Photo (top, from left to right): Make-up: Gleam by Ellen - Photographer: LUX Visual Storytellers / Cake: Meraki Cake Studio - Photographer: Cindyvdlphotography/ Flowers: De Blije Vlinders - Photographer: Studio Visible
1. What is a script?
A script is an overview of what your wedding day should look like. It consists of your day's programme and includes an overview of all the agreements made. What happens when, and by whom. Also include all contact details of the suppliers involved and of your suite, so that they can be called immediately. Thoroughly discuss the timing of your wedding day with all the wedding professionals, and be open to their professional feedback. This way, you can be sure that your planned schedule is feasible.
2. How do you start with a script?
Take your 'yes' as a starting point for your planning: if you plan to get married on the same day, the town or city hall will confirm the exact time of your ceremony. If you (also) opt for a church or symbolic celebration, then you (also) depend on the feasibility of this location.
Then fill your day with the other important moments. Start with the broad outlines before adding the details. When planning, always remember the 4 W's: who, what, where and when. Useful: also plan the days before and after your wedding day in advance - so you are not faced with any sudden surprises.
A good tip? Get started with our House of Weddings planning tool!
3. Why is a script so easy?
A script provides clarity. Organizing your wedding day takes a lot of energy and time, sometimes you don't know what to do first. With a script you keep an overview.
A script obliges you to thoroughly discuss all the arrangements with all your wedding professionals beforehand. How do you and they see it, what is feasible, what are the possibilities or alternatives, ...
All appointments and contact details are listed in the script. This way, you can perfectly pass on the complete document to a third party, and you can fully enjoy your wedding day!
4. For whom do you make a script?
In the first place for yourself, to plan your wedding day smoothly and not overlook anything. It will also help you to know each other's expectations. A script obliges you to have a dialogue with your partner early on in the planning process. This document obliges you to talk through all the options.
For all your wedding professionals, your script is a real guide during your wedding day. All your wishes are listed in it. If you don't work with a wedding planner or master of ceremonies, ask a good friend or family member to manage your script on your wedding day.
You can also go over the script with the most important people in your honeymoon suite beforehand. Send it to your parents, best men and bridesmaids so they know what will happen and when. In this way, you will reassure them and they will know what is expected of them.
5. What do you take into account?
Be detailed: describe in your script all the activities, from the deliveries before your wedding day, to all the pick-ups after your party
Work chronologically, and put a time on all planned events
Make your script up to the minute! And assign a time slot to each activity. Ask all wedding professionals how much time they need.
We can't stress this enough: schedule enough time with your wedding photographer! You never want to regret not having enough photos taken - of you as a couple, your parents and the rest of the suite!
Do the math, and allow for some time margin for flexible planning. If the greeting takes a bit longer after your ceremony, you won't have to rush into the ceremony car to be in time for the next activity.
Put all relevant addresses and contact details in your script. Include the mobile phone numbers of both suppliers and your bridal suite in the document. That way, even your wedding planner or master of ceremonies will quickly find any overslept, lost or leaking suit members.
Finally, you can also link a responsible person and address to each activity or event, so you know exactly who has to do what and when.
6. Go with the flow!
A script is a guideline - not an exact science. Don't panic if something goes differently on your wedding day than planned! Go with the flow, enjoy and let go of your script. Sometimes the best moments happen just where you didn't expect them to...
