A Bit of Basic Order: The Wedding Ceremony

While you may consider yourself to be a spontaneous being, when it comes to weddings it is best to know exactly what is happening when it comes to the order of events. A pre-planned itinerary will ensure that everyone knows where they are supposed to be and when they are supposed to be there.

Here is a basic idea of what needs to be done:

4 to 5 Hours Before the Wedding Ceremony

• Bridal party meet to have their hair and make-up done. This could take up to three hours depending on how many heads and faces are being worked on

2 Hours Before the Wedding Ceremony

• Ensure that everyone has a light lunch and something to drink (besides copious amounts of champagne). Skipping meals can make you feel light headed and drained before the wedding even starts so it is best to make sure you have a good healthy meal beforehand.
• The flowers should be delivered to the church / ceremony venue as well as the reception venue. Any last bits of decorating should be done
• The photographer should arrive to start capturing the bride getting ready
• The bridal party should start getting ready

1 Hour Before the Wedding Ceremony

• The officiant and any musicians or ushers should arrive at the ceremony venue

Half an Hour Before the Wedding Ceremony

• Start playing soft background music at the ceremony venue for when guests start arriving
• Bridal transport should arrive to pick up the bride
• Groom and groomsmen should arrive at the ceremony venue
• Photographers and videographers arrive to set up equipment
• Photographer to take photographs of groom and groomsmen
• Mother-of-the-bride, flower girls, ring bearers and bridesmaids leave for ceremony venue
• Bride and father-of-the-bride leave for the ceremony venue

Just Before the Wedding Ceremony Starts

• Mother of the groom is escorted to her seat
• Mother of the bride is escorted to her seat
• Groom and groomsmen stand in the front to wait for the bride
• Bridal party waits for the bride in the foyer
• Bride and father-of-the-bride arrive
• Music for the bride’s entrance start
• Flower girl and bridesmaids walk down aisle
• Bride walks down aisle