Wedding Planning Tip

The Importance of Timelines

Every great coordinator prepares a timeline to put her clients’ nerves at ease, calm the vendors, and conduct an organized event. A timeline is the bloodline of any event. Its purpose is to eliminate stress of the vendors, bride, family members and all the team players. Almost anyone can mock a timeline, but an expert takes into consideration two main things: vendors and flexibility.

Assertiveness is an important characteristic of a coordinator, however, being flexible and going with the flow is crucial when in the moment. Anything can happen behind the scenes, so by taking the basics of the timeline and adjusting throughout the event takes experience, and lots of it!

Here are a few tips when creating your own timeline:

1. Be flexible. The day will not run minute by minute as planned. Knowing that at the end of the day you will be married is all that matters.
2. Communicate. The importance of communicating with your vendors is key. Certain vendors like to load in particular times to fit their schedule. Just ask.
3. Meet with your coordinator and photographer/videographer the week of your wedding. You have to love your coordinator and photographer/videographer. This team will be with you all day. Their personalities have to click and match your style. They will be key players throughout the event.
4. Include everyone. Double check that you have included every vendor and family member on the timeline (including each person’s name). You may know everyone involved but your mom might have never met your groom’s grandmother. Don’t forget to put the bridal party line-up, including first and last name. This helps your DJ and keeps the bridal party organized. It’s a nice touch to list the title of all songs played (first dance, etc.).
5. List emergency phone numbers. Delivery crews and cell phone numbers are a must the day of the wedding. If the limo driver doesn’t show up, you will have their number right there at your fingertips. If you cannot afford a professional, it is important to send out your timeline to your vendors 3-4 weeks prior to your event. The night of the rehearsal plan on 15-20 copies for your bridal party and family. And hire a professional, so you can relax and enjoy your wedding day.

Everyone will be impressed with your organization for a smooth day. Relax, stay calm, and enjoy your well-planned day.


Tonya J. Shadoan
Circle City Planners
Owner
317-716-7643
www.circlecityplanners.com
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Most Popular Wedding Dates +2009

Newly engaged or know someone who was recently engaged? Love is in the air and certainly for Valentines Day. Valentines Day in 2009, will be one of the most popular wedding dates of the year because in 2009 if falls on a Saturday. I'm sure there will be some really creative ideas coming from wedding planners, cake designers, florists, etc.. It's never too early to start planning early if this is the date you want. Many wedding professionals have the date booked already.

Another popular wedding date is forecasted for October 17, 2009. Why? It's Sweetest Day...another holiday for love.

Wedding planning can be fun but it can also be stressful. Part of the stress is trying to make decisions on who to invite, what are the colors, where to get the dress, who is going to be in the wedding, who do we invite, where do we Honeymoon...ahh! The list goes on. It is important to efficiently work through who your wedding professionals will be. This is one of the most important days of your life and you should feel very comfortable with who you hire. We always encourage our clients to meet with us before they hire us so that we get to know a little about them and they get to know us and ask us questions. Vendors that are likely to be with you for a large part of your day are Videographers, Photographers and Wedding Consultants. So spend the time to meet with them and see if they have the kind of personality you can mesh with.