Wedding timelines can be a challenge! Everyone has an opinion on how long things are going to take, and everyone from the photographer to the venue to the DJ may have their own, but yours is the master itinerary that includes all of the moving pieces and keeps things flowing throughout the day. The more weddings you do, the better you get at estimating how long things are going to take, but in the meantime, here are a few of our favorite things to build into your daily schedule that can make things flow a little easier:

1. WASHROOM BREAKS - Nothing is happening quickly in wedding gown! (Or a tux for that matter!) Build some extra time into the schedule before the couple departs for the venue, before the ceremony, before the reception, and after dinner before the formalities begin again for the couple to make use of the facilities if needed. If you don't need them, fine, but more often than not, these little breaks throughout the day will help you keep everything else on track!

2. GETTING DRESSED - Most people throw their clothes on for a regular day in 5 minutes or less when getting ready for work. Hair and make-up can take a little longer, but still it's pretty routine. However, most couples underestimate how long it will take them to get ready on their wedding day, especially if there is a photographer or cinematographer there to help capture the moments. Talk to hair stylists and make-up artists to confirm how long they will need to get the wedding party done. Give them a specific time that the bride, the Maid of Honor, and the Mother-of-the-Bride need to be done so the two of them can start helping the bride get dressed. (The hair and make-up artists can still be working on the rest of the wedding party.) It will seem like an extremely long time when people look at the schedule in advance, but allow at least 45 - 60 minutes for the bride to get dressed.

3. EXCHANGING CARDS/GIFTS - If your couple want to exchange cards or gifts to one another on the wedding day, be sure to build in at least 15 minutes (and make sure you've notified the photographer/cinematographer). This gives them a few minutes alone to open the card and take in the heartfelt words. (There may be tears!) Your Best Man/Maid of Honor can help get the cards/gifts the night before and deliver them on the day.

4. A FIRST LOOK WITH PARENTS - We talk a lot about the First Look with the couple, but let's not forget about the first time that Dad sees his little girl as a bride. (It's a pretty special moment for the groom's parents as well.) Work in at least 15 minutes for the photographer/cinematographer to grab some photos of this, along with perhaps another 10-15 minutes of photos just with the bride/groom with their parents. (You might need a little more more if parents are divorced and prefer not to be in photos with one another.)

5. GETTING IN AND OUT OF A VEHICLE - Many of us can jump in our car and takeoff within a minute or two on any given day, but when in full wedding regalia, we need a little more time when dealing with crinolines, trains, veils, and heels. Plan an additional 5-10 minutes for the bride to get in the car. Once again, this little bit of extra time will help keep everything on track during the day.

6. COUPLE TIME AFTER THE CEREMONY - Getting married is a BIG thing! Jewish weddings have a beautiful part of the ceremony called yichud, where the couple spends about 8 - 20 minutes alone after the ceremony in a private room. When given the opportunity, we find a lot of couples like to take a few moments to themselves, catch their breath, and just sort of say "Hey, we did this thing!". It might be something you want to talk with your couples about and see if it is something they are interested in building into their day. (Having a drink and a small bit to eat ready there for them as well can earn you brownie points!)

7. GETTING GUESTS TO TAKE THEIR SEATS - Let's face it! If you've ever done a wedding reception, getting the guests to take their seats after cocktail hour is like herding cats. When you encourage them to go sit down, many take that as an invitation to go grab another drink at the bar. Allow at least 15 minutes for guests to grab a seat if they are moving from one room to another, or half of that if they are having to sit down within the same room.

8. SHOE GAME - The shoe game can be a fun part of the evening! You allow time for the MC to ask questions to the couple, but be sure to also include a few extra minutes for the removal of the shoes and putting them back on again at the end. (This time it's often the groom who needs a little more extra time.)

9. FIRST DANCE - Check with your photographer if they need to do any lighting adjustments before the first dance, and if so, work a few extra minutes into the itinerary. (Some will be fine, but some need to make an adjustment or two before beginning.)

10. TWILIGHT/GOLDEN HOUR PHOTOS - Some photographers specialize in taking a golden hour or twilight photos with their couples. Make sure you check with your photographer if this is something they want to do. Work with them to get an idea of when that might happen, and then have it in the schedule (although it may require a little bit of flexibility). It often happens during dinner and should be limited to 15 - 20 minutes or it can impact the meal for the rest of the guests. We promise the end results will be totally worth it when you have the right photographer who knows how to create the magic!