So you're planning a summer wedding & you've heard of that precious golden hour that photographers are always chasing. But how do you build that into your timeline?
See below for some good examples of summer wedding timelines to help start building yours!
TRADITIONAL - 4:00PM CEREMONY/no first look with groom
A timeline like this would be best if you are having your ceremony and reception in the same place.
1:30 Photographer Arrives – Begins Detail Shots
2:30 Bridesmaids Get Dressed
3:00 Groom + Groomsmen Get Dressed/Group photos with boys
3:10 Bride in Gown/Group photos with girls
3:30 First look with dad (optional)
3:50 Moment to breathe!
4:00 Ceremony Begins
4:30 Ceremony Ends, Family Photos Begin
5:00 Wedding Party Portraits
5:30 Wedding Couple Portraits
6:05 Moment to breathe!
6:15 Reception Introductions
6:25 First dance
6:30 Dinner is Served
7:15 Couple sunset photos (optional - be aware of the sunset time on your wedding day)
7:30 Cake Cutting
7:40 Toasts
7:50 Anniversary dance/Dance floor opens
8:30 Photographer departs
Pro Tip: Allow 5-10 minutes for sunset photos during your reception. This time of day offers you fantastic lighting outside and taking a few minutes away from your guests after they are fed is no big deal.
TRADITIONAL - 4:00PM CEREMONY/FIRST LOOK with groom
The advantage of having a first look with your significant other prior to the ceremony is being able to do your full bridal party photos beforehand. This means after the ceremony you only have family portraits & then the rest of the time is Bride + Groom portraits before you make your reception entrance.
A timeline like this would be best if you are having your ceremony and reception in the same place.
12:30 Photographer Arrives – Begins Detail Shots
1:30 Bridesmaids Get Dressed
1:45 Bride in Gown
2:00 Groomsmen & Groom get dressed
2:15 First look
2:45 Full bridal party photos
3:30 First look with dad (optional)
3:50 Moment to breathe!
4:00 Ceremony Begins
4:30 Ceremony Ends, Family Photos Begin
5:00 Wedding Party Portraits
5:30 Wedding Couple Portraits
6:05 Moment to breathe!
6:15 Reception Introductions
6:25 First dance
6:30 Dinner is Served
7:15 Couple sunset photos (optional - be aware of the sunset time on your wedding day)
7:30 Cake Cutting
7:40 Toasts
7:50 Anniversary dance/Dance floor opens
8:30 Photographer departs
TIMELINE TIPS:
- If you can coordinate with your hair and makeup team to finish about 30-60 minutes after the photographer shows up, you’ll be set!
- Allow 5-10 minutes during your reception for sunset photos - usually after you two are done eating and your guests are still finishing up.
- Every wedding day is different and although these are pretty standard timelines, nothing is set in stone and it’s okay if it doesn’t go exactly as planned. Professionals are there to handle difficult situations and go with the flow of the day.
- Make sure you allot time for taking deep breaths. Your wedding day will flash before you in an instant and it is important to have a few moments scheduled to yourself before you walk down the aisle AND before the two of you enter your reception as husband & wife. There won't be many minutes to yourself once the ceremony begins - having these pre-scheduled into your day will help alleviate stress.
Emma Craven Photography is a wedding & birth photographer located in Western Pennsylvania. She believes in capturing life's biggest moments - the days you can't "redo". Her photos will reflect your day as it truly was - with a natural, moody feel, inspired by nature, she aims to capture every little detail so you can be present in the moment.
