Weddings at The Mudcastle | Ceremony or Reception Venue | Wedding Planning Guide

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE

Creating an individual timeline of events for your day is highly recommended so that sufficient time is allowed to fit everything in. Our sample timeline template may be helpful.

SAMPLE WEDDING DAY TIMEFRAME FOR A 3.30pm CEREMONY HELD AT THE MUDCASTLE OVER SPRING/SUMMER/AUTUMN WITH THE BRIDE GETTING READY OFF SITE.

9.30am - 2.30pm
Hair, nails (if not already done) and makeup
Bridal bouquets etc. are collected

Lunch
The bride and her attendants get dressed
The photographer may arrive for some "getting ready" shots
The bridal transport arrives to take bride and attendants to The Mudcastle (groom and attendants usually have separate travel arrangements)

2.30/2.45pm
The groom arrives on site together with his attendants
The ushers (if appropriate) arrive on site

3.00pm - 3.30pm
The guests arrive on site gradually (unless bus transport used)
The groom's parents arrive on site
The bride's mother arrives on site with the bridesmaids

3.30pm+
The bride and bride's father arrive on site

3.30pm+ - 4.00pm
Wedding Ceremony

4.00pm - 4.30pm
Group and family photos

4.30pm - 5.30pm
The bar opens for drinks and nibbles for guests while the bridal party photos are taken in the grounds and offsite.
A hamper of nibbles or a sampling of the finger food the guests are enjoying can be arranged with the caterer for the bridal party (optional)
The MC makes an announcement re the whereabouts of bathrooms, toasting policy for this wedding etc.
The guests put their presents on the present table, find their table numbers on the seating plan, sign the wedding book or card (optional) and overnight guests check in to their rooms.

5.30pm - 5.45pm
The bride and groom mingle with guests until leading through to dinner. This is also a buffer zone if the photo shoot goes over time.

5.45pm
The candles are lit for reception (if applicable)

6.00pm - 6.30pm
Sit down
Entrée /Orders are taken for main course (if a plated menu with choices)
The toasts and speeches may be heard here (optional)

6.30pm - 8.30pm
Main course
Cake cutting ceremony (if cake is a dessert cake)
The toasts and speeches may be heard here (optional)
Dessert
Cake cutting ceremony (if cake is a fruitcake to be served with coffee)

8.30pm-
Tea and coffee available from the coffee buffet
Dance

SAMPLE WEDDING DAY TIMEFRAME FOR A 3.30pm CEREMONY HELD AT THE MUDCASTLE OVER SPRING/SUMMER/AUTUMN WITH THE BRIDE ALSO GETTING READY AT THE MUDCASTLE.

9.30am - 12.30pm
Hair, nails (if not already done) and makeup is done off site
Bridal bouquets etc. are collected

1.00pm
The bride arrives at The Mudcastle with her bridal party attendants to get ready and relax
The chief bridesmaid may organize a hamper of goodies for a late lunch
The photographer may arrive for some "getting ready" shots

2.30/2.45pm
The groom arrives together with his attendants
The ushers (if appropriate) arrive

3.00pm - 3.30pm
The guests arrive gradually (unless bus transport used)
The groom's parents arrive
The bride's parents arrive and often both join the bride
When the bride is ready, the bride's mother takes her seat and the ceremony begins