Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and timing is everything. The time of your wedding will depend on several factors, including the size of your wedding, the location, the time of year, and whether you want to capture the sunset or golden hour in your photographs. Typically, Saturday weddings tend to start in the afternoon or early evening, with ceremonies usually lasting 20 minutes to an hour. The time you choose will also depend on how much travelling your guests will be doing, and whether they will be staying overnight.
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What You'll Learn
Wedding ceremony times
The time you choose for your wedding ceremony will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your wedding, the location, the time of year, and whether you want to capture the daylight in your wedding photos.
Most Saturday weddings tend to start in the afternoon or early evening, with ceremonies typically lasting 20 minutes to an hour. Afternoon weddings usually begin around 1 pm to 4 pm, with 3 pm considered "prime time" for a wedding ceremony. This allows time for photographs and a cocktail hour before dinner, which typically begins between 4 pm and 6 pm. A later ceremony time may be preferable in the summer months to avoid the midday sun, while an earlier start is recommended for winter weddings to make the most of the daylight.
Evening weddings often start around 5 pm to 6:30 pm, with dinner and the reception following soon after the ceremony. This timeline can be convenient for guests as it avoids a long gap between the ceremony and reception. However, it may require a rushed morning of preparations for the wedding party.
Ultimately, the choice of ceremony time is yours, and you can plan your wedding to start at any time that suits your preferences and the overall vision for your special day.
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Catering and dinner times
Dinner is typically served during the first hour of the reception, which usually begins with the grand entrance of the wedding party. Depending on the number of guests and the style of dinner service, dinner can last from 60 to 90 minutes. It's important to discuss this with your caterer, as the style of catering will impact the timing. Buffet-style catering, for example, may allow for a more relaxed schedule, whereas a formal, plated dinner might require a more precise timeline.
After dinner, there are typically speeches and toasts, which can last from 30 to 60 minutes. If you're having speeches between courses, this may take longer. It's a good idea to allow extra time for unexpected delays, and it's always better to have a little extra time than to feel rushed.
For a stress-free drinks reception, it's recommended to allow at least 90 minutes after the ceremony before seating guests and starting speeches. This gives guests a chance to relax and socialise, and it can help to bridge any gap between the ceremony and reception.
Some couples choose to have a "first look" before the ceremony, which is when the bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day. This can be a private moment or a photo session with the wedding party. If you're planning a "first look," you may want to start your ceremony an hour or two later, giving you more time to relax and prepare in the morning.
The time of the sunset will also influence your schedule, especially if you want to take advantage of the "Golden Hour" for photographs. The "Golden Hour" is the hour before sunset, and it often coincides with dinner time, so you may want to plan to sneak away for a few shots during this magical time.
In summary, when planning your wedding day timeline, consider the time of year, location, size of the wedding party, and sunset time. Discuss catering and dinner times with your caterer, and allow ample time for dinner, speeches, and a drinks reception. If you wish to have a "first look," you may want to start your ceremony a little later, and always remember that it's better to have a little extra time than to feel rushed on your special day.
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Travel and accommodation
When it comes to travel and accommodation for a Saturday wedding, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, the location of the wedding and the distance guests will need to travel to attend. If the wedding is in a remote area or guests are coming from out of town, it may be necessary to arrange group transportation or recommend nearby accommodation options.
It's important to consider the start time of the wedding ceremony when planning travel. Saturday weddings typically start in the afternoon or early evening, with ceremonies often taking place between 2 pm and 6 pm. This means that guests may need to allow for travel time during the day, especially if they are coming from further away. It's a good idea to provide clear directions and, if necessary, recommend modes of transportation to ensure timely arrival.
In terms of accommodation, it's worth considering the needs of your guests. If the wedding is in a location with limited accommodation options, it may be helpful to block book a certain number of rooms in nearby hotels or guesthouses. This ensures that guests have a place to stay and don't have to worry about finding accommodation themselves. Alternatively, if there are plenty of accommodation options nearby, providing guests with a list of recommended places to stay can be helpful.
