What Time Should I Get Married? A Guide to Wedding Day Timings

So, you’re wondering what time you should tie the knot? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s one of those big wedding planning questions that can feel a bit overwhelming. And I know timings might not sound like the most exciting topic, but trust me, getting this right can make all the difference in having the most epic day ever.

So, buckle up for a bit of a chat, but I promise it’ll be worth it.

Forget the rules

99% of people copy what the other 99% of people do on their wedding day, and 100% of those people tell you that your wedding day goes by in the blink of an eye.

And it does, no matter what. BUT it goes by a lot quicker if you start your ceremony at 3pm, sit down for dinner at 4:30pm and try to fit all your photos and seeing everyone into a 30 minute window in between.

Seriously, your wedding day will zip by faster than you can say “I do.” Everyone says it, you’ll probably roll your eyes, but then the big day arrives, and boom, it’s over in a flash. My mission? To help you make the most of every single moment. And to do that, you need to seriously think about how the day flows.

So toss out any preconceived notions about what time weddings should happen. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Ignore those generic wedding timelines you find on Google, and focus on creating the day you actually want.

Oh, and by the way, your venue might suggest a 2:30pm ceremony start time. No clue why, it’s just tradition. But hey, let’s shake things up!

Identify your must-have moments

Sit down together and figure out what parts of the day are absolute non-negotiables for you. What are you most excited about? Is it the ceremony itself, or maybe the epic dance party afterwards? What moments do you want to savour, and which ones could you do without? Let that guide your decisions.

And hey, don’t worry about what your mum or Uncle Tony have to say about it. This is your day, after all!

Not too bothered about the getting ready part in the morning? Let’s trim it down and get married early!

Can’t wait to mingle with your guests after the ceremony? Let’s move things along and start the party sooner!

Eager to spend quality time with your wedding party in the morning? Let’s make that a priority.

You get the idea: customise your day to fit your vibe.

What we did on our wedding day

On my own wedding day, the real MVP moments were…

• Drink reception: Taking our time to chat and catch up with loved ones before dinner was a must. We didn’t want to rush through this part!
• Couples photos: We wanted our photos to be relaxed and have enough time to explore our venue while still feeling present at the party.
• Overall: We simply didn’t want to feel rushed after the ceremony and wanted to soak up every moment with our guests while capturing amazing photos. So, we had our ceremony at 12pm and dinner at 4pm.

Some folks (hello, mother-in-law!) were worried about hunger, so we doubled the food and laid it out right after the ceremony. And as for the getting ready chaos, my wife started hair and make-up bright and early, offering her mother-in-law the first slot at 6:30am (she declined, of course).

Let’s talk logistics

Once you’ve got your priorities straight, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Think about how long each part of your day will take. Getting ready, the ceremony, photos, dinner, dancing. You get the idea.

Sure, some timings are set in stone, but that’s okay. Let’s use them as a starting point and work around them to make the most of your favourite parts of the day.

And here’s a reality check: things take time. People dilly-dally, group photos drag on (more on that in my group photos guide), and in general, everything moves slower than you expect. So:

• Be realistic.
• Build in extra contingency time.

I’ll be the behind-the-scenes timekeeper, making sure everything runs smoothly. But having some buffer time for unexpected hiccups or weather changes is always a good idea.

Consider your guests

While it’s ultimately your day, it’s also important to think about the comfort and needs of your guests. If you’re planning an early ceremony, make sure everyone has enough time to get ready and make their way to the venue. And if you’re partying into the wee hours, think about how your guests will get home safely.

When does the sun set in Scotland?

If you want some of your photos in that soft evening light, it helps to know when the sun actually goes down. Here’s roughly when it sets in Edinburgh on the 15th of each month, in clock time (GMT in winter, BST in summer).

Month	Sunset in Edinburgh
January	4:10pm
February	5:15pm
March	6:15pm
April	8:20pm
May	9:20pm
June	10:00pm
July	9:50pm
August	8:50pm
September	7:30pm
October	6:10pm
November	4:05pm
December	3:40pm

Calculated with the NOAA solar position equations for Edinburgh; times shift a few minutes north or south. And the further north you go, the longer your summer evenings get.

Ask for advice and trust your suppliers

Not sure how long something will take? Lean on your experienced suppliers for guidance.

We’ve been around the block (wedding block, that is) countless times, while you’re doing this whole thing just once (hopefully!).

I’m so passionate about getting the timings right on your wedding day, and not following what 99% of other people do, that here’s my offer to you.

Whether you’ve booked me as your photographer or not, let me know which parts of your wedding day are your MVP moments, then hit me up with your proposed timeline, and I’ll give you my honest take.

And if you’re still in the brainstorming phase, get in touch and we’ll hash out the details together.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to what time you should get married. It’s all about what feels right for the two of you. Of all the tasks on your wedding to-do list, nailing down the timeline can truly make or break your day.

So, take a deep breath, trust your instincts, and plan the day that feels right for you.