Selecting the ideal start time for your wedding ceremony involves considering all kinds of factors, such as: cultural traditions, season, venue, and personal preferences. Here’s a guide to help you choose the ideal time of day to start your ceremony:
Consider the most important parts of your big day! Do you want 2 or 3 hours of dance time? When do you need to be out of the venue at the end of the event? How long would you like the cocktail hour to last? Those are some of the big questions that help to determine your ceremony time. My top suggestion would be to work backwards on your ‘day-of’ timeline, starting at the end of the night to help determine your ideal ceremony start time.
Consider the season of the year: If you’re having a spring or fall wedding the sun will set sooner than during the summer. In winter the sun will start setting around 4pm and if you’re looking for golden hour photos, you may want to plan accordingly. Here in Utah your venue location will also play a big role! If your venue is in the shadow of a mountain the sun will set sooner than usual as well. Be sure to check with your venue to determine when the sun will be setting on your wedding day. Late afternoon and early evening will provide softer light for photos and is a common time for your ceremony to begin.
Consider the start of golden hour. This means the ceremony would occur just before sunset. Be careful with aiming for this specific time of day. During the summer this would require the ceremony to start later and you may not have enough time for all of the things or traditions you may want to experience during your reception. During the summer and fall, this is an easier time to have stunning photos and still engage in the traditions you’d like to have during your day.
Consider your venue requirements. The earlier your guests and vendors need to leave the venue at the end of the evening, the earlier your ceremony will need to take place. Be mindful of their requirements.
If you adhere to specific traditions or cultures, please be mindful of spiritual leaders or requirements for specific ceremonies.
Personal preferences trump all! If you want your ceremony to start at 4pm then start it at 4pm. It’s your day - have your ceremony when you’d like it to take place!
Please be sure to add in time throughout the timeline of the day for transitions between the ceremony, dinner, and reception. Your wedding coordinator or planner will work on a timeline and will stick to it as closely as possible so your ceremony will start at the time you’ve decided. Finding a ceremony time that works best for you will help to create a memorable and meaningful ceremony experience.
