Part of why planning a wedding is such a big job is the number of people involved and the sheer amount of moving parts that go into such a big event. Most of us have never planned anything like it before, and the thought of it all can be quite overwhelming.

For things to go smoothly on the day, the more organised you are, the more you can enjoy the celebration. A seamless timeline and clear communication will keep things humming along so you can relax and enjoy the ride.

“To stay on track, your secret weapon is always going to be a really good run sheet.”

Basically, the run sheet is a long list of everything that needs to happen on the day with a the timings. You'll most likely need to include the few days before as well, and the day after if you're planning any after-events.

Any wedding planner knows that the run sheet is a critical factor for a smooth event. It's also beneficial for all of your vendors to have a copy ahead of time so they can plan.

Below is an idea of the kinds of things to include. Also, include the approximate time and the location. It can be very helpful to list the phone numbers of the main contact person, including your MC, the caterer, photographer, etc. in case of any delays.

To go along with this, create a list of the group photos you want to have taken. You can enlist the help of the MC or someone in your party with a loud voice to round up the family members and keep the group photos on track.

There are lots of fantastic templates and resources online that will help you create a detailed run sheet and remind you of the little things you probably haven't thought of.

It's one more job to do, but a great plan will help you create a memorable day with as little stress as possible.

Here is an example guideline of things that might follow

Ceremony

1. Guests arrive 

2. Brides arrival 

3. Ceremony begins

4. Ceremony finishes

5. Champagne served

6. Group Photos

7. Wedding party photos

8. Couple portraits

Reception 

1. Guests seated

2. Bride and groom arrive

3. Entrée served

4. Speeches

5. Dinner

6. Cake cutting 

7. First dance

8. Dancing

9. Bride and groom leave