Rhiannon Hendricks
Planning a wedding can be a stressful affair, with many factors to consider, including the time the wedding should start. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, as the time chosen will depend on various factors like the size of the wedding, location, time of year, and personal preference, it is important to build in buffers to ensure a smooth-running day and a positive guest experience. This includes allowing ample time for getting ready, transportation, and dinner. For instance, if you want to take family portraits and bridal party photos before the ceremony, you should consider starting the preparations several hours earlier.
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What You'll Learn
The time of year
In summer, the sun sets around 7:30-8:30 pm, so a 5:30 pm ceremony would be ideal. This would allow for dinner to be served to your guests at a reasonable hour, and you'd have plenty of daylight for photographs.
If you're planning a wedding in a place where the sun sets later, like Kentucky in June, a 6:30 pm start time would be perfect, as it gives you ample time for photographs during the Golden Hour, the hour before sunset, which is considered the best time for outdoor photos.
On the other hand, if you're planning a winter wedding, you may want to start earlier in the day to take advantage of the daylight for photos, as sunsets during December are around 4:30 pm.
The season will also impact the length of your reception. For example, if you're planning a summer wedding and want to take advantage of the long days, you may opt for a later start time and a longer reception with more dancing!
Ultimately, the time of year will influence the start time and overall timeline of your wedding day, so it's essential to consider factors like sunset times and the availability of daylight when making your decision.
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Photography
On the other hand, if the couple does not require getting-ready photos, the photographer can arrive about 1 to 1.5 hours before the ceremony to set up and capture some candid shots before the ceremony begins. It is worth noting that most weddings tend to run slightly behind schedule, so it is a good idea to build in some buffer time to the timeline.
The length of time needed for wedding photos also depends on the size of the wedding party and family, as well as the specific types of shots the couple desires. For example, some couples may want photos at multiple locations, which will require additional time for transportation. It is essential to communicate these preferences with the photographer in advance to create a detailed schedule that ensures the day runs smoothly.
In terms of specific time frames, the ideal time allotment for wedding party photos is around 45 minutes to 1 hour. During this time, a variety of shots and poses can be captured, ranging from classic portraits to fun and creative expressions. If the couple wishes to include a "first look" moment, this should also be timed at around 45 to 60 minutes. This allows the bride and groom to enjoy seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day.
Additionally, consider the time of day when planning photography. Late morning, afternoon, or early evening are ideal, depending on the season and available natural light. Night photography can also be stunning, especially after the first dance or once all the guests have departed. Ultimately, the length of time a photographer stays can vary, with some packages offering full-day coverage and others providing hourly rates, so it is essential to discuss these details with your photographer to create a timeline that suits your specific needs.
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Dinner
Planning a wedding is no easy feat, and timelines are key to keeping the day running smoothly. The ceremony start time listed on the wedding invitations is just for the guests; for the couple, the wedding party, and the vendors, the day begins long before.
The timing of dinner depends on several factors: the type of food service, the number of guests, and how long it takes for guests to eat. For example, a buffet meal will be quicker than a plated three-course meal, and the number of guests will impact the duration of dinner. Typically, a dinner service for 150 individuals will last around an hour and a half.
If you're having a traditional cocktail hour, dinner is usually served between an hour and an hour and a half after the guests arrive. However, if you're having a more relaxed ceremony at the same location as the reception, dinner might start earlier, perhaps around 4 pm. On the other hand, if you're having a religious service before the vows, guests may need a break, so dinner could be served later, around 6 pm.
Some couples prefer to have speeches before dinner, as it's a nice way to round off that time before sitting down to eat. It also means the speakers won't be nervous while trying to enjoy their meal. Toasts can also be made during dinner, as the best man and maid of honor can offer their toasts as dinner is wrapping up. However, it's important to set a time limit for the toasts, typically no more than five minutes, and to advise your speakers to stay within that limit.
It's worth noting that timelines are just guidelines, and things may not always go according to plan. Be prepared to adjust and remain flexible.
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Speeches
There are no set rules for the order of speeches or when they should happen, but there are some traditional guidelines. The wedding speech portion of the reception should last no more than 40 minutes to prevent boredom, with individual speeches lasting between 2 and 5 minutes. A good rule of thumb is to keep the total time for speeches to 20 minutes maximum, and then divide that time by the number of speakers. For example, if you have four speakers, each speech should be around 5 minutes.
The traditional order of speeches is as follows: first, the father of the bride (or a close family friend) welcomes the guests. If the father of the bride isn't present, this can be done by the mother of the bride or another family member. The groom goes next, thanking everyone for attending. Then comes the best man, followed by the maid of honour. The best man's speech usually finishes off the wedding speeches.
However, this order can be changed according to personal preference. For example, some couples opt to have the best man speak first, followed by the maid of honour. Additionally, LGBTQ+ weddings often have both partners speak, or just one, depending on their preference.
There are also some suggestions for the best time to have the speeches. One option is to have them early on, right after everyone is seated, so that the speakers can relax and enjoy the rest of the evening stress-free. Another option is to wait until after the main course, as this is the longest part of the meal, allowing for more time for talking without interruption. If you're planning something more casual than a seated dinner, you might want to have the speeches when guests have their signature cocktail in hand.
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Travel
When it comes to travel, there are a few things to consider to ensure your wedding starts on time. Firstly, if your wedding ceremony and reception are at different venues, be sure to account for travel time between the two locations. This will impact the overall timeline of your wedding day, so it's important to factor this in.
For out-of-town guests, it's considerate to give them ample notice to plan their travel. It's recommended to send out save-the-dates early, especially for those who need to request time off work and book flights and accommodations. You may also want to reserve a block of hotel rooms for these guests to ensure their comfort and convenience.
In terms of the wedding day itself, it's common for guests to arrive 15-30 minutes before the ceremony start time. This allows them to find their seats and get settled, especially if they need to remove coats or check them in during the winter months. However, some guests may arrive even earlier, up to 45 minutes to an hour before the start time, so it's something to be mindful of when planning the timeline.
If you have a large guest list, this will also impact the time it takes for everyone to get settled and seated. In addition, if you're having a first look before the ceremony, you may want to consider starting the ceremony an hour or two later to allow for a more relaxed morning with hair and makeup.
Lastly, when planning the timeline for the bridal party's preparations, don't forget to double the travel time if they need to get to a salon, and ensure there's ample time for hair, makeup, and photos. A bridal party of four to five people typically requires four to five hours to get ready, and you may need to add more time for larger groups.
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Frequently asked questions
The time you choose to start your wedding ceremony will depend on several factors, including the size of your wedding, the location, the time of year, and whether there is travel involved. For example, if you want to take photos before the ceremony, you might start as early as 5 hours before. If you're doing hair and makeup on-site, you'll need to factor this in, too. The ceremony start time listed on your invitations is usually just for guests, and the day will start much earlier for the couple, the wedding party, and vendors.
The most common wedding start times are in the afternoon, with 2 pm being a typical start time. In the spring and summer, 5 pm is a popular start time as it allows for "bonus" portrait time during the reception when there's still light outside. In the winter, the sun sets early (for example, at 5:04 pm in Temecula), so you'll need to plan for an early afternoon ceremony if you want daylight.
The reception timeline should start no later than one hour after the wedding ceremony unless you plan activities to entertain your guests. This hour gap is typical and allows for couple and family photos.
