I am planning and orchestrating my wedding without a "wedding planner", to save money. I am having the wedding and reception at the same place and need to know how to time everything so that it isn't confusing or unorganized to guests. I have enlisted a friend to act as a coordinator the day of the wedding….
if you have hired a DJ (s)he should have a few examples from previous weddings.
here is a timeline from the last wedding i did:
5pm guests arrive
5:30pm ceremony begins
-groom and officiant take their place
-seating of the mothers
-bridal party enters
-bride escorted by father
-welcome words from officant
-service
-lighting of candles
-vows/rings
-pronouncement
-bride and groom exit followed by party and guests
6:20- 6:730 guests arrive at the ceremony location/ cocktail hour
6:20-7:30pm photos for B&G and bridal party
7:30pm bridal party is announced by the DJ
7:35pm Bride and Groom are announced for the 1st time- head straight to the dance floor for 1st dance
7:45 Bride and Groom are seated
-best man and maid of honour toasts
-any misc. toasts from family/guests
7:55pm Bride and Groom get their dinner
8:00pm dinner buffet open to guests
8-8:45 classy music for dining
8:45 start music for dancing
9pm money dance
9:30 cut cake
9:45 bouquet toss
10pm garter toss
dancing
11pm last song.
Hope this helps you start a timeline.
Best wishes 
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
http://www.1800bride2b.com/timeline/weddingtimeline.html
References :
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
http://www.theknot.com or believe it or not http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com. Bed Bath and Beyond will send you emails as well to keep you on track along with providing an overall timeline. The Knot seems to be the best as it provides a timeline, budgeter, and guestlist/table seating organizer. Best wishes!
References :
Planning and almost finished with my 9/22/07 wedding using the knot for my help!
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
if you have hired a DJ (s)he should have a few examples from previous weddings.
here is a timeline from the last wedding i did:
5pm guests arrive
5:30pm ceremony begins
-groom and officiant take their place
-seating of the mothers
-bridal party enters
-bride escorted by father
-welcome words from officant
-service
-lighting of candles
-vows/rings
-pronouncement
-bride and groom exit followed by party and guests
6:20- 6:730 guests arrive at the ceremony location/ cocktail hour
6:20-7:30pm photos for B&G and bridal party
7:30pm bridal party is announced by the DJ
7:35pm Bride and Groom are announced for the 1st time- head straight to the dance floor for 1st dance
7:45 Bride and Groom are seated
-best man and maid of honour toasts
-any misc. toasts from family/guests
7:55pm Bride and Groom get their dinner
8:00pm dinner buffet open to guests
8-8:45 classy music for dining
8:45 start music for dancing
9pm money dance
9:30 cut cake
9:45 bouquet toss
10pm garter toss
dancing
11pm last song.
Hope this helps you start a timeline.
Best wishes
References :
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Actually, having the ceremony and reception at the same place is probably easiest! The reception card in the invitation could specify that the reception is immediately following the ceremony… and if the area that its in has a name, that could be listed too…for example, if the ceremony is at "the dock" but the reception is in "the lodge". It'll get around through word of mouth too that the reception is right after at the same place…
References :