wedding lunch AD schedule ✨😍
Sharing our AD schedule for our lunch reception! For context, we wanted to hold the morning tea ceremonies at our parents’ place (instead of at the venue, which we understand many people may opt for to save traveling time), as we personally felt that it was more meaningful. However, for this to work, it also meant we had to make some changes to the traditional schedule - for us, we held the tea ceremony at the bride’s place first before heading to the groom’s. From our understanding, traditionally the tea ceremony should be held at the groom’s side first, but thankfully the husband’s parents were more chill/understanding in this case :’)
Here’s an overview of our schedule for reference:
🕰️ 4 AM - 6.30 AM: Morning preparation, photoshoot
🕰️ 6.30 AM - 8 AM: Gatecrash, veiling & unveiling, tea ceremony at bride’s
🕰️ 8.30 AM - 9.15 AM: Tea ceremony at groom’s
🕰️ 9.15 AM - 11:30AM: Travel to venue, change outfits & touch up hair/makeup, venue setup, first look, photo shoot with bridal party
🕰️ 11.30 AM - 3 PM: ROM and lunch reception
A tip which you’d most definitely hear from all graduated couples: definitely cater for some buffer time when doing your planning! Small delays here and there are bound to happen no matter how much you plan. But most importantly, take your time to fully enjoy every moment on your big day; be present and don’t fret the small things. If you can, set aside a few minutes with just your partner to take in everything and have your moment - it’s your once in a lifetime day after all 🤍
Planning a wedding lunch reception with traditional elements like tea ceremonies can be both joyful and challenging. From my personal experience, incorporating tea ceremonies at each family’s home adds a heartfelt, intimate touch that guests truly appreciate. Our schedule started very early with morning preparations around 4 AM and included thoughtful buffer times — which I strongly recommend. Expect some inevitable delays; these moments allow you to breathe and stay calm. The tea ceremony sequence is crucial and can vary based on family customs. We chose to start at the bride's place, which is generally less traditional but was welcomed by both families. This flexibility made the day more meaningful for us. Transportation between locations can be tight, so allow extra time especially for outfit changes and hair/makeup touch-ups before moving on to the venue. We found engaging the bridal party early on for photoshoots helped keep the energy positive and created a smooth flow. At the reception, having a well-planned timeline for formalities, speeches, and entertainment like games or performances increases guest engagement and keeps the atmosphere lively. Including unique guest activities such as an iron-on patch booth or an ice cream cart can make your wedding memorable. Most importantly, amidst all the activities, carve out private moments with your partner — even if just a few minutes to absorb the event’s significance. Remember, it's your once-in-a-lifetime celebration to savor fully. Using a detailed and flexible AD schedule like this, rooted in traditional customs yet adapted to your preferences, can help create a balanced, enjoyable wedding day that honors your families and delights your guests.
hello there! if you don’t mind sharing, for the 喜 board that you used as backdrop for the tea ceremony, what’s the height of the board that you got? thank you!