A summer wedding timeline should be planned out months before the big day. It’s important to have a plan so you don’t miss anything. You might need summer wedding timeline examples.

The best way to plan for a summer wedding is to start planning early, and part of your planning should include your day-of timeline. Start by making a list of all the things that need to happen on your special day. Then, create a timeline to see how everything fits in. Let’s move on and see what that looks like.

As an Ohio wedding photographer, I have planned more timelines than you can imagine, and we do it so that we have a seamless and perfect wedding day. Planning is caring!

Below you will see three examples, one with a first look and one without a first look, which we consider a traditional wedding day timeline, and a traditional catholic wedding timeline. Here goes your summer wedding timeline examples from a professional photographer 👉🏼

Wedding Day Timeline – Traditional

This timeline would be used if you have hired both a photographer and a filmmaker on your wedding day, from both myself as a photographer and a wedding videographer. Note that this timeline works without a filmmaker too but please make sure to allow time for both creatives to tell your story. A timeline like this would be a best if you are having your ceremony and reception in the same place; a place like Rivercrest Farm in Dover, Ohio.

1:00 Filmmaker Arrives, Begins Setup
1:30 Photographer Arrives – Begins Detail Shots
(bring invitation and place all special items in a box and have both dress and florals ready)
2:00 Bride + Bridesmaids Get Ready
2:20 Groom + Groomsmen Get Ready/Toast
2:35 Groom – Letter Reading
(bridesmaids should be dressed before bride is dressed)
3:00 Bride – Letter Reading
3:10 Bride in Gown
3:30 Pre-Ceremony Photos Conclude
(if the bride would like a first look with dad, this is when she would schedule that)
4:00 Ceremony Music Begins/Guests Arrive
4:30 Ceremony Begins
5:00 Ceremony Ends, Family Formals Begins
5:15 Wedding Party Portraits
5:30 Wedding Couple Portraits
6:00 Reception Introductions
6:20 Dinner is Served
(at this point, the DJ will take the lead and reception special events are scheduled loosely)
7:15 Cake Cutting
7:25 First Dance, followed by other special dances
7:40 Toasts
8:00 Bouquet Toss, Garter Throw (optional)
8:20 Optional Sparkler Photo Opp
(because some of the guests will leave before wedding couple, placing the sparkler photo opportunity at dark will allow the majority to take part in this celebration)
8:20 Party Time – Photographer/Filmmaker leave after special events and some dancing

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. The timing of this depends on the time of sunset on your wedding day, but this idea will help you effortlessly plan out your wedding day timeline.

Wedding Day Timeline – Catholic Ceremony

This timeline would be used if you have hired both a photographer and a filmmaker on your wedding day that includes a catholic ceremony, from both myself as a photographer and wedding videographer. Note that this timeline works without a filmmaker too but please make sure to allow time for both creatives to tell your story. 

1:30 Photographer Arrives – Begins Detail Shots
(bring invitation and place all special items in a box and have both dress and florals ready)
2:00 Bride + Bridesmaids Get Ready
2:20 Groom + Groomsmen Get Ready/Toast
2:35 Groom – Letter Reading
(bridesmaids should be dressed before bride is dressed)
3:00 Bride – Letter Reading
3:10 Bride in Gown
3:30 Pre-ceremony Photos Conclude
(if the bride would like a first look with dad, this is when she would schedule that)
4:00 Ceremony Music Begins/Guests Arrive
4:30 Ceremony Begins
5:30 Ceremony Ends, Family Formals Begins
5:45 Travel to Reception Location
6:10 Wedding Party Portraits
6:30 Wedding Couple Portraits
7:00 Reception Introductions
7:20 Dinner is Served
(at this point, the DJ will take the lead and reception special events are scheduled loosely)
8:15 Cake Cutting
8:25 First Dance, followed by other special dances
8:40 Toasts
9:00 Bouquet Toss, Garter Throw (optional)
9:20 Optional Sparkler Photo Opp
(because some of the guests will leave before wedding couple, placing the sparkler photo opportunity at dark will allow the majority to take part in this celebration)
9:20 Party Time – Photographer/Filmmaker leave after special events and some dancing

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. The timing of this depends on the time of sunset on your wedding day.

Wedding Day Timeline – First Look

This timeline would be used if you have hired both a photographer without a first look and a filmmaker on your wedding day, from both myself as a photographer and a wedding videographer. Note that this timeline works without a filmmaker too but please make sure to allow time for both creatives to tell your story. 

1:00 Photographer Arrives – Begins Detail Shots
(bring invitation and place all special items in a box and have both dress and florals ready)
1:30 Bride + Bridesmaids Get Ready
2:00 Groom + Groomsmen Get Ready/Toast
2:15 Groom – Letter Reading
(bridesmaids should be dressed before bride is dressed)
2:40 Bride – Letter Reading
3:00 Bride into Gown
3:30 First Look
3:40 Wedding Couple Portraits
4:10 Wedding Party Portraits
4:30 Pre-ceremony Photos Conclude
(if the bride would like a first look with dad, this is when she would schedule that)
5:00 Ceremony Music Begins/Guests Arrive
5:30 Ceremony Begins
6:00 Ceremony Ends, Family Formals Begins
6:15 Reception Introductions, Couple Joins Cocktail Hour
(couple has the choice to either join cocktail hour and visit with guests before dinner but can also choose to begin dinner after reception introductions)
7:15 Dinner is Served
(at this point, the DJ will take the lead and reception special events are scheduled loosely)
8:15 Cake Cutting
8:25 First Dance, followed by other special dances
8:40 Toasts
9:00 Bouquet Toss, Garter Throw (optional)
9:20 Optional Sparkler Photo Opp
(because some of the guests will leave before wedding couple, placing the sparkler photo opportunity at dark will allow the majority to take part in this celebration)
8:20 Party Time – Photographer/Filmmaker leave after special events and some dancing

Timeline Pro Tips:

1. If you can coordinate with your hair and makeup team to finish about 30-60 minutes after the photographer and filmmaker show up, you’ll be set for the pre-ceremony festivities. If you need help with coordinating this, just let us know!
2. 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. The timing of this depends on the time of sunset on your wedding day.
3. Every wedding day is different and although these are pretty standard timelines, you are allowed to make changes, be different and also, 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. After all, we just want to serve you well.
4. Make sure you allot time for interviews when choosing film for your wedding day. We want you to relax and allow yourself to be vulnerable. It’s a big day, we get it, and we want you to be able to enjoy it.