Wedding Day Timeline Tips From a Luxury Planner
At Refined Events, we live for a well-crafted timeline. It’s the quiet structure that allows everything else to flow with grace. A thoughtfully built timeline ensures that every moment unfolds seamlessly—yet, we believe there’s still room for presence and flexibility. Because no timeline should steal the joy of the moment it was designed to protect.
While some planners may thrive on precision alone, we approach timelines with both structure and soul. Our goal is to keep your day on track without losing the beauty of spontaneity that makes it uniquely yours.
Here are a few of our favorite timeline tips to consider as you plan your wedding day:
1. Hair & Makeup: Allow approximately four hours for your hair and makeup team to have everyone ready. We recommend completing glam before robe or pajama photos so that everyone looks and feels their best. Once those photos are scheduled, simply count backward four hours to determine your start time.
2. First Look: If you’d like to shorten cocktail hour—or even join it—a first look is your best friend. It allows for portraits beforehand, leaving more time to be present with your guests.
3. Setup Time: Many venues allow only two to three hours for vendor setup. When this happens, vendors often need to bring extra staff, which can increase costs. Instead, consider adding a few more venue hours at the start of the day. The extra breathing room can make all the difference.
4. Tear-Down Time: Most venues allow one hour for cleanup, but bands often need closer to two. Confirming this early helps avoid last-minute rushes and ensures a smoother ending to your evening.
