Wedding Start Time: What Really Happens

There are many factors to consider when deciding on a wedding start time, and the time you choose will depend on the size of your wedding, the location, the time of year, and other personal preferences. The average ceremony time for UK weddings is usually around 1 pm to 2:30 pm, but you can plan your wedding to start at any time you like. For example, if you're planning an outdoor ceremony, you might want to avoid peak heat hours during the summertime, or plan around sunset times for the best lighting. It's also important to consider how long you want your evening reception to be, especially if you've booked entertainment, and work backward from there.

Photography

Planning Your Timeline

Start by figuring out the portraits you want. While the focus will be on you and your spouse, you'll probably want family and wedding party photos too. Discuss with your photographer, who can provide a "suggested formals list" of portrait groupings that you can edit based on your needs. Remember, the more portraits you take, the more time you'll spend away from the wedding celebrations.

Locations

Once you've decided on the types of photos, it's time to choose your locations. The easiest spots are your wedding ceremony location and/or reception venue. The hotel where you're getting ready can also be a good option. If you have a dream location, such as a beach or park, be sure to factor travel time into your timeline and plan transportation.

The "First Look"

Decide whether you want to do a "first look" before the ceremony. Many photographers recommend this as it allows you to take most of your wedding photos beforehand, so you can enjoy the cocktail hour with your guests. If you stick with tradition and wait until the ceremony, you'll likely spend the cocktail hour taking portraits.

Timing

Discuss with your photographer how much time they will need for the different types of portraits. Wedding party portraits usually take about 30 minutes, family portraits (if only photographing close family) take around 30 minutes, and couple portraits are typically between 45 minutes to an hour. If you're doing a "first look," these can all be completed before the ceremony. If not, separate family formals and wedding party photos can still be taken beforehand, but couple portraits will be during the cocktail hour.

Other Considerations

When planning your timeline, consider the time of year and sunset times, especially if you want outdoor photos. You'll also want to think about the availability of your venue and how long you have the space for. For example, if you have the venue for five hours and want to party until 10 pm, starting the ceremony at 5 pm will maximise your time. Private estates and boutique properties may give you the option of a full-day hire, allowing an earlier start.

Sample Timeline

11:30 am - Photographer Arrives

12 pm - 1 pm - Getting Ready Photos

1:15 pm - 2 pm - First Look and Couple Portraits

2:15 pm - 2:45 pm - Wedding Party Portraits

2:45 pm - 3:30 pm - Family Portraits (during cocktail hour)

4:30 pm - 5 pm - Ceremony

5 pm - Cocktail Hour

6 pm - Wedding Reception

Remember, every wedding is unique, and this is just a suggested timeline. Work with your photographer and wedding planner to create a schedule that suits your specific needs and preferences.

Catering

Six to Eight Months Before the Wedding:

Shortlist the best wedding catering companies in your area, keeping your options limited to make decision-making easier. Once you've chosen a caterer, set up a meeting to discuss your menu options and package deals. Review the catering contract carefully, and don't forget to ask questions and clarify any doubts before signing. Finalize the contract with your chosen caterer and make the necessary deposit.

Four to Six Months Before the Wedding:

Finalize the guest list and confirm the number of attendees with the caterers. This is also the time to discuss any special dietary requirements or requests with your caterers.

Two to Three Months Before the Wedding:

While food is the most significant aspect, don't forget about other details like seating arrangements and any rental items you may need, such as linens, tables, and chairs. Finalize the floor plan and approve the seating arrangement with your caterers.

One Month Before the Wedding:

Review the catering contract again and make any necessary changes. Confirm the timeline of the wedding day with the caterers, including arrival times and food service schedules.

One Week Before the Wedding:

Reconfirm the final guest count and inform the catering company of any changes. Go over the rental items once more to ensure everything is in order.

The Day Before the Wedding:

Communicate your expectations and go over the final details with your caterers.

The Day of the Wedding:

With all the planning and preparation complete, it's time to relax and enjoy your special day. Indulge in the delicious food, celebrate with your loved ones, and create memorable moments!

Remember, it's essential to start planning early and give yourself enough time to make informed decisions. The key to a successful catering experience is clear communication and attention to detail.

Logistics

Venue and Timing:

The timing of your wedding will depend on several factors, including the time of year, sunset timing, and the availability of your chosen venue. Consider the rules of your venue regarding how long and how late event spaces can be occupied, and plan your timeline accordingly. For instance, if you have the venue until 10 pm and want to party until the end, starting your ceremony at 5 pm will allow you to maximise your time.

If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, you may want to avoid peak heat hours, usually between noon and 3 pm in the summer. In the winter, adjust the timing to ensure your outdoor ceremony doesn't take place too close to nightfall.

Guest Logistics:

Keep your guests' comfort in mind, especially if there is a time gap between the ceremony and reception. Aim for a gap of about two to three hours, which gives guests enough time to entertain themselves briefly without being too long. If the gap is only an hour, provide food during this time to keep your guests happy.

