You are on the Desktop website, Click here to go back to our mobile website
We use cookies to offer you the best service possible. By using our site you agree to the use of cookies.
ARTICLE
Recently, while chatting with some other DJs, the conversation of timelines at weddings was raised, and I was asked about how I put them together. Obviously, my initial response was that whilst meeting with the wedding couple I work through the day and/or evening to create a bespoke running order that covers everything that they want to be included on their special day.

However, having given it more thought, I realised that although every wedding is different and couples all have specific preferences and priorities, there are enough commonalities to allow me to produce an example of a ‘standard’ timeline. I felt that many readers would find it useful to see this in print. Those who don’t yet perform at all day weddings, I’m sure will be interested to see what is involved. Meanwhile fellow wedding hosts may be interested to see how much they relate to my average event. You never know, they may also pick up an idea or two that they don’t currently cover (as I’m sure I would if I looked at their timelines).

Before we get into my detailed timeline, let’s set the scene with a pretty typical timeline for an all-day wedding in a single venue from a guest’s perspective:

Ceremony
Drinks reception / photographs
Wedding breakfast
Toasts and speeches
Cake cutting / first dance
Party

There may be some differences, and extra ‘special’ elements, however, as a generalisation, I’m sure you’ll agree that this is pretty standard. But of course, as those of us who host weddings know all too well, there are many extra smaller elements that fit within, or sit between, these key moments. What follows is this basic timeline expanded with all of the different jobs that I will undertake as part of my role as the Master of Ceremonies and then DJ at an all-day wedding.

As a side note, if you don’t provide ceremony music, or an all-day service with Master of Ceremony duties, and don’t have any inclination to do so, just skip to the parts of the timeline that relate to your business.

A Typical All-Day Wedding Timeline For A MC / DJ
PREP:
Check that all the clients’ playlists for every part of the day are ready, and available on an alternative playout system, just in case [see my previous article Prepare To Fail].
Make sure stage clothes are washed and ready.
Load vehicle with everything needed for the event.
Prepare route to arrive in plenty of time.

SETUP:
Arrive at the venue and check the weather, especially if the ceremony is outside and emergency changes to the plan may be needed. Also let the photographer and videographer know if rain is expected, as this could impact the photos and filming.
Introduce yourself to the person who is running the event at the venue and compare running orders and timings, so there is no risk of confusion later.
Make sure that everything that the couple wants in the ceremony room and wedding breakfast room is there and in place.
Set up all sound equipment in the ceremony room, and rehearse the music to make sure it is perfect.
Set up sound equipment in the room the wedding breakfast is being held in. [If this is to be the same room that the evening reception will take place in, I prefer not to set my full DJ kit up yet, as at this stage I don’t want to stick out in a room that the couple have spent a lot of money and time designing.]
Change from travel / load-in clothes into stage clothes. [I tend to grab a coffee here, as it is likely to be my last chance to collect my thoughts before a full-on day.]

GUESTS ARRIVE AT THE VENUE:
Meet with the groom and ushers and have a chat about the ceremony seating.
Introduce yourself to the photographer and videographer, check timelines and ask them if there is anything they need.
Meet with the registrar and let them know what your role in the ceremony is, and ask if there is anything they need from you, or anything they would like you to do or say.
Start to play the pre-ceremony music.
Work with the ushers to ask the guests to take their seats.
Make any announcements to the guests that are needed before the ceremony.

CEREMONY:
The full review can be found in Pro Mobile Issue 98, Pages 42-46.
UPCOMING EVENTS
BPM DJ Show 2024
12 / 10 / 2024 - 13 / 10 / 2024
Photo Booth Expo London
13 / 10 / 2024 - 14 / 10 / 2024
VIEW THE FULL CALENDAR
BOOK STORE FEATURED PRODUCT
HOW TO PRICE YOUR PLATYPUS

BY DAVID ABBOTT

£5.00 (INC P&P)
More
VISIT THE BOOK STORE