Daytime weddings

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We're having both the ceremony and reception in family properties, so timeline is up to us. I guess having cocktail hour while we do some photos would be fine. I am not having an engagement photoshoot, but I am hoping to get a "trash the dress" shoot the day after, so I don't expect we'll be taking two hours worth of photos.

I recommend checking with the venue if there are specific times for ceremonies, as well as what are cool places to check out nearby, or even if there is a cocktail bar for people to simply chill at.

The venue we booked with only has two times for ceremonies, so we booked ourselves for 3 p.m. and it should last no more than an hour (the actual ceremony and pictures with family/guests). That would mean from 4 pm - 6 pm, it will be cocktail hour for the guests to simply relax or to socialize. We, however, are having the reception at the same venue, so the guests do not have much choice.. BUT there is plenty of room, whether it be wandering around outside on the field or balcony, or simply inside where there is a large hall with a bar. Unless your guests are anti-social or hate each other, they will enjoy that time of socializing. A coworker of mines regretted it when her cocktail hour was only for an hour. She went to take pictures so when she finally returned, she did not even have a chance to greet others (did not even recall all the guests from all over the world until she saw them in pictures).

For me, the two hours of free time is needed though since we are doing a tea ceremony with the relatives and for pictures. I guarantee you that as long as there is a cocktail bar to relax at and/or things to check out around your venue, your guests would not mind the free time.

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I like that timeline!

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That's a good idea, I am actually drafting a little section on my wedding website with things I know will interest my family and friends. Maybe I can have an activity planned out for them!

I’m having a later afternoon wedding (3pm) we expect that we should still have plenty of warm sun for pictures after and reception starts at 5:30 dinner at 6. Also at 2 different locations just a few minutes apart. By 2/3 the UV from the sun should start to drop.

I get what you’re saying and I’m kind of in the same boat. I scheduled our ceremony for 1 and reception for 5pm as it’s a 30 min drive in between and my photographer asked for 2-3 hours.. I’m concerned that they may get bored as well but you can also recommend places to browse and grab a small snack. Maybe it’ll give them a chance to enjoy their visit in another way too right?

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So I gave this a quick glance now, and I just remembered that summers have really long days in Canada!!! I totally forget that! I think starting around 1 or 2pm is totally doable!!! I saved that link for future reference now!

Thanks again!!!

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Thank you so much!

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Thank you so much! We haven't decided on a photographer, we'll probably get a lot done when we're both in Hali this summer, it's a long-distance relationship so that's another extra hurdle as neither one of us is in Halifax.

We are doing a 1230 reception at the end of june. We are having a short ceremony, and reception is in the same place so guests can do as they please until photos are done. I'm so unsure of anything past the actual ceremony time, but I contacted my photographer to help me out, and she is more than happy to help make the timeline of everything with me.

Do you have your photographer yet? It's definitely worth a call, they do weddings all the time so I'm sure she knows the tricks of the trade for times! hope this helps!

I found this article to be helpful in planning my wedding timeline, they have different start times and you can adjust it to your needs. Hope this helps! https://apracticalwedding.com/calculate-wedding-timeline/