Church Wedding Day Planner

Ceremony due to begin at 2.00pm

When Where What
10.00am Bride's home Bride, her parents and attendants prepare for the ceremony
10.10am Flowers arrive
11.00am Best man's home Best man prepares for the ceremony
11.30am Bride's home Bride's mother contacts the reception venue to confirm that everything is OK
11.45am Best man arrives to collect buttonholes for himself, groom and ushers
12 noon Ushers' homes Ushers are preparing for the ceremony
12.10 pm Groom's home Groom and his parents prepare for the ceremony
12.30pm Best man arrives
1.15pm Church Ushers arrive and prepare prayer and hymn books or orders of service, check out seating and parking
1.15pm Groom's home Best man calls bride's father to let him know he and groom are leaving for the church
1.20pm Bride's home Transport arrives
1.30pm Church Groom and best man arrive: buttonholes and orders of service given to ushers
1.35pm Best man finds minister and pays church fees
1.40pm Guests begin to arrive, ushers give them orders of service, escort to seats and warn guests of any camera or confetti restrictions
1.40pm Bride's home Bride's mother and attendants leave for the church
1.50pm Bride and father leave for church
1.50pm Bells begin, choir enters the church
1.55pm Church Bride's mother and attendants arrive
1.59pm Bride and father arrive, groom and best man move into position
2.00pm Bride and father, with attendants, progress up aisle and ceremony begins
2.50pm Progress out of church, photo session outside
3.30pm Bride and groom leave for reception
3.35pm Parents, attendants and guests leave for reception
3.45pm Reception Parents, best man and chief bridesmaid arrive, reception line forms
3.50pm Newly-weds arrive
3.55pm Guests arrive and are welcomed
4.30pm Meal is served
5.10pm Speeches
5.30pm Cake cutting
5.40pm Party/Dancing begins
8.00pm Finger buffet set out by caterer
10.30pm Bride and groom leave
10.50pm Reception ends; best man and chief bridesmaid take care of any clothes left by the bride and groom, and repack wedding gifts to take to newlyweds' or parent's home
11.00pm Last person leaves
11.05pm Bride's parents check venue for lost property, etc. and thank staff