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Dedicated October 2021

Need helping figuring out day of schedule

Dizzy, on June 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM Posted in Planning 0 4
I need help figuring out our schedule day of!
We are doing the ceremony outside in one place just family (bc self-uniting, and fiance wants that part smaller. 10-15 people?) and then the reception ~hour away (time super depends on traffic) the same day (indoor/outdoor venue). I was thinking to have a little setup after the ceremony, just coffee/donuts or something. The reception is also casual vibes, lawn games encouraged, like a family/friends BBQ but better food and music. Everything is DIY so it's 100% up to us when things are.
I don't know what times I should set for everything. Late Oct/NJ for reference as far as the sunset and stuff goes. We get the venue all weekend so no issues with that. I've been asking around some forums and everyone is like, ask your DoC, caterer, or photographer. We don't have a DoC, are DIY cooking, and our photographer is new to weddings and tbh we are only having a handful of pics. Very very casual, we just aren't sure how much time to put in between things. Some people won't come to both events too (friends are only invited to the reception, and we have no idea which family would go to both, probably depends on time? I really don't know.). I've been looking online but it seems like the schedules I've seen are a lot more involved than anything we are doing or don't reflect 2 venues.
Thank you for your help and please don't spam us with your offers of working for us like I'm getting elsewhere. Would love some feedback from anyone who's done something similar!

4 Comments

Latest activity by Jacqueline, on June 17, 2021 at 2:29 PM
  • Kaylee
    Devoted June 2026
    Kaylee ·
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    Usually ceremonies take place sometime in the afternoon. You could do a 3pm ceremony then 6pm reception which should give you plenty of time for pictures at the ceremony and commute to the reception. Just an idea. Love that you’re doing so much DIY!
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  • D
    Dedicated October 2021
    Dizzy ·
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    It might be dark though? IDK how the outdoor games are going to be fun if it's dark. I guess it could be darker and people playing outside but then we would have to ensure a good lighting system outside (haven't quite figured that out yet lol). I think some of family might think it's too late for the reception, IDK. Everyone is telling me different stuff (there are others who want it to be super late). About 20% of the guests will be kids under 10

    Thanks for this perspective, it's all so confusing!

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  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
    Lynnie ·
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    Hi Dizzy! Here's a great article to check out with advice on how to make your wedding day timeline - and it has a sample timeline you can use as a starting point:

    9 Wedding Day Timeline Rules Every Couple Should Follow

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  • Jacqueline
    Dedicated June 2021
    Jacqueline ·
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    I am doing a VERY similar set up next weekend. The only differences are our private ceremony and reception are happening in the same place and I did higher a BBQ company to handle dinner. I also am picking up some light breakfast/lunch stuff from the local grocery market to feed to the girls while we get ready. but decor/set up wise is DIY, casual campy back yard vibes. if it helps, here is my schedule for the days leading up and the day of.

    my biggest recommendation is to assign "runners". we plan to do family pictures after the ceremony before the guests arrive, but there will be a couple husbands/boyfriends with little to do during that time. so instead of standing around and getting drunk, they will be assigned tasks like putting the ice in the bar (ie canoes), moving the chairs from the ceremony to the reception ect.

    Need helping figuring out day of schedule 1

    Need helping figuring out day of schedule 2

    Need helping figuring out day of schedule 3


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