For guests who are travelling a long distance or for those who prefer to stay close to the wedding venue, it may be worth suggesting the option of booking accommodation for the night before the wedding as well. This can take the pressure off travelling on the day of the wedding and ensure that guests are well-rested and ready to celebrate.
Finally, don't forget to consider your own travel and accommodation needs as the happy couple. If you're getting ready at the venue or at a separate location, you may need to arrange transportation to the ceremony and, later, to the reception venue. It's also important to allow ample time for hair, makeup, and photography before the ceremony, especially if you're planning a "first look" moment with your partner.
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Photography and lighting
Natural light is the most desirable for wedding photography, and window lighting is a perfect, free, and effective source of this. Windows provide soft light that works for both the subject and the surrounding area, and is especially good for portraits. Overcast days provide the most even lighting, but can sap the colour from images, whereas harsh sunlight can blow out the details in the highlights. If you're getting married outdoors, you're at the mercy of the weather, and the sun can be an issue for both photographers and guests. Photographers should be mindful of this and try to preserve the highlights while capturing the moment.
If you're getting married in a church, flash photography may be prohibited, and it can also be distracting during the ceremony. However, a flash can add interest to a scene, and fix problems such as an underexposed couple or an overexposed sky. It can also be used to add the right details to a shot that already has beautiful existing light. Balancing ambient light with flash is tricky but can be worth the effort.
The time of day you get married will also impact the lighting. The "Golden Hour" is the hour before sunset, and this is a great time to take advantage of the best light of the day. However, this usually coincides with dinner, so you may need to be flexible with your start time.
If you're getting married in the evening, artificial light will be needed to illuminate the couple and guests. Speed lights, strobes, and continuous lights can be used, but it's important to meter for the background first to ensure you don't overpower the ambient light.
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Reception and party times
The reception is where the party truly begins. It's a time for dinner, dancing, and celebrating the newlyweds. The reception typically begins with the grand entrance of the wedding party, followed by the couple's first dance.
Dinner is usually served during the first hour of the reception, with speeches and toasts following. The best man and maid of honour will typically give a speech, along with the father of the bride and groom. This portion of the reception can last 30 to 60 minutes. After the speeches, the dancefloor opens, and the couple's first dance is usually followed by a father-daughter dance and a mother-son dance. The DJ or band will then take over and keep the party going until the end of the night.
The reception typically lasts between four and six hours. It's important to keep the reception timeline on track to ensure all events are completed before the end of the evening. Towards the end, it's a good idea to offer late-night snacks, such as pizza or dessert, to give guests a final energy boost before they say their goodbyes to the newlyweds.
The time of year can impact the reception timeline. For example, in winter, it may get dark as early as 3 pm, so a ceremony at this time would mean most photography would be in the dark. Similarly, sunset times vary with the seasons, so it's essential to consider this when planning the timeline, especially for outdoor photos.
Additionally, if the ceremony and reception are in different locations, travel time for guests and the wedding party should be considered when creating the timeline.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time for a Saturday wedding depends on several factors, including the time of year, the location, and the couple's preferences. The average ceremony time for UK weddings is usually around 1 pm to 2:30 pm, while some sources suggest 3 pm as "prime time". Summer weddings often have later ceremony times to keep guests out of the midday sun, while winter weddings may start earlier to allow for outdoor portraits before dark.
Wedding ceremonies typically last 20 minutes to an hour. Non-religious ceremonies tend to be shorter, around 20 minutes, while religious ceremonies can last up to an hour.
Dinner is typically served during the first hour of the reception. It's a good idea to allow 1.5-2 hours for dinner and an additional 30-45 minutes for speeches, which can be done before or after dinner.
It's common for weddings to start around 15 minutes after the ceremony time listed on the invitation. This gives guests a little extra time if they are running late and ensures all seats are filled.
Golden Hour is the hour before sunset, which provides beautiful lighting for wedding photos. Couples may choose their ceremony time to take advantage of this, especially if they want photos during the Golden Hour.
