Picking the perfect date and schedule
The Gray’s Inn Venue Sales Team would like to put you at ease with a series of monthly blogs to take you through the key hints, tips, and pointers for your big day of your dreams.
This will take you through the stages from picking your date, post wedding blues, to selecting the wedding attire and wandering how to capture the best moments with your photography.
So where to begin? Please find our upcoming blog topics below.
- October 2023 – Picking the perfect date and schedule
- November 2023 – Budgeting your perfect wedding
- December 2023 – Style of wedding ceremonies – your guide to the official ceremony that best represents you as a couple
- January 2024 – Choosing your ideal venue
Having trouble choosing a date?
Maybe ask yourself:
- Is there a date that has a meaning for you both – such as your first date, your anniversary, first time you met?
- Do you have a preferred season?
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Theming – Consider whether your chosen theme would be a fit for the preferred season. E.g. a festival theme in the spring/summer and a winter wonderland in the winter season. Outdoor weddings are best suited for the mild season.
- Auspicious dates – Please bear in mind that some cultures or beliefs have dates that are deemed lucky or unlucky to get married.
- If you are considering a guest list, then sometimes school and bank holidays can be more favourable.
- Oversees wedding – Ensure you check the local seasons for the most suitable weather as well as researching when is the best time to travel to acquire the most reasonable priced flights and accommodation for your guests.
- Consider a 12–24-month timeline prior to the wedding date. This allows you more time to plan, budget and ensure your engagement is not engulfed with wedding planning.
On the day, ensure you allocate time with each other to spend as a couple.
Suggested Wedding Day schedule.
9.00 Consider hair, make up or time to get ready
Plan in breakfast or a snack
Time to relax and have one last calm moment to your self
Florist arrives for set up
12.15 Transport departs for location
13.00 Guest arrival for ceremony
Couples will need to check with the wedding office on times for arrival in case interviews are to be conducted
Ceremony officials arrive
13.30 Ceremony begins
14.00 Ceremony ends
14.05 Group photography beings with confetti shot (venue permitting)
Followed by other group shots
Followed by couple shots and a moment shared together.
14.30 Reception begins
Entertainment arrives for set up
Cake arrives and set up
16.00 Call for Dinner (Can consider receiving line)
16.30 Couple announced into the room and Photo moment
Wedding Breakfast served
18.00 Speeches
18.30 Cake Cutting and First Dance
18.45 DJ/Band
Try to plan a moment as a couple
If you have evening guests plan a suitable arrival time and factor in delays in case speeches run over
20.15 Evening catering begins
21.15 Catering commences
22.30 Bar closed and music reduced
23.00 Call for final drinks
23.15 Music volume reduced
23.30 Bar closed
23.45 All music off
0.00 Guests depart
It is always best to talk to your wedding planner or venue co-ordinator on your available options to ensure the operations and logistics can accommodate your desired schedule for the day. It should have enough time to accommodate your suppliers set up, provides sufficient time for the food service, and allows you and your guests to enjoy the natural flow of the day.
No matter what, this is your day and regardless of what moans and groans you are faced with from your guests, plan this special day the way you imagine.
The domus building can be hired exclusively for weddings where you can have ceremony with two licensed rooms for up to 175 guests, wedding breakfast and evening reception – all in one venue across two rooms.
The marquee within the Walks means that in June and July, you can enjoy the piece of central London by booking our private garden space in the summer months to host your wedding breakfast and evening reception.
Our final piece of advice – Enjoy your engagement as a couple! Every moment should be shared, enjoyed, and treasured to look back in years to come. Each step marks a moment in your journey as a couple before you join in front of your nearest and dearest.
Email the team and we will guide you through your journey – venue@graysinn.org.uk
Many thanks to the Wedding photographers for capturing such magical moments.
Ginger Jam Photography
Liam collard Photography
Simon Carr Photography
