Welcome to our very first Blog Hop for 2015!

This month we want to help you start the year off by getting organized as you’re planning your wedding or event. Get ready for some great ideas to help you reduce stress and enjoy the planning process as you move along through the blog hop.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from #6 Andie Freeman at Andie Freeman Photography 

on Natalie’s Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.


They say that timing is everything, right? You met your future spouse at just the right time, and now the time has been set for you to become one. An integral part of your wedding is the wedding day timeline. But why is it so important? Won’t things just happen the way I want them to automatically? This article will help you start thinking about how you want to organize your special day, so it turns out just the way you planned!

What is a wedding-day timeline?

A timeline is a tool that is used to ensure your wedding day flows as smoothly as possible. The timeline will outline what time each major event in your day should be happening. That not only includes your ceremony and reception, but also things like vendor arrival and set up, and bridal party readiness.All of these elements occurring when they should will ensure the success of your wedding day!

Why do I need one?

Any wedding planner worth his or her salt will tell you that having a timeline is a MUST! A timeline helps vendors see the big picture of your day, not just their individual duties. It also ensures everyone is on the same page time-wise, so there are no surprises. The last thing you want is to incur overtime charges from vendors because things are running behind schedule. As the bride, it’s not your job (or it shouldn’t’t be your job) to worry about what’s coming next (e.g., when is the bouquet toss or at what point do we do our first dance). Your planner has your timeline handy and will ensure things happen when they should.

Who puts my timeline together?

If you are hiring a wedding planner or coordinator, he or she will develop your timeline, with input from your vendors. If you have chosen not to hire a planner or coordinator, I suggest you develop a timeline, and hand it off to someone you trust who can keep things moving. Check out http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/06/24/sample-day-timeline/ for a sample timeline.

Shouldn’t’t I just let things flow naturally?

Your planner has done many weddings, so he or she understand the natural flow of a wedding. Without having a timeline, things can get out of control (too much time spent on post-ceremony pics, guests waiting while the bride still gets dressed, etc). As I mentioned earlier, if you go over your contracted time with vendors, they can charge you overtime (by the hour). Or, your venue may ask you to leave if you gone past your time (especially if they have another event after yours). Your wedding day will go by quickly, so having a timeline is a requirement!

Your Planning Assignment

If you are not hiring a wedding planner, don’t leaving the timing of your wedding day to chance. Put something together and ask a reliable person to make sure it is followed. Happy Planning!

The next stop is  #8 Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events

on Natalie’s Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month!

  1. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events 
  2. Katherine Shorter at Creating Awesomenessity
  3. Kristi Richardson at Bloomed To Last
  4. Chantal Benoit at Chantal Benoit Photographer
  5. Elizabeth Batte at plainjane designs 
  6. Andie Freeman  at Andie Freeman Photography 
  7. Brenna Fields Taylor at An Elegant Affair LLC   << you are here
  8. Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events 
  9. Tessa Marie at Tessa Marie Weddings
  10. Peter Merkle at Chicago Wedding DJs
  11. Anshwa Lewis at SwaLaRue Events
  12. Deborah Ashe at Rev. Deborah Ashe
  13. Angela Christoforo at Elite Wedding and Event Planning
  14. Liz Coopersmith at Silver Charm Events
  15. Amber Peterson at Cheers Wedding & Event Planning
  16. Maggie Evans at Maggie Evans Designs :: handmade bridal couture
  17. N’neka Scruggs at Images by N’neka
  18. Kelly Snyder at Southern Charm Weddings
  19. Cindy Clearwater at Something Blue Virgin Islands
  20. Kimberly Parks at KP Photography
  21. Simone R. Ross at Lil’ Tux N Tiara’s Event Sitters & Entertainment
  22. David Osborne at Sound Insight Productions
  23. Nicole Hill at Flora Bond
  24. Shaun Cox at A D.I.Y. Affair Weddings and Events
  25. Katrina McCullum at Made of Honor Weddings
  26. Sandy Salle at Hills of Africa Travel
  27. Rachel Huntoon  at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast 
  28. Daphne Simpson at Elite Design
  29. Kishana Highgate at Kishana Highgate Photography
  30. Loraine McCall at Mojica Photography
  31. Teresa Rhodes at Nearly Nesters 
  32. Andrea Freeman at Andrea Freeman Events
  33. Nikki Michel at Ciao Bella Weddings
  34. Kelly King at Affordable Wedding Invites by Gossett Printing
  35. Christine Ringuette at Down The Aisle Wedding Planning & Design
  36. Myiesha Antwine at Kiss and Tell Weddings
  37. Ashley Rae at Ashley Rae Events
  38. Laurie Kuerlemann at Platinum Party Events Entertainment, Inc
  39. Lydia Wells at Writer Mom
  40. Melissa Pepin at Melissa Pepin Photography
Need help getting started planning your wedding? Just click here to sign up for our free resource “Don’t Drop the Ball: Four Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Planning Your Own Wedding.”