Do This Before Setting Your Wedding Ceremony Time!
You would think setting your ceremony time would be as easy as picking a time that works with your venue… right? WRONG!! 😅 There are actually a few really important things to think through before locking that in, especially if you care about how your photos look and how your day flows.
If you’re dreaming of soft, romantic photos, setting your ceremony at 1:30 pm in the middle of bright afternoon sun with no shade is probably not going to give you the look you’re going for!
So if you haven’t set your ceremony time yet, here are a few things you definitely want to think about first!
1. What time is sunset on your wedding day?
This is hands down the most important piece of the puzzle!
Your sunset time tells us when golden hour is, and I will forever be a sucker for golden hour photos!! It’s the softest, most flattering light of the entire day, and there is nothing better than capturing those just-married moments in that glow.
Golden hour is a short window though, so knowing your sunset time helps us plan ahead so you don’t miss it. It also gives us a natural “deadline” for when portraits should be done, so I’m not pulling you away while dinner is being served or right when toasts are about to start!
2. Are you planning to do a First Look?
If you’ve been around here for any amount of time, you already know I love a First Look!! There are so many benefits, but one of the biggest ones is how much it helps your timeline.
If you do a First Look, we can get most of your portraits done before the ceremony even begins. That means after your ceremony, you can go straight into celebrating with your people instead of spending a big chunk of time on photos!
It also gives you the option to schedule your ceremony closer to golden hour, then sneak away for a few quick sunset portraits afterward before heading into your reception.
If you’re skipping the First Look and want a more traditional timeline, you’ll need to make sure your ceremony ends early enough to allow time for all your family and wedding party photos before the sun goes down.
For example, if your ceremony starts at 4:30pm and the sun sets at 5:20pm, that gives you less than an hour for everything… and that’s where things can start to feel rushed real quick 😅
3. Is your ceremony indoors or outdoors?
Indoor ceremonies give you a little more flexibility, but lighting still matters more than most couples realize! Depending on your venue, you’ll still want to pay attention to where the light is coming from and how it will look during your ceremony.
If your ceremony is outdoors, this becomes even more important. You’ll want to think about the kind of atmosphere you’re going for. If you’re dreaming of that warm, glowy light, I usually recommend scheduling your ceremony about 30–60 minutes before sunset. That way you get beautiful light during your ceremony and can roll right into portraits as the sun starts to set.
If you’re planning a full sunset ceremony, you’ll need to do a First Look earlier in the day, because once the sun is down, there won’t be enough natural light left for all your portraits.
Choosing your wedding ceremony time is about so much more than just picking a time that “works.” It plays a huge role in how your day feels and how your photos turn out. Taking a little extra time to think through these details will help your day feel more relaxed, more intentional, and give you the kind of photos you’ve been dreaming about!!
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