How to Choose Your Ceremony Start Time for an Outdoor Ceremony and Sunset Wedding
CHOOSING CEREMONY TIME
The two hours before sunset is a beautiful time of day, and it can make for a truly magical wedding ceremony. But if you're planning an outdoor wedding, it's essential to choose the right start time to make sure your photos are beautiful and your guests are happy!
I love how Photographer Lauren Garrison puts it!
“Your entire timeline will be based off of the time the sun sets. This time changes throughout the year. In Texas, the sun sets anywhere from 5:30pm to 8:45pm, depending on the season. That’s a huge difference! If you don’t check the sunset time, and you plan to begin your ceremony at 6:00pm in December, you’ll get married in the dark. 🌙” Read More
Considerations for choosing your ceremony start time for an outdoor ceremony:
Kenzie Galyean Photo + Film
Mandy Lorraine Photogrpahy
Double Knot Weddings + Kendra Due Designs
True sunset time is the most critical factor. The time of year will affect the sunset time, so it's important to factor this in when deciding. Your ceremony should be no more than 2 hours before sunset for an outdoor ceremony, especially if your ceremony space is open to the sky (open air). If your ceremony space is completely covered for the wedding party and the guests (not just the wedding party under a pergola), then you have a little bit more wiggle room, you can work with your photographer on.
The location of your ceremony space is factor number two. If your ceremony space is facing into the sun or wholly shaded or blocked by the sun, your ceremony time will be different. If it’s completely open and sunlight is touching your ceremony space and guests fully — you should have the ceremony as close to 1.5 hours before sunset. If it is completely shaded, you can move the longer period of two hours before sunset.
The length of your ceremony. How long will your ceremony be? If you have a short ceremony, you can start closer to the 1.5 hours mark and still catch the golden hour. But if you have a long ceremony, you'll need to start earlier to give yourself enough time, meaning two hours before sunset. If you have a very long ceremony, over 30 minutes, you will want to make sure your ceremony site is in the right light and start a bit earlier than the two hours before. This should only take place Novebmer-April in Texas. Ceremonies outdoors should never start more than two hours before sunset May-Octoer in Texas and closer to 1.5 hours before sunset if at all possible for lighting, photos, and guest experience.
Your photography schedule. Talk to your photographer about their schedule and what time they recommend for your ceremony start time. They'll be able to give you advice based on their experience and the time of year you're getting married. Make sure to explain and send photos of they are not familiar with your venue and ceremony space. It is key the understand where the sun is physically setting!
Here are some general guidelines for choosing your ceremony start time for a sunset wedding:
Summer: Start your ceremony 1.5-2 hours before sunset.
Fall: Start your ceremony 2 hours before sunset.
Winter: Start your ceremony 2-2.5 hours before sunset for longer ceremonies.
Mandy Loraine Photography | Creekside Patio ceremony space at Sparrow Creek Ranch
VENDOR INSIGHTS!
Outside of googling “sunset time [wedding date] [city, state]” and then moving back two hours there is one more important source of knowledge to reference! Your Vendors! The best way to choose the right start time for your sunset wedding is to talk to your venue, photographer, and other vendors to get their valuable insights and experience with your venue space.
But a wedding outside more than two hours before sunset is very rarely a good idea!
ADDITION TIPS FOR PERFECT OUTDOOR CEREMONIES
Consider doing a first look. A first look is a great way to get some photos of you and your spouse before the ceremony, freeing up time for sunset photos. This also allows a later ceremony time for better lighting and in Texas a much better guest experience (hello heat) April-October.
Be respectful of your own schedule! Turely a wedding off schedule usually includes a lot of stress, missed photos (no room for that moment with grandma when you are 30 minutes behind the ceremony start time), guest boredom, and early guest exits. Do yourself justice to the few hours you have on your wedding day and don’t be lax about your timeline!
