MC’s to introduce Mother Son Dance immediately after Parents of Groom Speech, Mother Son Dance.

8:40 - 9:00 PM: Bride and Groom Take Sunset Photos.

9:15 PM: MC’s to introduce Bride and Groom Speech, Bride and Groom Speech.

9:25 - 9:30 PM: MC’s to introduce Bride and Groom First Dance, First Dance.

 DJ to transition from first dance into fast paced song to start the evening.

9:30 PM: Guests invited onto the dance floor to join Bride and Groom – Dance Floor Fully Open & Photobooth open.

9:30 - 9:45 PM: 4th Course (Dessert) Served.

 

 

9:45 PM: Bride & Groom Change into 2nd Outfits.

10:00 PM: Bride & Groom Cake Cutting Photos - Videographer & Photographer to be present.

10:30 PM: If applicable: Late night entertainment - e.g. Saxophonist - to begin.  Foam Glow Sticks Brought Out for Dancing.

10:30 PM: Late night food station open.

11:30 PM: If applicable: First round to shuttles to take guests back to Hotel.

Midnight: Last Call for Bar (announcement to be made at 11:45ish) – Music to continue until 1AM. 

1AM: Fin.