The "invite time" on your wedding invitations is usually set about 15 minutes earlier than the actual start time. This gives guests a buffer if they are running late and ensures all seats are filled by the time the ceremony begins.

Photography and Sunset Timing:

If you want daytime portraits, ensure your wedding start time allows for this by taking into account the daylight hours. The "golden hour", or the hour before sunset, is considered the best light of the day for photography. Use online tools to determine the sunset time on your wedding date and location, and plan your timeline to capture this magical lighting.

Hair, Makeup, and Getting Ready:

For hair and makeup, an 11 am start time generally works for a group of bridesmaids. If you have a larger group, you may need to start earlier.

Catering and Toasts:

Discuss timing with your caterers, as the type of food service and guest count will impact how long it takes to serve everyone. For example, it takes about 20 minutes for 100 guests to get through a buffet.

Dinner is a great time for toasts, as people are in a more attentive headspace. Allow guests to eat for a bit before starting the speeches. Set a time limit for toasts, usually no more than five minutes, to ensure the reception stays on schedule.

Dancing and Music:

After dinner and toasts, transition into an open dance floor to keep the energy high. A "last song" announcement from the DJ or band is a universal signal that the night is coming to an end.

Ceremony timing

The timing of your wedding ceremony is a crucial aspect of your big day and can be influenced by several factors, from the time of year and sunset timing to the availability of your venue and the length of your guest list. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you plan the ceremony timing for your dream wedding:

Season and Sunset Considerations:

• The time of year plays a significant role in ceremony timing. For example, during winters, the sunset can be as early as 3 pm, so plan your ceremony accordingly to ensure sufficient daylight for photography.
• Consider the "golden hour," which is the hour before sunset and offers ideal lighting conditions for photographs. You can use online tools to determine the sunset time for your wedding date and location.

Venue Availability and Logistics:

• Understand the rules and time constraints of your venue. Some venues have specific time slots, while private estates or boutique properties may offer more flexibility.
• If you have a five-hour time slot until 10 pm and want to maximise your time, a 5 pm ceremony start time is ideal, followed by cocktails and dinner.
• For outdoor ceremonies, avoid peak heat hours between noon and 3 pm in the summer. Adjust the timing for winter weddings to ensure your vows are not too close to nightfall.

Guest Experience and Comfort:

• Consider your guests' comfort, especially if there is a time gap between the ceremony and reception. A gap of two to three hours is ideal, allowing guests to relax, get coffee, or explore local attractions.
• Avoid long gaps without food, especially during dinner time, as hungry guests may become restless while waiting.
• If your ceremony and reception are at different locations, ensure you account for travel time in your timeline.

Wedding Party and Photography:

• Allow ample time for photography, including couple portraits, family portraits, and bridal party photos. Typically, 1.5 hours is a comfortable timeframe to capture these special moments.
• If you plan to take photos before the ceremony, ensure your wedding party and family members are ready and dressed accordingly.
• Consider a "first look" before the ceremony, where the couple sees each other privately, allowing for intimate portraits and ensuring more time for other photos later.

Traditional Ceremony Timing:

• The average ceremony time for UK weddings is around 1 pm to 2:30 pm. However, you can choose any time that suits your preferences and the flow of your day.
• Most weddings start approximately 15 minutes after the invitation time to accommodate late arrivals and ensure a full house for the ceremony.

In summary, the key to successful ceremony timing is to consider the season, sunset, venue constraints, guest experience, and your photography needs. By planning a well-timed wedding ceremony, you will create a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Hair and makeup

When creating a timeline for hair and makeup, it is important to consider the number of people who need services and the number of artists available. For example, if there are 10 people in the bridal party and only one hairstylist and one makeup artist, it will be necessary to start early in the morning. Communicating with the salon or artists in advance is crucial to ensure they can send the proper number of artists.

The location of where the bridal party will get ready is another factor to consider when creating a timeline. If the bridal party chooses to get ready at a hotel or Airbnb, they can easily go back and forth between the hair and makeup room and their own rooms. However, they will need to factor in additional time for travel to the venue later in the day. On the other hand, getting ready at the venue ensures that the bridal party can take time between services to set up decorations and ensure everything is to their liking.

To create a stress-free wedding day, it is recommended to schedule a consultation and trial session with the hair and makeup artists 3 to 6 months before the wedding. On the day of the wedding, it is best for the bride to have her hair and makeup done towards the beginning or middle of the timeline to avoid any potential delays. The bride should also coordinate her hair and makeup time with the arrival of the photographer to ensure that getting-ready photos are not delayed.

Additionally, it is suggested to have hair done before makeup to avoid getting hairspray on the face after makeup application. However, some artists may prefer to make this decision in real-time, as it may depend on the hairstyle. For example, if there are more face-framing pieces in the hairstyle, it may be better to do the makeup first.

To ensure the day runs smoothly, it is recommended to have bridesmaids or other family members arrive 5 to 10 minutes before their assigned time slot. This way, if any services are running ahead of schedule, there will be no delays.

Frequently asked questions