The DayOf Standard
A guide for a consistent wedding day
Haines Jones
Last Update преди 5 дена
What Is the DayOf Standard?
In simple terms, this is the framework your entire wedding day is built around. It is based on thousands of real wedding days and refined by professionals who do this work every single weekend.
If you are a vendor, this is the structure your services are built around.
If you are a couple, this is the structure you can confidently use to plan your wedding day. The good news - You don't need to know how weddings work. Our vendors already do!
The Standard DayOf Wedding Day Timeline
Everything is structured around the ceremony start time. So when you see C-3 hours, that means three hours before the ceremony. When you see C+1 hour, that means one hour after the ceremony begins.
This makes the timeline simple, flexible, and easy to build around no matter what time your ceremony starts.
Here is the standard structure:
C-5 hours: Coordinator arrives
C-3 hours: Photographer and Videographer arrive
C-2.5 hours: DJ arrives
C-1 hour: Officiant arrives
C-30 minutes: Prelude music begins and guests arrive
C: Ceremony begins
C+30 minutes: Cocktail hour begins
C+1 hour: Reception begins
C+5.5–6 hours: Event concludes
This structure is not rigid and can flex when needed. Every DayOf vendor uses this as a foundation for their pricing, and then they add extra value to go above and beyond for your special day.
How Vendors Use the DayOf Standard
The DayOf Standard clearly defines the base expectations of how each vendor fits into the overall flow of the wedding day.
Vendors use this clarity to inform their pricing with clear coverage time, deliverables, and expectations. As a result, couples can more easily compare vendors based on their extensive experience and added value they bring to the table for a wedding day.
The DayOf Standard is the proven wedding day structure that every DayOf vendor uses to inform their pricing, scope, and responsibilities.
In simple terms, this is the framework your entire wedding day is built around. It is based on thousands of real wedding days and refined by professionals who do this work every single weekend.
If you are a vendor, this is the structure your services are built around.
If you are a couple, this is the structure you can confidently use to plan your wedding day. The good news - You don't need to know how weddings work. Our vendors already do!
The Standard DayOf Wedding Day Timeline
In this timeline, “C” stands for Ceremony.
Everything is structured around the ceremony start time. So when you see C-3 hours, that means three hours before the ceremony. When you see C+1 hour, that means one hour after the ceremony begins.
This makes the timeline simple, flexible, and easy to build around no matter what time your ceremony starts.
Here is the standard structure:
C-5 hours: Coordinator arrives
C-3 hours: Photographer and Videographer arrive
C-2.5 hours: DJ arrives
C-1 hour: Officiant arrives
C-30 minutes: Prelude music begins and guests arrive
C: Ceremony begins
C+30 minutes: Cocktail hour begins
C+1 hour: Reception begins
C+5.5–6 hours: Event concludes
This structure is not rigid and can flex when needed. Every DayOf vendor uses this as a foundation for their pricing, and then they add extra value to go above and beyond for your special day.
How Vendors Use the DayOf Standard
The DayOf Standard clearly defines the base expectations of how each vendor fits into the overall flow of the wedding day.
Vendors use this clarity to inform their pricing with clear coverage time, deliverables, and expectations. As a result, couples can more easily compare vendors based on their extensive experience and added value they bring to the table for a wedding day.
How each core vendor operates within the DayOf Standard:
Coordination
What a Wedding Coordinator Does
Think of your coordinator as the executive producer of the wedding day. They create and own the timeline. They manage communication. They cue transitions. They make sure the entire structure actually works in real time.
Without a coordinator, no one is responsible for managing the timeline, vendor communication, or transitions. That responsibility does not disappear. It usually falls on the couple or their families.
We know what works. A coordinator is part of that.
Coordinator Responsibilities
What You’ll collaborate on before the wedding
Your DJ is both the music director and the Emcee. They control the energy of the reception and execute the timeline alongside the coordinator. They handle announcements, pacing, and transitions so everything feels natural and entertaining for you and your guests.
