Weddings in the sunrise or sunset can be magical as opposed to a midday wedding. Less intense lighting, warmer photos and closer shots, and maybe the event could be more intimate and memorable. But when planning all comes together: beauty, comfort of the guests and lighting – there are planning concerns.
At this time, when planning a dawn / dusk ceremony, it’s not about fighting the sun, it’s about following the sun! This includes being aware of your location, what you are running out of time and ensuring that the elements of your ceremony fit the vibe you’re going for. It won’t take as long to prepare for, but a wedding with a sunset or sunrise ceremony can seem easy if you prepare for it.
Why Choose a Sunrise or Sunset Wedding Ceremony?
Of course, a primary factor is the atmosphere of couples who choose the sunset or sunrise ceremony the moment it comes to the reasons. When it comes to reasons, no doubt the main one is the atmosphere created.
These are best for photographers as there is a romantic light produced during these times which matches with almost everyone! It also can make your wedding feel more personal, as weddings with smaller numbers of guests are smoother.
Sunrise ceremonies are serene and fresh, just as if it were a personal moment before the world moves. Other weddings use to be warm, beautiful and dramatic; especially if you select colored sky. Both are beautiful, but produce a vastly different energy so it’s important to select the one that complements your aesthetic.
Choose Between Sunrise and Sunset Based on Your Priorities
Time is of the essence – there’s no right or wrong time. Whereas, if you’re looking for a more intimate event, and if it doesn’t matter if you don’t want to get up so early, maybe sunrise is a better option. Sunset is typically more convenient if you prefer a more traditional guest experience, and if you need to travel to and from and head to dinner afterward.
Take into account the season either, In the summer months it may be possible for both sunrise and sunset to be very early or very late which can be a problem for guests. Sunset and sunset may have a challenging summer when visitors want to stay out late into the night, and sunrise is very early in the morning. In winter both of these moves into the middle of the day – and can help streamline planning.
Work Backward From the Sun
The most essential element of any sunrise or sunset wedding ceremony is to create your timeline around the time of sunrise or sunset in the location of your wedding ceremony. It is not something that anyone would want to guess at. Determine the date and address (weeks, even months ahead) and then schedule events for the sunrise/sunset as much as possible to take advantage of the local conditions.
If your wedding is to take place at sunrise, a good time to begin your ceremony is a few minutes before or approximately when the sun is up. When planning that sunset wedding you will want the message to begin prior to the light being lost 20-30 minutes early in the sky, thus providing you maximum light conditions during the message itself and photos. This could have a great impact on the event’s ambiance and overall feel.
Build a Realistic Wedding Day Timeline
Once you have a ceremony time, plan the rest of the day accordingly. Here is where many couples misjudge the amount of coordination it takes. Hair and make-up, transportation, photographing, setting up the vendor and guest arrival is all within a very narrow window.
Preparing for a sunrise ceremony might require preparation to begin midway through the night! Although it might sound extreme, this is possible as long as the event is kept as simple as possible, and doesn’t end up seeming too packed.
A thoughtful timeline should also include time for:
- Wedding party preparation
- Final decorations before the wedding ceremony
- Guests seats and ushers
- Photos that you see on the first day or, in the case of a pre-ceremony shoot, the day before the event
- It may be a champagne, dinner, or other event after the ceremony
The more peaceful the timeline, the more everyone is going to enjoy it.
Think Carefully About Your Venue and Season
Not any event slot will be a useful one for sunrise or sunset wedding receptions. A place with lots of room and exposed clear sky is the perfect choice, you want the light to make it to you without even being obstructed by buildings or trees. If you do have a scenic horizon, like a beach, hillside, garden or vineyard, it can be particularly effective.
Another aspect to consider is weather and temperature. Do not be mislead by the expression ‘sunset ceremony’, it can be the same, cold or hot/warm based on the season and location of the event. When outdoors, be sure to find an area with an alternate solution in case of changes in lighting or weather.
Plan for Lighting and Photography
The light at sunrise/sunset is a great benefit and is not something that is overlooked and done wrong.
