Ceremony first. Start with the ceremony time and work around that. The ceremony is the most important part, so obviously it will determine the rest of the day and how early you need to start prepping for the day.

Plan your photography times. Deciding on first look versus post-ceremony photos. Check out one of my favorite videos to help you decide whether a First Look is the best decision for you and your significant other. Also, think about how big your family is and how long it will take to get family photos. Then find out how long your shot list will take. Your best bet will be to talk to your photographer, they’ll know best.

Think about a second shooter. Sometimes you can do two things at once, or at least get capture special moments at the same time. Doing double the job can mean different angles, more options, and getting photos of groomsmen getting ready while the bridesmaids do.

Prepare for being behind. Know that you will be late; you can plan for that if you think about it ahead of time.

It’s the small things. Think about the small items for your timelines. Things like games, formal dances, toasts, and cake cutting will begin to add up over time. Budget more time than you think you’ll need and if you have extra time, just fill the time with dancing!

A few more things to ponder. How long do you have the venue for? Do you have to abide by a noise ordinance? If you have to be out or quiet by 11, you’ll need to think about clean-up time and other non-fun items to add to your timeline.

Still not certain where to start? Take a peek at two options of wedding-day timelines here: