When planning the wedding ceremony, one big decision is, “What time should we start?” Because the ceremony time dictates the schedule for the rest of the day, there are several factors to consider.
1. Sunset. Sunset time is one of the most important things to consider! As a general rule, the ceremony should start well before sunset, and end at least one hour before the sun goes down. This ensures that you will still have quality light after the ceremony, which is important for romantic portraits together, as well as family photos.
2. Reception. Length of the reception is another thing to consider. An earlier ceremony start time gives room for a nice long party afterwards :) You’ll want to leave plenty of time to accommodate dinner, dancing, and any other traditions/event you want to include.
3. Venue Rules. Most venues have a mandatory end time. Your venue may also have a strict ceremony time. If your venue’s required ceremony window is less than one hour before sunset, you might want to consider doing a “first look.” This will allow the majority of the couple’s portraits and wedding party photos to be done before the ceremony, and ensure that you have beautiful photos in the best available light.
If you have specific questions about your wedding ceremony, and how it will pertain to your photography timeline, please feel free to contact us!
Check out more amazing wedding ceremony photos captured by our studio.