The Day of Your Wedding...Ceremony Timetable!
The day you 've been waiting for! You don't know whether to laugh, cry, faint, throw up or run. Relax. Those of us who have gone this route have been there, although many of us refuse to admit it! Hey, if the truth be told, it took me most of the first year for me to catch up with the fact of what I'd done! And now that I look back, 34 years later, I realize it was the best day of my life! But going through this day can be torment! But with preparatin and a timetable, you can really enjoy it...almost...
Now, one thing you have to realize is that you can't take someone else's timetable and fit it into your wedding. You have to come up with your own, customized to each individual situation. But I can at least give you some guidelines to help you figure out your own.
About 2 1/2-3 hours before the ceremony, the bridesmaids should arrive at the bride's home. This time is used for hair (if not done by a salon prior), make-up and then dressing, (unless the bridesmaids came over already in their dresses). This normally takes about 1-2 hours, leaving approximately 1 hour for the photographer to take some formal shots.
During this time, the bride can give her bridesmaids their gifts (groom will do the same on his end) so that if they are something that they will all wear that day, they will have them. Sometimes this is done at the rehearsal dinner (one to two nights before) but if not, this is an appropriate time to give them.
Approximately 1-2 hours before the time of the ceremony, the florist should arrive with the bride's bouquet, corsages and boutonniere's for the bride's father. At this point, photos can be taken.
Approximately 30 minutes prior to the ceremony, the boutonniere for the ushers and for the groom's father are handed out at the place of the ceremony, in the room that the groom and his ushers are waiting in.
Depending on how long it takes to get from the home to the place of the ceremony, the bride and her bridesmaids should arrive exactly on time. All the pre-wedding photos should have been completed at the bride's home.
At this point, nerves are jangling. I can remember this moment almost like it was yesterday, so the best thing to do during the ride to the ceremony, is to put on some very relaxing music in the car or limo. Believe me, it helps! Also, a glass of wine doesn't hurt either...again J/K...LOL
Right before the ceremony, the best man should make sure that the marriage license has been given to the officiant (if this didn't happen at the rehearsal) and that the ring bearer in fact, does have the ring!
Approximately 15 minutes prior to the ceremony, music should be played, either live or track. The ushers should be available to great the guests which usually arrive 15-30 minutes prior to ceremony time.
5 minutes prior to the ceremony, the head usher escorts the groom's mother to her seat. The groom's father walks behind the mother and usher and sits with his wife. The head usher can also be another son or brother or someone special to her. Also, if grandparents or any other special people are to be escorted to their seats, this is the time to do it.
Then the bride's mother is escorted to her seat in the same way. The ushers then take their place in the back with the rest of the wedding party.
Processional music begins.
If there is a candlelight ceremony, the candles should be lit now. The minister, the groom and the best man step into their places at the front of the church or chapel. the wedding party enters either as couples or singly, whichever is your choice. The groomsmen take their place on the right side, the bridesmaids on the left. The maid of honor follows the bridesmaid and the flower girl and ring bearer behind her. Everyone takes their places at the front of the church. The music changes to the chosen bridal entrance music. The congregation rises. The bride and her father walk down the aisle. The father (or designated person) gives the bride to the groom and then takes his place next to the bride's mother.
Well, if you reached this point, you've arrived and you are now Mr. and Mrs. You're beginning a brand new chapter of your life. Congratulations!
Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors
P.S. Big tip! Don't forget to have either your wedding planner, the banquet rep. or someone you are close to, get to the reception to put out all of your unique wedding favors that you bought for a gift for your guests. It just happened to someone I know. Don't overlook this! Have fun! You're going to have a gorgeous wedding!
Now, one thing you have to realize is that you can't take someone else's timetable and fit it into your wedding. You have to come up with your own, customized to each individual situation. But I can at least give you some guidelines to help you figure out your own.
About 2 1/2-3 hours before the ceremony, the bridesmaids should arrive at the bride's home. This time is used for hair (if not done by a salon prior), make-up and then dressing, (unless the bridesmaids came over already in their dresses). This normally takes about 1-2 hours, leaving approximately 1 hour for the photographer to take some formal shots.
During this time, the bride can give her bridesmaids their gifts (groom will do the same on his end) so that if they are something that they will all wear that day, they will have them. Sometimes this is done at the rehearsal dinner (one to two nights before) but if not, this is an appropriate time to give them.Approximately 1-2 hours before the time of the ceremony, the florist should arrive with the bride's bouquet, corsages and boutonniere's for the bride's father. At this point, photos can be taken.
Approximately 30 minutes prior to the ceremony, the boutonniere for the ushers and for the groom's father are handed out at the place of the ceremony, in the room that the groom and his ushers are waiting in.
Depending on how long it takes to get from the home to the place of the ceremony, the bride and her bridesmaids should arrive exactly on time. All the pre-wedding photos should have been completed at the bride's home.
At this point, nerves are jangling. I can remember this moment almost like it was yesterday, so the best thing to do during the ride to the ceremony, is to put on some very relaxing music in the car or limo. Believe me, it helps! Also, a glass of wine doesn't hurt either...again J/K...LOL
Right before the ceremony, the best man should make sure that the marriage license has been given to the officiant (if this didn't happen at the rehearsal) and that the ring bearer in fact, does have the ring!
Approximately 15 minutes prior to the ceremony, music should be played, either live or track. The ushers should be available to great the guests which usually arrive 15-30 minutes prior to ceremony time.
5 minutes prior to the ceremony, the head usher escorts the groom's mother to her seat. The groom's father walks behind the mother and usher and sits with his wife. The head usher can also be another son or brother or someone special to her. Also, if grandparents or any other special people are to be escorted to their seats, this is the time to do it.
Then the bride's mother is escorted to her seat in the same way. The ushers then take their place in the back with the rest of the wedding party.
Processional music begins.
If there is a candlelight ceremony, the candles should be lit now. The minister, the groom and the best man step into their places at the front of the church or chapel. the wedding party enters either as couples or singly, whichever is your choice. The groomsmen take their place on the right side, the bridesmaids on the left. The maid of honor follows the bridesmaid and the flower girl and ring bearer behind her. Everyone takes their places at the front of the church. The music changes to the chosen bridal entrance music. The congregation rises. The bride and her father walk down the aisle. The father (or designated person) gives the bride to the groom and then takes his place next to the bride's mother.Well, if you reached this point, you've arrived and you are now Mr. and Mrs. You're beginning a brand new chapter of your life. Congratulations!
Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors
P.S. Big tip! Don't forget to have either your wedding planner, the banquet rep. or someone you are close to, get to the reception to put out all of your unique wedding favors that you bought for a gift for your guests. It just happened to someone I know. Don't overlook this! Have fun! You're going to have a gorgeous wedding!
