If you want to have a stress-free wedding day I highly recommend having a thought out timeline. I know that from a photographer’s point of view we like to know what is happening throughout the day so we can be prepared (change batteries, have a fresh card in the camera or just knowing if we have time to secretly eat our protein snacks in between locations).

For you, having a timeline will eliminate extra phone calls and drama on your day. You should be enjoying your wedding not stressing about it.

My BEST Tips for creating your own Wedding Day Timeline

1. Work backwards from the events of the day that are ‘set in stone’. These are your ceremony and when supper is served. They are the two most important events as you are gathering the largest amount of people. From here you will just fill in the other parts of the day around these two times.
2. Don’t introduce the wedding party before supper– your guests are very hungry. They don’t care about the bridesmaid who makes outfits for cats and sells them on Etsy. This still applies if you have apples served during cocktail hour.
3. Have family photos immediately following the ceremony. Gathering your family for photos is like herding cats. They are already in the same location at the same time for the ceremony, keep them there and have the family photos next. ALSO, make sure that anyone who will be in the family photos knows they are in family photos and where to meet at what time. You would be surprised how difficult this is to organize.
4. Build in 10-20 minutes of ‘alone time’. This is a strong recommendation. Your day is going to go by so fast. At the end of it you are going to realize that you didn’t get to spend any time with just each other. Here is a solution to fitting in a little alone time without disrupting the whole flow of the day. Often we like to schedule sunset photos. I only need about 10-15 minutes for this. Most couples end up taking their time getting back to the reception. This is where you could take that extra 10min and just gush over the day so far. Sneak in some kisses and hold one another without interruption.
5. Build the day that you want to have. Everyone is going to have an opinion on how your day should look and be planned. But here is a tip: it’s not their wedding. If you want to exchange vows at sunrise and have a tea party at noon, do it. If you want to get married at 7pm in a ceremony and have a champagne toast to follow, do it. If you want to get married in your favourite spot by your favourite Aunt, do it.

Typical Wedding Timeline

Here in Saskatchewan there is a ‘typical’ timeline that most couples use. We tend to get married in the middle of the afternoon, have photos and then move into the reception. This doesn’t mean you have to do this too. But check it out and then tweak it to fit how you want your day to feel.

There are a few variables that will come into play when you are creating your timeline:

• Hair and makeup- this start time will all depend on how many people are having their hair and makeup done. Your hair and makeup crew will be able to let you know the timeline for the start of the day.
• Ceremony Length- this will obviously dictate how long your ceremony will take.
• Family photos- I like to have family photos follow the ceremony as it is much easier to keep your family together and not loose people. We have family photos down to a science of about 20min. This will take a little longer when we have multi-sided families (as in parents who are remarried and have new partners with additional family members). Though I will tell you that family photos have never taken me longer than 40 minutes.
• Meal Service- The time it takes someone to enjoy a meal, start to finish, is 15minutes max. However, the time it takes for 150 – 300 people to get through a buffet line or to have a coursed meal delivered will be factored into the total time for this part of your day.

Sunset Photos

One part that I didn’t include in this timeline are Sunset Photos. I highly encourage you to take time in your day to spend pockets of time together just the two of you, like I mentioned above. I know that sounds odd because you are going to be together all day. But you will actually never be alone, just the two of you. And this whole day is about the commitment you made to one another. So make sure you create this space of time- like having sunset photos on the timeline.

Have questions? I would love to hear them! Email me: daniellestasiuk@gmail.com

Congratulations!! Bask in the glow of that ring. Snuggle and stay in that newly engaged bliss with your Fiancé (isn’t that a fun word to say). When you slowly come out of that love-coma start planning the wedding day that best represents the two of you. Elope. Throw the biggest party. It doesn’t matter. Do what your heart tells you to do- it got you this far.

Maya Angelo famously said: “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.“

I can tell you right now that when you look back on your wedding day that you will remember how the day felt to you over how the day looked. You will remember all the laughter and all of the hugs over what was served as the sides of your roast beef.

With this advice in mind think about what you want your wedding day to feel like. Do you want a day of laughter? A day of celebration? A day of romance? A day of emotions?

It could be one or all of these feelings.

However, once you have that figured out then you can discover wedding vendors who align with that feeling rather than falling into a pattern of looking up who your friends hired. 

A great place to look for a personality of a wedding vendor or business is on their social media. Particularly Instagram. Businesses want you to get to know them for who they are. It’s like getting to know a friend. Once you have found a vendor who makes you feel like you would want them around on your wedding day you should contact them. Go out for coffee or have a zoom date. See if their personality on social media matches them in real life.

Placing that importance on the way you want your day to feel vs how you want it to look will make your memories far more valuable.

The trend of the elopement is strong this year – and for good reason. Instead of waiting on the government to allow for large gatherings, keep your wedding date and make it memorable. I have always encouraged couples to make their day their own. To not follow fleeting trends, but instead to insert meaningful traditions and personal touches. When you elope in Saskatchewan you are doing just that. You can literally get married anywhere. The two of you love coffee? Elope in front of your favourite coffee shop. The two of you love adventure? Head out to any number of stunning landscapes around the city. Don’t know where to elope? I have that covered too. Here is a list of some of my favourite spots in and around Saskatoon to see couples have their elopements or intimate weddings. Some locations are specific and others will require you to fill in the blanks of how that space will look for you and your fiancé.

The Bessborough
What is more iconic than getting married at a historical hotel in Saskatoon? Getting married on their iconic back deck. What a beautiful space. Think out of the box and exchange vows in the exact locations that speak to your heart.

The Dog Park
Ok, so most of us dog owners have spent 90% of our dog’s lives at the local dog park. You know all the ‘good spots’ at the park. You know, the one with the best views. Bring your best pal along and make it official in the place where you spend all of your time. We also want to add that dog parks have the best overgrown settings, which equals stunning photos.

University Campus
Often the university is a special place for couples. Say your vows in the exact place that the two of you met on campus. And we mean, the exact spot – even if it was standing in line waiting for the bus, or walking across the Bowl, or on the steps of Thorv.

In a Field
The most Saskatchewan-y thing a couple can do is get married in the middle of a wheat field. If you have strong farming roots, you should do just that. Even if you just like fields, you should do it.

In a Backyard
Your childhood home holds so many memories. Make one more and tie the knot in the backyard.

Cranberry Flats
With so many beautiful spots just outside of Saskatoon it’s hard to choose one. There’s Cranberry Flats, Paradise Beach and Fred Heel Canoe Launch, just to name a few.

Where You Spent Your Childhood
Summer camps, lakes, playgrounds: bring your Love to the place where you grew up. Share those special places that mean so much to you, then choose one of those to have your ceremony at. What a beautiful story to tell your grandkids.

At the Lake
You spend every summer weekend available at your family’s cabin. Do the obvious thing and choose a spot like this that you can revisit again and again.

Remai Modern
A new classic indoor spot. There are so many nooks and crannies in this stunning space that you will easily find one to make your ‘spot’. We recommend choosing one where you can overlook the river, but we will let you decide.

In a Parkade
Think of a place that is totally unconventional. That’s where you should get married. Have a little fun with it and choose something that is completely new.

This post can also be found on Sask Ever After.