Discuss with the photographer the light and which times it will be best and what time they wish to shoot it. Even with a good photographer you will have to determine if you want to take portraits before, during or after the ceremony.
It’s also time to consider the way the light will function in the ceremony area. Adjustments to the position of the aisle and/or the layout may be necessary if the sun is going to be in the guests’ eyes. Simple things, such as that, can be the key to a pleasant service and one that enables people to see well throughout. wedding magazine can also be helpful resources if you are using them to get ideas for the printed details or a keepsake for the day of the wedding.
Make Guest Comfort Part of the Plan
Look of a wedding is not the only thing, it has so many connotations. That implies comfort, particularly when the wedding ceremony is very early in the morning, or towards the end of the day.
If you’re outdoors, consider the weather, lighting, sit-downs and even the route to your location.
Light breakfast or coffee/tea may be ANTHIMET on time of arrival for sunrise weddings depending on the style of wedding. Water and a cool drink would be very applicable for a wedding that has occurred in the evening if it is hot out, it is vital to make sure that there is enough lighting to get around safely after dark. A somewhat unusual time will be indicated on the invitation for a small ceremony.
Keep the Ceremony Design Simple and Intentional
These services are reminiscent of sunrise and sunset respectively, and as such need little in the way of fancy presentation. Too much decoration, in fact, can be a crowd. Instead, a neat and simple setup can prove to be more effective.
Hone in on a couple of significant elements that enhance the scene. Softer flower arrangements, dusk lighting, woven chairs for a sunrise at the beach, and a simple altar framing the scenery, all are possibilities. The intention here is to allow nature to take its course.
Mind the Flow of the Rest of the Celebration
Spending some money on a sunrise or sunset party can make a big difference in the rest of the wedding day, so it’s best to make some choices. A sunrise ceremony can start an afternoon or lunch time celebration or brunch, or precede breakfast. The sunset ceremony may be followed by a dinner or a dance or a candlelight reception.
Be honest about your energy level, and your guests’ expectations! Would anyone like to have a sunrise ceremony and reception at night? In addition to the sunrise ceremony, want the night-time reception? But if you opt to use a sunset scene and additional revelry, it could call for a longer celebration appointment for which you need to have vendors, venue far in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunrise and Sunset Weddings
What is the best time for a sunrise wedding ceremony?
Except for those types of sunsets, most sunset photography is done just before, or just after, the Sun sets. This will help give you some softer light, during the vows and pictures, when the sun is beginning to rise. It also goes to make a romantic, kind ambiance.
How do you schedule a sunset wedding ceremony?
Unlike other tips that are shared, Anastasia recommends beginning “around 20 to 30 minutes prior to sunset. Generally, this is the most appropriate light time for the wedding and for photos immediately after the wedding reception.
Take into account always the actual time the couple’s wedding date sunset and wedding location.
Are sunrise weddings cheaper than sunset weddings?
It might but it doesn’t have to. Saving money is easier when you hire off a simple, small wedding; if you start your planning early, it may be possible that you incur a few extra costs for hair preparation, make-up or traveling expenses. When considering over-all budgets, “Number of guests” is a bigger variable than “Venue & Vendors is”.
Can you have an indoor sunrise or sunset wedding?
Yes, but it’s NOT the same. But, even in an indoor space that has large windows or an open view, dramatic natural lighting could still be used in the ceremonies. Otherwise, it may be necessary to use illumination design for the sunny sense of dawn or dusk.
Conclusion
While it’s possible to have a wedding ceremony at sunrise or sunset, it does look best when carefully arranged. It’s going to take your start-up with the site selection, create a reasonable schedule of your event, and pick the venue for your lighting, season and guest experience.
Once it’s structured in a simple way and you consider the needs of comfort, the photos, and how the rest of your day will go, you’ll result with a ceremony that is both natural and memorable. If this type of wedding is a preference of yours, you will have to begin by determining the timing for the sunrise or sunset of your location and creating your wedding from there.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
