Best Ceremony Time?

[*JillD*]

I'm still wondering about the sunset thing too, because is 621 when the sun is actually completely gone, or is that when it starts to go down, its really confusing! either way I don't want to wait to have my ceremony later, so we'll just deal with it, we're not having a lot of people anyway, so whatever happens, happens.

[JPMO]

Jennifer, 6pm is fine but it depends on several factors:

 

Resort end time

Is your group a bunch of partiers?

How long are you vendors booked for?

Etc.

 

I have included my tentative schedule. Times were picked because Dreams events must end at 11p. I wanted to maximize the amount of dance floor time and photographer is supposed to only work 6 hours that day. I hope and pray that they stay but if not then I understand.

 

6pm will only put you on a slightly tighter schedule but temps would have lowered and it would be more comfortable for guests.

[jfwolfe72]

These are all great posts!! The sun is supposed to set at 7:09 pm on the day of our wedding. So, maybe we should push it ahead to 4:00 pm instead of 6:00.....I just wanted to be able to have some photos with the sun set, but we can probably get those pictures from family and friends and don't need the professional photographer, right? Who would have thought that picking a time for a ceremony would be one of the things we need to think about?!?

[JPMO]

OK Jen I must chime in. Yes, unprofessional pics are good but professional are better. If it's a matter of starting early and forgoing professional sunset pics I vote NO.

 

There isn't anything prettier than the bride and groom at or near sunset. Don't miss out on it. JMO

[NATASHA]

Chiming in as well. Our professional photos as the sun was setting were absolutely beautiful. Our friends photos were nice - nowhere near the quality.

 

Also, the sunrise sunset calendar quotes the time the sun has set - not when it starts to set. Our wedding was at 4. We might have been able to push it to 4:30 but our ceremony was only 10 minutes long (to give you an idea). Our wedding was in November and the sunset calendar said sunset was at 5:48. We had a bit of time to have drinks with our friends before we started shooting all the family and couple shots as the sunlight became optimal right before sunset. That worked out well.

 

I never thought of this until we were actually talking to the photographer three days before our wedding. I thought 4:00 would be to early - SO glad that's the time we picked. It gave me the perfect amount of time to go for a walk with my husband in the morning, meet up for brunch with my BMs at around 10, get my hair done at 12, then my makeup at 1:30, have a quick bite, then change just in time to meet up with the photographer for a few pre-wedding photos.

 

So, my advice, start the wedding an hour and a half before sunset.

[laura b]

Since I'm having my wedding in July on the beach and I didn't want my guests to roast, I picked a 10:00 a.m. time. Then we're going to have fun on the beach til the evening, when we will reconvene for a cocktail hour and dinner.

I'm hoping to get a second white dress for that.

I'm really excited about getting married in the morning! It will be a chance to wear a "Just Married" bikini on the beach.

I know, I know, I'm tacky like that...

[BayBug]

I am having my ceremony at 11am due to rain in the late afternoon. I really want my wedding to take place on the beach. The reception is at 5pm. I am guessing people can go for a swim after the wedding and we will have plenty of time to take photos.

[itsme7396]

we just got married last friday March 2... so we had our ceremony at 4:00pm then our cocktail hour from 430 to 530 and the reception right after... i remember it getting dark pretty fast... but it was perfect because everyone was in party mode by then...

 

here's a link to our pictures.... you can see how bright it was during our ceremony... del Sol Photography

[jfwolfe72]

Very helpful feedback - thanks! And Julie - CONGRATULATIONS on your wedding and thanks so much for sharing your pictures - they are BEAUTIFUL and you looked absolutely gorgeous!! Where did you get married?

[jpkw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPMO Jennifer, 6pm is fine but it depends on several factors: Resort end time Is your group a bunch of partiers? How long are you vendors booked for? Etc. I have included my tentative schedule. Times were picked because Dreams events must end at 11p. I wanted to maximize the amount of dance floor time and photographer is supposed to only work 6 hours that day. I hope and pray that they stay but if not then I understand. 6pm will only put you on a slightly tighter schedule but temps would have lowered and it would be more comfortable for guests.

Jenetta - thanks for posting your timeline!! Maye was asking me for mine. Yours is so helpful - thank you!