Run of Show

A to-the-minute schedule for a New York couple marrying at the St. Regis from the Wedding Library's Claudia Hanlin and Jennifer Zabinski.

• Published Winter 2006

11:45 a.m.
Bride and planner arrive at the St. Regis hotel. Two hairdressers and one makeup artist begin setting up at the bridal suite. Bride arrives at the bridal suite for hair and makeup.

Noon
Lighting designer begins load-in at St. Regis. Bride starts hair; bridesmaids ready for hair and makeup. St. Regis to deliver buffet-style lunch to bridal suite for bride and attendants.

1:30 p.m.
Photographers arrive at the bridal suite to document ladies getting ready.

1:45 p.m.
Bride completes hair and begins makeup.

2:00 p.m.
Florist begins load-in and setup at St. Regis.

2:30 p.m.
Groom and groomsmen in his suite to get ready.

2:45 p.m.
Florist drops off gentlemen's personal flowers at groom's suite. Bride completes hair and makeup. Photographer goes to groom's suite to document gentlemen getting ready.

3:00 p.m.
Planner goes to groom's suite to oversee dress and preparation of gentlemen and to assist with boutonnieres. Bride's parents arrive at the bridal suite. Florist delivers personal flowers for bride, bridesmaids, and parents of the bride. Head planner arrives.
3:15 p.m.
Bride gets dressed.

3:45 p.m.
ride and groom's first sighting at King Cole Bar.

4:00 p.m.
Portraits of the bride and groom in Central Park. Rain contingency: Fontainebleau Room.

5:00 p.m.
Bridesmaids complete hair and makeup. Cake designer delivers cake to St. Regis roof.

5:30 p.m.
Band leader arrives to oversee load-in and setup.

5:30 p.m.
Family photos in Fontainebleau room. Escort card table set.

6:30 p.m.
Ceremony musicians arrive. Ushers in place in Louis XVI Suite to greet guests. Rabbi arrives.

7:00 p.m.
Ketubah signing (two witnesses, ketubah, wine, Kiddush cup, pens in place). Sound setup. Ceremony called, per invitation. Ceremony musicians begin prelude.

7:15 p.m.
Guests invited into Versailles Room for ceremony.

7:20 p.m.
Ceremony begins (kosher wine, Kiddush cup, glass for breaking, standing microphone, readings in place).

7:30 p.m.
Cocktail-hour musicians arrive, set up in Louis XVI Suite.

8:00 p.m.
Ceremony ends.

Bride and groom yichud; recess to bridal suite, head planner bustles bridal gown (champagne and appetizers in place). Cocktail musicians begin.

8:05 p.m.
Cocktails in the Louis XVI Suite and Library.

8:30 p.m.
Band arrives, completes setup on roof.

8:55 p.m.
Guests invited upstairs for dinner.

9:00 p.m.
Band begins.

9:20 p.m.
Guests seated for dinner.

9:25 p.m.
Couple announced and immediately begin first dance. Halfway through song, guests invited to join on the dance floor.

9:30 p.m.
Short dance set.

9:45 p.m.
Band leader announces father of the bride, who will give welcome, then introduces grandfather of the bride, who will give blessing of motzi (challah, Kiddish cup, kosher wine in place).

9:55 p.m.
First course served.

10:10 p.m.
First course cleared.

10:10 p.m.
Horah begins; short dance set.

10:30 p.m.
Main course served.

10:45 p.m.
Best man and maid of honor give toasts.

11:05 p.m.
Main course cleared.

11:05 p.m.
Dance set.

11:15 p.m.
Champagne poured.

11:20 p.m.
Dessert served.

11:25 p.m.
Father of the groom gives toast.

11:30 p.m.
Dance set.

Midnight
Cake cutting (champagne in flutes, plate, fork, cake knife in place).

12:05p.m.
Big dance set.

12:15 a.m.
Cake cut and served from kitchen.

1:00 a.m.
Party concludes.