Now that you are familiar with the basic components of a wedding reception, it is time to put them together on the timeline. Most clients will create the timeline for you in our online Event Planner. Sometimes, the client will not have any timeline whatsoever. It is important for you to become familiar with possible timelines, what works well, what does not work well, and be able to create a timeline on your own.
The following is an example of a timeline from an actual wedding, provided by the client in our online Event Planner:
Recreating the timeline
We strongly recommend taking the timeline provided by the client, and recreating it in your own format. We recommend using Google Docs because of how easy it is to share, and sync the document between your computer, phone and tablet.
Within your recreated timeline, copy the order, times, and events from the client, and add in any notes, comments, reminders, names, scripts, songs, etc. at the times on the timeline that they will be occurring.
There are 2 reasons for this: First, it ensures that you have gone over the entire timeline for the event beforehand, and are not missing anything. Second, it gives you a single place to take notes when you call your client, and it gives you a timeline AND script to follow during the event.
Nothing looks more professional than pulling up your timeline and confirming an event with another vendor!
There is a 3rd reason, which hopefully will never be needed. In the RARE case that you are hurt, injured, or deathly ill and are unable to perform your event. Your timeline can be shared with the backup DJ and they should be able to flawlessly perform the event without having to be asking the client what is happening.
Here is an example of an actual recreated timeline:
Amy & Devan VanHouse’s Wedding Timeline
Saturday September 27th, 2014
Ceremony @ Sychar Lutheran Church
14 Edison Blvd
Silver Bay, MN 55614
Contact Person: Pastor Stew Carlson – (218) XXX-XXXX
2:30 Guest Arrival
Prelude Music: Upbeat Classical (Vitamin String Quartet)
3:00 Ceremony – Officiant: Pastor Stew Carlson – (218) XXX-XXXX
Seating of the parents: “The wedding song, there is love” Peter Paul Mary
Bridal Party Processional: “Can’t Help Falling In Love” Vitamin String Quartet
Amy’s Processional: “Canon in D” Orchestra
Unity Ceremony: “Live Music” 2 guitars + Vocalist
*Requires Additional Mixer*
Recessional: “I Won’t Give Up” Jason Mraz
Reception @ Reunion Hall
95 Outer Dr.
Silver Bay, MN 55614
Contact Person: (218) XXX-XXXX
4:30 Guest Arrival to Reception
Cocktail Music – Classy & Romantic (Rat Pack)
6:00 Grand March *Custom Introductions*
Mackey & Ian — “Get up offa that thing” James Brown
Jenn & Michael — “Bartender” Lady Antebellum
Christina & Brian — “Wrecking Ball” Miley Cyrus
Sabrina & Gordie — “Country must be country wide” Brantly Gilbert
Hali (Haley) & Steve — “Crazy Train” Ozzy Osbourne
Matron of Honor Abbi & Best Man Derek — “Straight On” Heart
Guests of Honor
Mr. and Mrs. Deven & Amy VanHouse! — “Two Tickets to Paradise” Eddie Money
*right into*
Cake Cutting Ceremony (Scripted)
Welcome by Amy
6:15 Blessing by Pastor Stew Carlson
Dinner Start (Buffet by Zups Catering)
** Silent Slideshow Starts
Aaron invites tables to buffet (Dinner Table Games)
** Dinner Kisses: Guest show Amy & Deven how it’s done!
** Wish Steve VanHouse (Father of Groom) happy 60th Birthday (Sept 26th)
Toasts
Steve VanHouse (Father of Groom)
Derek VanHouse (Best Man)
Abbi Telford (Matron of Honor)
7:30 Love Story
First Dance “Love Walked In” Thunder (VanHouse Custom)
*Dancing on a cloud*
Mother/Son Dance “Thank you for loving me” Bon Jovi (VanHouse Custom)
Shelley VanHouse & Deven
Father Daughter “Landslide” (VanHouse Custom)
Dave Iverson & Amy
Wedding Party Dance “Cupid Shuffle”
**Estimated Times**
**8:30 Dollar Dance
**9:00 Parents Dance – Longest Married Couple “Wonderful Tonight” Eric Clapton
**9:30 Garter / Boquet Toss
Girls – “Single Ladies” Beyonce
Guys – “Sharp Dressed Man” -> “Macho Man” (after garter caught)
11:55 Last Dance “Save the last dance” Michael Buble