Ceremony time and when to have it

This is one of the most commonly asked questions I get as a venue owner. The biggest problem with the answer is that: IT DEPENDS. There are so many things it depends on too. So let’s put on our waders and get into the mud. First, know you’re crowd and your day of week choice. Do you have a cultural family who typically run late? If you do, put at least a 15-30min earlier start time on the invitation with the mindset you may start late. Do you have the reputation that you’ll be late to your own funeral? If you do, plan your ceremony time slightly earlier to accommodate yourself and not stress. If the ceremony is during the afternoon, will there be shade, you’ll need to plan the location based on lighting. and tree coverage outdoor which then moves us to sunset and the location the sun set and what time it happens on your date. At our venue, if you are wanting a later ceremony, the sunset is directly behind the water but moves along the shoreline throughout the year. During summer time, the days are the longest and also the hottest. So the best location is under the tree cover at the outer sections of our waterfront instead of the middle. Winter time the days are the shortest and the sun sets in the middle of our waterfront at around 5-5:30pm. If you aren’t planning a first look, then you need to allow more time after the ceremony for couples photos before the sun sets. Each photographer is different but most will want at least an hour for photos while guests mingle and take a break after the ceremony. If you didn’t have a first look where the groom sees you prior to the ceremony and you take photos together at that time, allow an extra 30 or so minutes to take couples photos. An earlier ceremony doesn’t mean you can’t have sunset photos too, just make sure to communicate with your photographer that you’d like to escape the reception to take those photos. An earlier ceremony time is great for guests who don’t like to drive when it’s dark so if you want those guests to stay longer plan an earlier start time. Really think about your guests, yourself, your family and the bridal party and then put all the personal preferences (and flaws, let’s be honest here) together and find a time that works best for you and yours.