I've learned with My Wedding Stories that using the guest direction system is really useful. Tell them to take their seats before doing the walk down the aisle and the vows. And then to get them to get out of their seats again, they need to be told to go to some other activity (like cake or food).
I also don't like to put more than one tradition on the ceremony planning menu. I think it's nicer just to put "vows" on the planning menu, and then either do or not do other activities at the event depending on what seems like fun at the time, without it being a checklist to get through.
So far I have not done the whole suite of events... bach party, engagement dinner, etc. That seems tedious to me so far, but sometime I might try it if I have THAT couple.