| Weddings are usually highly coordinated activities | | | | a very large family plan for much longer. Don't plan for |
| involving several different vendors, friends, and family | | | | the photographer to leave the reception early either. |
| all working together to make the day a success. If one | | | | The time starts to slip and usually the last things at the |
| fails, the whole wedding is at risk. Because of this you | | | | reception are the cake and the bouquet toss. You |
| want to find vendors with an excellent track record | | | | don't want to miss the pictures of these. |
| and make sure your friends and family have what | | | | Videographer - Much of the same applies for video as |
| they need to help you. Also, giving enough time to your | | | | it does with photography. The videographers usually |
| vendors will also help avoid delays and handle any | | | | film the occurrences of the day and don't take your |
| unexpected surprises. You can ask your vendor how | | | | time for things like formals. You should decide if you |
| much time they need, but usually by the time you have | | | | need before ceremony video or not. In any case the |
| selected your vendor the schedule is already set. | | | | ceremony and reception are key to film if you want a |
| Below are some tips to help you plan for each vendor. | | | | video. |
| Makeup Artist - Plan for about an hour and a half for | | | | DJ/Band - Make sure the DJ can get into the venue |
| the application of the bride's makeup. If your bride's | | | | as early as they need to setup the equipment and test |
| maids are getting makeup too find out if your artist will | | | | the sound. You don't want to delay things because of |
| have a helper or how much longer they will need. | | | | a microphone problem. Depending on the amount of |
| Bride's maids will need less time for makeup. | | | | equipment you should ensure the DJ can start setting |
| Hair Stylist - Again a Hair Stylist can take another hour | | | | up an hour before the reception. |
| and half. If you use the same person for both makeup | | | | Ceremony Location - You want to make sure the |
| and hair some time can be saved and you won't have | | | | location is accessible early enough for the room to be |
| a situation where one professional will be waiting for | | | | decorated. Also leave time for video/photographers, |
| the other one. | | | | musicians, and official to prepare, though they should |
| Dressing - It's important to consider how long it will | | | | have enough time assuming they can setup while the |
| really take to get into that dress. Seldom is it as simple | | | | decorators do. |
| as putting it on and leaving. You will have your hair, | | | | Reception Location - Again, leave time for the |
| nails, makeup done which will require extra care. There | | | | decoration, video, photographer, and DJ. Also don't |
| will also be about 20 people all running around getting | | | | forget about the cake decorator and caterers. After |
| things done or distracting your attention with last minute | | | | your ceremony and formal photographs, you will still |
| preparations. | | | | need to give the photographers and videographers |
| Travel - If you are going to a hair salon or going to the | | | | extra time to setup at the new location. Will you have |
| makeup artist, don't forget this little travel because it | | | | a temporary bridal room at the reception location |
| adds up. Also if you are going from the dressing | | | | where you can wait until your party gets announced? |
| location to the ceremony in a limo, allow extra time | | | | If not, consider taking the scenic route or joining the |
| because it takes longer to get everyone in the limo | | | | cocktail hour. |
| and the trip is slower. Plus the photographer will want | | | | Caterer - It can be much better to have the reception |
| to take pictures of you and the bride's maids with the | | | | venue do the catering or use the caterer referred by |
| limo, in the limo, etc. It may seem strange to plan for | | | | the reception venue because they need to know the |
| these little delays but in the end this is what ends up | | | | location very well and have a good working |
| delaying the wedding the most. | | | | relationship with the reception staff. Also consider the |
| Photographer - If you want the photographer at the | | | | amount of time it will take to get everyone served. |
| dressing location, you usually only need them 15-30 | | | | This often goes beyond expectations pushing other |
| minutes early. However also consider the time you are | | | | activities later in the evening. Usually brides are |
| actually leaving the dressing location to get to the | | | | concerned with the cost difference of buffet and plate |
| ceremony. You need to leave time for your | | | | service. Find out the estimated serving time of each of |
| photographer to be there a few minutes before the | | | | these for your number of guests and it can help make |
| ceremony to do some setup. Your photographer is | | | | your decision easier. Food stations and family style can |
| also going to shoot plenty of formals after the | | | | help speed things up while keeping costs lower than |
| wedding. So plan to have something for your guests to | | | | plate service. |
| do (cocktail hour) so the photographer can finish as | | | | No matter what you plan, everything can change. |
| quickly as possible. Normally the formals can take 30 | | | | Keeping these things in mind while planning will help |
| minutes. However, if you have lots of required shots or | | | | your wedding be a huge success. |