Ceremony Timing: Why it Matters and How to Decide
Your ceremony start time sets the rhythm for your entire day: portraits, cocktail hour, dinner, toasts, and dancing. The wrong hour can leave you chasing harsh midday sun or dashing through portraits by lamplight. But the right slot? It feels effortless.
My Goldilocks Zone: 4:00 PM
I love a 4:00 PM ceremony for a few reasons:
Soft light: You dodge that harsh, overhead sun and get flattering tones on everyone’s faces.
Golden-hour window: After walking down the aisle, we still have that dreamy, warm hour around 4:30–5:30 PM to capture bridal-party, family, and bride & groom portraits.
Dinner timing: A 6:00 PM dinner (6:30 PM if you skipped a first look) feels natural—late enough for a relaxed cocktail hour, early enough that no one’s yawning.
That said, the timing greatly varies by season…
Golden-Hour Ceremony Option
If you want your entire ceremony framed in that rich, golden glow, you’ll need to do a first look:
Portraits first (bridal party, family, bride & groom) in late afternoon light
Ceremony at golden hour (e.g. 7:00 in summer, 4:00 in winter, 6:00 in spring/fall)
Cocktail hour & reception under soft early-evening skies
This works beautifully (especially for smaller weddings)—just know in most cases we’ll need to block out at least 4 hours beforehand for prep and portraits, and all family memebrs will need to arrive early.
Early-Day Ceremonies
Couples sometimes choose morning or early-afternoon I dos. If you go early:
Portraits after: I recommend skipping the first look and saving bride & groom shots for post-ceremony so you’re not wrestling with harsh, unflattering sunlight.
Extended cocktail hour: Guests will need something fun while you’re off getting those portraits.
Not ideal for large families: I don’t recommend this timing if you have a big bridal party or lots of family groups. There just isn’t enough downtime between ceremony and reception to fit them all in smoothly.
When to Schedule Portraits
No First Look
Even without a first look, we can still save time by photographing your wedding party separately before the ceremony. Plan about 1.5 hours between ceremony and reception (depending on party and family size) to fit in couple shots, full wedding party, and all family groupings.
Yes First Look + All Photos Before
With a first look, you can capture the bulk of your portraits before the ceremony. Some couples opt to do ALL of their portraits beforehand. Though, I still recommend a brief session after the ceremony to take advantage of the best light for your couple portraits and to include any extended family or VIP guests. Plan to start your portraits at least 2-3 hours before the ceremony start time.
Yes First Look + The Hybrid Approach
For the most flexibility and best lighting, here’s my go-to:
Before the Ceremony
First-look bride & groom session
Wedding party portraits
After the Ceremony
Family groupings
Second round of bride & groom portraits (for golden-hour glow!)
This hybrid approach ensures you get both candid “reveal” emotion and that dreamy, soft light for your couple’s session, all while keeping the day flowing smoothly.
Quick Checklist for Your Planner
❑ Chosen ceremony start time (adjusted for season)
❑ First look? Yes / No
❑ Desired portrait timing (before, between, or hybrid))
❑ Approximate guest count & bridal-party size
With those answers in hand, you’ll have a crystal-clear timeline that fits your vision, and lets us capture every moment in the best light. Happy planning!
