“When you create a timeline, you have to look at it from three viewpoints: First, the businesses involved—you have to make sure they have enough time to get their jobs completed that day; second, the bride, groom, their families, and the wedding party—no one wants to feel rushed; and third, the wedding guests—they dislike lag time. You need to keep them involved and entertained from the ceremony to the last dance. We also make sure the bride has the timeline at least two weeks before the wedding to send to her wedding party, and we personally send it out to all of the businesses the week of the wedding as a final reminder. Then, we greet them the day of the wedding, letting them know of any changes.”-Nancy Flottmeyer, PBC™, Weddings by Nancy, La Crosse, Wis.,www.weddingsbynancy.com“Start from the end and work backwards with each detail. For example, with set-up, start with the time everything needs to be finished. Then, work backwards to when linens need to be dropped off for the tables to be set, floral to be placed, the cake set up—all the way to unloading.”- Sue Corning, PBC™, Purple Iris Weddings & Events, Portland, Ore., www.purpleirisweddings.com“When designing the timeline for the day, schedule set-up and ceremony based on start time; schedule reception based on end time. This will save you time and effort because, with a little thought, the schedules should align easily.”-Robyn Martin, ABC™,The Wedding Belle, Edmond, Okla., www.weddingbelleweddings.com“Put name, date, address for rehearsal, ceremony, and reception. Use a timetable for everything—even to the minute. State who is doing what at that time. At the end, make a table with the wedding service providers, information (service, company, contact person, cell, e-mail). Those are the most important things. You could also have your company name and number on each page. Send this document to the client for approval, then send to everyone working on the wedding day.” - Gloria Boyden, MBC™Events by Design, inc., Carmel, Ind., www.eventsbydesignindy.com“Take notes on every detail during the planning process, because it’s the details that will make or break the event. However simple, though, it requires a lot of painstaking work to put all that information into a timeline that often runs 10 plus pages. Record the ‘who, what, when, where, how’ of every vendor and special person from the beginning of the event to the end. Once all logistics are noted, re-examine everything—thinking through all the line items and adding special notes like:10 p.m.    Ballroom, band plays anniversary dance“I Only Have Eyes for You” - Frank Sinatra versionSpecial Note:  Make sure bride’s aunt and uncle Susan and Bill Smith are in the room when song starts because they likely will be the last ones standing and wedding couple will congratulate them with a gift.“Finally, send the timeline to all vendors for their review and discuss any questions, clarifications, additions they have. This ensures all vendors are knowledgeable about the wedding couple’s plans, and are ready to provide their best products and services.- Beverly Ann Bonner, APR, MBC™, The Wedding Beautiful, Inc., Norwood, Mass., www.weddingbeautiful.com