Type A Bride Minute | How to Have the Best Wedding Timeline

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MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT I SAVE YOU THE MEMORIES THAT YOU’LL NEVER KNOW YOU HAD – THE BAD ONES.

– GLORIA MCCUNE | GRAND ENGAGEMENTS
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Introducing our Type A Bride Minute video with the beautiful event planner and designer, Gloria McCune, from Grand Engagements.

video

Gloria unlocks the secrets: Top tips to creating your wedding timeline.

View the interview in HD here.

gloria’s timeline template

Gloria was so wonderful enough to share with our readers her recommended timeline below.  You can also download one of her timeline spreadsheet templates here.

4:00 pm – Prep. photos of Bride & Groom
5:00 pm – Photo session with Bride {alone, with attendants, etc.}
5:30 pm – Bride & attendants in sequester
6:00 pm – Ceremony
6:30 pm – Family, Bridal Party group formal photos
7:00 pm – Newlywed’s photo session {spend more time with family & friends if done before ceremony}
7:30 pm – Newlywed alone time with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
7:45 pm – Grand Entrance and then the Bride & Groom go straight into first dance
8:15 pm – Toasts and salads served
8:30 pm – Dinner served
9:00 pm – Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance
9:15 pm – Open dancing
9:30 pm – Cake cutting, couple’s toasts and speech
9:40 pm – Optional bouquet & garter toss
9:45 pm – Open dancing
11:00 pm – Departure / Send off

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THE INTERVIEW

why did you go into wedding planning?

I love being a part of the best moment of someone’s life.  It’s a huge milestone.  You have the best of the best of your friends and family together.  It’s one of the best celebrated moments.  You don’t get that much energy and love and happiness anywhere else.  It’s an instant day brightener. You go home happy!  It’s inevitable.

why grand engagements?

It’s grand! It’s magnificent. It shouldn’t be downplayed at all.  If you want to have a beautiful wedding, it’s important to have all the details. Every part of your life should be incorporated in that day. It shouldn’t be basic because you’re not basic.  You have a lot of parts about you that may not have been seen before seen by guests or friends; and it’s time to celebrate who you are, who you are with the groom and run with it and not be afraid.

what makes you different from other wedding planners?

I’m all about making it fun and unique and really personal for my client. I really become close to them.  It becomes a very personal process.

• I’m trying to find what the most important intimate parts of you are: hobbies, loves, dislikes, favorite places, maybe things you didn’t really think about before and pulling it out of you and showing you the beauty of who you are.
• Protecting the bride: The wedding planning process can be difficult. Wedding coordinators end up being the angel for the bride. Family and vendors can be difficult.  Different situations arise.  I don’t want anyone to be disappointed.
• I treat brides like guests in my home: I make them comfortable, happy, taken care of the entire way through, and always smiling because that’s so important.

what would be your ideal bride?

A bride who is not afraid to be who she is. Even if someone’s a little timid or shy, it’s not a problem as long as they feel comfortable with me.  It’s important to bounce ideas off each other and brainstorm. I can come up with great ideas and things on my own but, if it’s not who you are, it’s not really making it your own.  They don’t need to feeling like they have to do a cookie cutter wedding. You don’t have to look at a magazine and say this is what I have to do.  After saying, “I do”, all colors, styles, and anything you want you can have.

do you have any advice on choosing a wedding planner?

It ultimately comes down to meeting that person. When you’re face to face, you get a sense of their style, who they are. Trust your gut. That’s one thing that won’t lie to you. You might say – great price point, friends love them, but it’s what you feel inside that needs to click. If it’s not there, it won’t be as smooth of a process.  It’s your instinct. You know if something’s good for you. If something inside is giving you second doubt, try something else.

Putting a wedding together isn’t easy.  It takes over 250 hours to plan a wedding. You’ll need someone who is on your side and take care of you and help guide you along the way and not make you feel regret that you hired them.

want to see gloria’s work?

View more of Gloria’s work with Grand Engagements here or see her latest weddings on her blog here.

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what’s next?

• How was your wedding timeline? Any lessons learned or advice wanted?  Leave a comment below.
• View our gallery here.
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