Pros and cons of a twilight wedding ceremony
Pros and cons of a twilight wedding ceremony
Let’s be honest: weddings are expensive. Between the venue, catering, and all the little extras, it can quickly add up. And then there’s the day itself. Anyone who’s been to a wedding knows there’s often that lull between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast where guests can get a little restless. The free bar is open, so some are definitely taking advantage, granny is trying her best to stay awake, and the younger guests are starting to wander off. What if I told you there was a way to skip that awkward gap and get straight to the fun? Well, let me introduce you to the concept of a twilight wedding ceremony.
As a wedding celebrant, I’m a big fan of this style of wedding ceremony, and it could be exactly what you’re looking for. In this blog post, we’ll go over the pros and cons of having a twilight ceremony so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your big day.
Why have a twilight wedding ceremony?
The pros of a twilight ceremony
The cons of a twilight ceremony
Twilight weddings—are they for you?
Why have a twilight wedding ceremony?
Weddings are magical, but they can also be a long haul for your guests. From the morning preparations to the wedding ceremony, the wedding breakfast, and then the dancing – it’s a lot! Sometimes the gap between the wedding ceremony and dinner can feel like it drags on, especially when people start to get a little impatient for the next part of the day. But what if you could avoid the lull entirely? What if you could kick off your wedding ceremony at twilight, get straight into the meal or even straight into the party? A twilight wedding ceremony is one of those things that might just change the way you think about wedding planning.
The beauty of working with a celebrant (like myself!) is that there are no venue or time restrictions. We can be flexible with your wedding ceremony schedule and adapt it to fit your vision. Twilight weddings offer the flexibility to say goodbye to the traditional wedding day timeline and shake things up a bit.
So, let’s talk start with the pros of having a twilight wedding ceremony.
The pros of a twilight ceremony
1. No awkward lull between the wedding ceremony and meal
One of the best things about a twilight wedding ceremony is that you can skip that mid-afternoon downtime between your wedding ceremony and your meal. You know the one I mean – where your guests are left to entertain themselves, and you start hearing things like, “When’s dinner?” or “Are we allowed to have another drink yet?” It can sometimes feel like a drag.
With a twilight wedding ceremony, you can keep things flowing. You say your vows as the sun is setting, and you can go straight into the wedding breakfast, or even skip the formal meal and dive right into evening food and dancing. Everyone stays engaged, and there’s no awkward waiting around.
2. Save money
Weddings can get pricey, and while you don’t want to skimp on the important bits, a twilight wedding ceremony could help you save a significant amount on your overall budget. For starters, if you’re feeding your guests only once (say, with a light evening meal instead of a full-on wedding breakfast), you’re cutting costs. Not only will you save on food, but there’s also the potential for less booze to be consumed, which could mean a smaller bar tab if you're offering a free bar. Plus, fewer guests may be staying for the full day, so fewer people will require accommodation if your venue offers it. All of these small savings add up.
3. More flexibility with time and venues
Another great benefit of having a twilight wedding ceremony is the flexibility. When you work with a wedding celebrant, such as myself, there’s no strict schedule you have to follow. You can tailor your wedding ceremony timing to fit your vision. Want to get married after the sun sets? No problem. Want to have your ceremony and get straight into the party? I’m here for it.
This flexibility means you can also choose wedding venues that aren’t typically available for traditional ceremonies, such as places that might have restrictions on when you can tie the knot. With a twilight ceremony, the world is your oyster! If you’re a fan of the idea of having an evening wedding ceremony in a cool, unique venue, this could be the perfect option for you.
4. Intimate and romantic vibe
There’s something incredibly romantic about a twilight wedding ceremony. As the sun dips below the horizon and the sky lights up with pinks, purples, and golds, it creates a natural, soft glow for your wedding ceremony. It’s a bit more intimate than a daytime wedding and has that fairytale atmosphere that feels both special and intimate. Twilight wedding ceremonies tend to feel more personal, and they’re a wonderful way to celebrate your love in a unique way.
The cons of a twilight ceremony
As much as I’m all for twilight weddings (and believe me, I’m a huge fan!), there are some downsides to consider. While they can be fantastic for some couples, a twilight wedding ceremony isn’t for everyone.
1. Shorter day overall
One of the main things to consider is that your wedding day will be a bit shorter if you go for the twilight option. If you’re someone who loves the idea of having a full day of wedding festivities, you may want to rethink. By the time your wedding ceremony is finished, it’s likely to be getting late, and you may not have time to fully enjoy all the aspects of a full wedding day. You’ll also be racing the clock for certain things, such as a daylight photo session.
2. Limited natural lighting for photos
This brings me to the next downside: the timing of your wedding ceremony means you may miss out on natural daylight for photos. The gorgeous light that comes with a daytime wedding can be harder to capture in the late afternoon or evening. If having outdoor, natural light photos is a priority for you, then you’ll need to consider how much light you’ll have after your wedding ceremony.
However, don’t worry too much about this! With the right lighting, your photographer can still capture stunning, intimate shots. And, of course, you’ll have the beautiful glow of twilight to work with.
3. Risk of cooler temperatures
Depending on the time of year and where you’re located, twilight weddings can bring in cooler temperatures. You’ll want to make sure your guests are comfortable by offering blankets, heaters, or indoor options if needed. However, if you’re an autumn or winter couple, this could be a perfect way to make the most of the chilly evening air. The twinkling lights and cosy vibe that come with a twilight wedding ceremony can easily make up for a little nip in the air!
Twilight weddings—are they for you?
In my opinion, twilight weddings are truly something special. They offer flexibility, intimacy, and a chance to break away from the traditional wedding schedule. If you’re looking for something a bit different—something that feels relaxed, romantic, and fun—then a twilight ceremony could be perfect for you.
As a wedding celebrant, I’m passionate about working with couples to create ceremonies that feel personal and true to who they are. A twilight ceremony is just one way to do that, and I’d love to help bring your vision to life. If you’re considering a twilight ceremony, get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can make your big day one to remember!
