TIMELINE ASSISTANCE

Your timeline doesn’t need to be stressful! We have a few tips to help get you started.

  1. ALWAYS defer to your photographer; they know how long it takes to get the photos that you are paying them to get. Photographers have different styles, preferences, etc. Some are shooting solo while others have backup. Not to mention, photo needs look very different from client to client, even at the same venue - you might have a large family and someone else may not have any family photos. So, it all depends! We have an incredible list of “photo spots”, so it is a great idea to collect the photos you know you need and list the ones you want, and take that to your photographer. Let them coach you on what to expect and the time commitment to expect.

  2. Most ceremonies that take place at Silver Oaks last right around 20 minutes, including the processional.

  3. Take sunlight into consideration! You can always look up the sunset for Wildwood, MO on your wedding date - even years in advance. Pro tip: we notice that we see “sunset” on our back lawn about 10-15 minutes earlier than Google will say. If you are taking all of your photos before the ceremony then it might not matter when to have your ceremony. If you are taking all of your photos after the ceremony, you might need between 1-1.5 hours to take these. Most groups try to ensure at least 45 minutes of those photos takes place before sunset, though that may be a personal preference.

  4. Work backwards! It might seem counterintuitive but just think - if the music has to conclude by 11pm and you plan to pay for a 4 hour bar and a 4 hour DJ, subtraction has you starting at 7pm. Now, you can work with the caterer to find ways to stretch the bar such as closing it 30 minutes prior to the music ending, closing the bar for bridal party announcements and toasts, etc.

  5. At this venue, we find that allocating 2 hours for drinking and dancing may feel short for Friday and Saturday groups as there isn’t a ton of wiggle room on the back end of things if you are running behind. However, 3 hours is a long time and guests are definitely starting to leave. Somewhere right in between is typically the sweet spot for the drinking/dancing portion of a Friday or Saturday reception. Most Sundays will find that 2 hours of drinking and dancing is plenty for the reception as guests may be working the next day.

  6. An example of a timelines: You can always switch these times around to reflect something that makes more sense for you, as well as switch around the order of events. However, this is a good starting point for how much time to plan to allot for each item. *The below would include a 5 hour bar (5:30-10:30pm without stopping) You can also discuss closing the bar for a portion of the reception to help prolong the reception.

4:30PM Guests Begin Arriving, any pre-ceremony photos conclude

5:00PM Ceremony

5:30PM Cocktail Hour

6:30PM Open Doors for guests to begin entering the Grand Hall and finding their seats

6:45PM Announce Bridal Party

6:55M Welcome and/or Blessing

7:00PM Open Buffet or Begin Dinner Service

7:45PM Toasts

8:00PM First Dances

8:15 Dance Floor Opens

10:30 Bar Concludes

11:00PM Music Ends

12:00AM Everything Out of Venue