DJ Responsibilities
Your officiant leads the ceremony and ensures it fits cleanly into the timeline while meeting all legal requirements.
Officiant Responsibilities
What You’ll Collaborate On before the wedding
Your photographer documents the day as it unfolds without interrupting the flow. They know how to work within the structure while capturing images that become intimate memories.
Photographer Responsibilities
What You’ll Collaborate on before the wedding
Videography captures motion, sound, and emotion throughout the wedding day, especially the moments you will want to experience again. You will receive high quality audio of your most special memories, and fun highlight films that allow you to relive the day.
Videographer Responsibilities
What to share before the wedding
A content creator captures candid, real-time moments designed for quick sharing during the wedding day.
This complements professional photography and videography. It does not replace it.
Content Creator Responsibilities
What a Wedding Coordinator Does
Think of your coordinator as the executive producer of the wedding day. They create and own the timeline. They manage communication. They cue transitions. They make sure the entire structure actually works in real time.
Without a coordinator, no one is responsible for managing the timeline, vendor communication, or transitions. That responsibility does not disappear. It usually falls on the couple or their families.
We know what works. A coordinator is part of that.
Coordinator Responsibilities
Before the Wedding
- Build and finalize the wedding day timeline
- Conduct the final venue walkthrough
- Facilitate the rehearsal
- Arrive first to ensure proper set up and vendor arrivals
- Act as the single point of contact for all vendors
- Run the ceremony and cue transitions
- Coordinate closely with the DJ or MC during the reception
- Manage entrances, key moments, and exits
- Oversee departure and pack up personal items
What You’ll collaborate on before the wedding
- The final wedding day timeline
- Ceremony processional order
- Reception introductions
- When toasts, special dances, and key moments happen
Your DJ is both the music director and the Emcee. They control the energy of the reception and execute the timeline alongside the coordinator. They handle announcements, pacing, and transitions so everything feels natural and entertaining for you and your guests.
DJ Responsibilities
- Ceremony sound and music
- Cocktail hour audio
- Reception music and announcements
- Serving as Emcee for the entire evening
- Songs for key moments
- Playlists or artists you love
- Must-play and do-not-play songs
Your officiant leads the ceremony and ensures it fits cleanly into the timeline while meeting all legal requirements.
Officiant Responsibilities
- Writing and leading the ceremony
- Attending the rehearsal
- Handling legal signature of the Marriage License
What You’ll Collaborate On before the wedding
- The ceremony script
- Marriage license management
Your photographer documents the day as it unfolds without interrupting the flow. They know how to work within the structure while capturing images that become intimate memories.
Photographer Responsibilities
- Leading the photography timeline independently
- Guiding the couple and family through portraits
- Capturing images as the day unfolds
- Delivering a full online gallery of images
What You’ll Collaborate on before the wedding
- A family photo list
- Any priority moments or images
Your photographer will deliver images to you in an online gallery. Be sure to check individual vendor listing to see if they provide sneak peeks the week of your big day!
Videography
Videography captures motion, sound, and emotion throughout the wedding day, especially the moments you will want to experience again. You will receive high quality audio of your most special memories, and fun highlight films that allow you to relive the day.
Videographer Responsibilities
- Independently follow the wedding day timeline alongside the photographer
- Capturing the ceremony and key moments
- Recording audio clearly
- Delivering a full ceremony video and highlight film
What to share before the wedding
- Songs for your highlight film
- Moments you want emphasized
A content creator captures candid, real-time moments designed for quick sharing during the wedding day.
This complements professional photography and videography. It does not replace it.
Content Creator Responsibilities
- Behind-the-scenes moments
- Real-time phone-shot content
- Social-style deliverables
- Social clips or trends you love
- Moments you are especially excited about
Why the DayOf Standard Works
The DayOf Standard exists because weddings do not need to be reinvented to work beautifully. Here's what happens when everyone follows a consistent structure:
- Vendors collaborate more effectively
- Decisions feel simpler
- Pricing is clearer
- Expectations are met
- The process feels easier