Don’t Forget to Add These 5 Things to Your Wedding Day Timeline!

May 17, 2022

Let’s face it, wedding days are crazy! There’s so much to do in such a short amount of time. Not to mention, as women we tend to put ourselves last- even if it’s our special day! Here’s our list of five things you should really make time for. We promise it will make your wedding day even more amazing!

1. Water Breaks

Fun Fact: Just because you’re busy and don’t want to smudge that makeup you just spent hundreds of dollars on, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be hydrating. The number of brides who go the whole day barely eating and only drinking cocktails is unreal! And guess what? By the end of the night they are tired, lightheaded, and they feel terrible. Make sure to keep a bottle of water nearby and hydrate before or after each big transition to keep your skin looking great and your body feeling even better. P.S. It also helps to keep your feet from cramping in your super cute wedding shoes 😉

2. Signing Time

A lot of people don’t realize how much time it takes to sign a marriage license. If you have a tight timeline for photos after your ceremony, this can really slow things down. We recommend taking a few minutes to fill everything out before the ceremony starts, or at the rehearsal the day before. This gives everyone a chance to sit down and breathe for a few seconds, and it ensures you won’t forget to do the official stuff before getting swept up in the magic of the rest of the night.

3. A Private Meal

By the time newlyweds get married, take photos, do their grand entrance, dance with their parents, visit each table, thank all their loved ones, dance their butts off, and hop into their getaway car, they are starving! There may be a few minutes to snag a few bites of food (and feed each other some cake), but is that really enough to keep you going all night long? We recommend building about 15 minutes into your timeline to sit together and enjoy a meal without people interrupting for a photo and a hug. There’s plenty of time for that later, so make sure to savor some quiet alone with your new partner. If you have a getting ready room, see if the caterer can preset plates before entering for reception. We promise you’ll feel a million times better for it!

4. Time to Bustle

Depending on what kind of dress you choose, bustling the train could take a hot second. Designate people in advance to help with the task, and ask if they have time to find the bustle points or practice beforehand. The more confident they feel doing it, the less stressed you will feel day-of! *Note: This is a great time to hydrate and touch up hair and makeup as well!

5. A Moment of Gratitude

It takes a lot of people to make a wedding happen. Parents, friends, family, vendors, venue staff, bartenders, servers, drivers– they all have taken time out of their day to support you two. Try to take a moment during the day to be thankful for all their hard work. It’s so easy to let yourself get swept up in everything and not really notice the small things happening around you. No one wants to leave their wedding at the end of the night feeling like they barely experienced it. Stop. Breathe. Look around. Appreciate. It only happens once, so don’t let it slip away.

Featured venues

Discover the best places to get married in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The historic and timeless Separk Mansion wedding venue

Separk Mansion

The historic Separk Mansion is one of the most romantic wedding venues in Charlotte, North Carolina. The renovated mansion is conveniently located just 20 minutes from uptown Charlotte. If you are looking for a timeless and romantic Charlotte wedding location to host a spectacular wedding, Separk Mansion is the perfect choice. The Mansion boasts a gorgeous private garden, spacious ballrooms, a luxurious bridal suite and spectacular staircases, providing the perfect ambiance for your wedding.

The Ivy Place wedding venue in Charlotte

The Ivy Place

Nestled on 33 acres, The Ivy Place is an ideal venue for outdoor weddings, receptions, parties, celebrations, and family reunions. The property provides the flexibility and freedom to tailor your event to meet your personal style and create the wedding of your dreams. Our event tent has covered arbors, high sides, and cathedral windows that offer a panoramic view of the property. There are numerous photo opportunities with old barns, fields, ponds, and gardens to capture your amazing day in a beautiful setting.

The Mint Museum Uptown

The Mint Museum

Mint Museum Uptown provides a metropolitan chic ambience as a wedding venue in uptown Charlotte with modern contemporary architecture and city views from our terraces. The museum, located in Charlotte’s center city, is within walking distance from multiple hotels for out-of-town guests’ convenience.