Set the Stage – 6 things to consider

• If you have a vision or dream for what time want your ceremony to be, pursue that!
• Consider the season, month and day of the week when you are planning a time. Much to consider.
• Think about your guests, the number of attendees, any special needs etc.
• Think about photography and videography for the ceremony time.
• Consider parking and accessibility for the time of the ceremony at any location.
• If you are having a reception, make sure that you can execute the timing of that close to your beach wedding ceremony time.

1) Pursue Your Dream or Vision of What Time the Beach Wedding Ceremony Should Start

• • This is one of the most important moments in your life. If you have a mental picture of hat it should be, then pursue that dream or option!
    • Know that ceremony start time should be carefully considered with season, date etc
    • Look at tons of photos. Find the vibe or aesthetic that you love. Look at our Facebook.
    • If have picked a date, talk with your planner about various start times during the day.
    • Share photos with the planner
    • If you are firmly set on a sunrise or close to sunset beach wedding, make sure that that vision works with all other planning details. Much more about this coming up.
    • Beach weddings are outside, and ceremony start times will be affected by
      • Temperature
      • Wind/Rain
      • Tide cycles
      • Busyness of beach – daytrippers
    • A good and reputable planner will do all the hard work and make suggestions. Listen to them, they are experts
    • Tell story about 2pm start on Saturday, in the summer, in busiest spot, at high tide.

2) Consider the Season or Month That You Have Chosen when Picking a Ceremony Time

• • Lets assume you have a date
    • What month of the year is it?
      • Listen to show 5 all about what month or season should I have my beach or destination wedding
    • Is it in the late spring or summer? .
      • Temperatures are very warm
      • Two optimum times are sunrise and near sunset
        • Sunrise during turtle nesting season is difficult , explain
          • You can do photography first, then the ceremony after sun is up
          • If you want sunrise, choose Nov1 – April 30th
          • Sunrises in east, we are on east coast. Spectacular results are possible.
        • Mid morning ceremony times are great! 10am is optimum
          • Temp is great, not max heat yet
          • Summer day crowd has not yet arrived
          • Plenty of time for any beach wedding setup and decor
          • Flexibility for the rest of the day
          • Rarely rains in morning in summer
        • Near Sunset is most popular in the summer
          • Weddings can start as late as 7-7:30pm.
          • Daytripper crowd has gone home
          • Cooler temps – shady spots available
          • Sweet photography – we do get color in the east on many nights!
            • There are locations where you can get photo shots facing west
          • All day to prepare, hair, makeup etc.
    • Is your date in the fall?
      • More flexibility on ceremony time.
        • After Nov 1st, you can do full setup sunrise
        • Near sunset gets earlier so 4 & 5pm weddings are optimum.
        • Afternoon weddings are more attractive since the temps are cooler and the beach is not as busy as summer time.
        • Much smaller beach crowds
    • Is your date in the Winter?
      • Late morning, afternoon or late afternoon by 4pm are great times
      • You are actually looking for warmer parts of the day as temps can be cool early morning
      • Much, much smaller beach crowds. Sometimes empty!

3) Think about your guests, the number of attendees, any special needs etc.

• • • Do a careful assessment of all of the guests and determine some detailed facts
      • Are their young children coming. Consider “get ready” and feeding times
      • How large is the guest list and what are the logistics of getting everyone to the location.
        • All driving and parking?
        • All inclusive location?
        • Shuttle service?
      • Do you have disabled or older guests who have optimum times during theday that works for them?
      • Are people flying into the area late the night before or even day of the wedding, which is common on Saturday weddings
      • Is this a destination wedding, where everyone will already be at the beach town location, that gives you more flexibility
      • or a local wedding where many people will be traveling by car to get to the beach? Travel time, parking, employment requirements etc
      • Do you have many guests that would have to take time off of work for a morning or daytime wedding, even on the weekend?
      • If you have a large bridal party, consider the total time it will take for hair, makeup and getting dressed for everyone, then add more time because it will take longer than you think!
        • Talk about how hair/makeup is the #1 time sink and cause of start time delays and lateness. How surprise additions (mother in laws etc) can derail a ceremony start time
        • We will have a whole show soon on the number one issue with beach/destination weddings. Late starts and delays.

4) Think about photography and videography for the ceremony time.

• • • Incredibly important to plan properly for treasured memories of your beach wedding. This means wedding photography and video.
    • The start time of the beach wedding ceremony will have an affect on this
      • Dramatic sunrise or sunset photography, is this your vision? You need professional photography, experienced in beach weddings.
      • Beach weddings can typically have bright sun conditions that will create shadows. Very important to use professional photography at all times, but especially in these conditions. The brighter the time of day, the more difficult the photography.
      • Consider the amount of beach ceremony and group family shot photography that you will have when picking a time. It may be extremely warm based on your start time
      • The more space and remoteness of the location, based on the start time, will provide better photos without people and chaos around or in the photos
      • Low to mid tide, with tide going out are always better ceremony times in general for beautiful setups and photography for same reason as previous point.
      • Videography has the same challenges as photography as light is everything, but video lights are rarely ever used so pick a time where natural light is still available for good results.
      • If you want drone video, which is amazing, the same principal as in the previous point applies.

5) Consider parking and accessibility for the time of the ceremony at any location.

• • • This applies to both destination and local beach weddings
      • The time of day of the ceremony will greatly affect parking availability and proximity of parking to the ceremony
        • Morning and evening weddings will provide the best parking opportunities
        • Afternoon weddings ok, but only in certain locations.
        • In Volusia County, you can drive your car on half of our beach, so this may be the best parking scenario in some instances. Currently $20 per car however.
        • You may need to consider shuttle transportation if your ceremony time is such that the location would would have limited parking , or if the guests would be better off not trying to drive (like if pregaming) or they don’t have transportation because they flew into the area and dont have a rental car.
        • Local weddings usually require more parking availability so ask your planner about the best locations, for the ceremony time you are considering. Talk about Hiles Blvd

6) If you are having a reception, make sure that you can execute the timing of that close to your beach wedding ceremony time.

• • As always the reception venue is the number one item to secure on your wedding date & time. Make sure that the start time of your reception works seamlessly with your wedding ceremony time. This would include if you plan a hors d’oeuvres and or cocktail hour.
  • For sunrise or mid morning weddings consider a breakfast/brunch food option for the reception. Lower cost and super.
    • If you want alcohol served, consider Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bars!
  • Early Afternoon weddings are not ideal for receptions. An unusual time for food. Odd for Children and seniors as well.
  • Evening weddings always work well with a reception to follow as it is dinner time, and people have already had meals throughout the day.
  • As always, hire a planner who can take all the pressure off and advise you of the best way to put the ceremony & reception together.

SUMMARY

• • If you have a vision or dream for what time want your ceremony to be, pursue that! This is the most important item.
  • Consider the season, month and day of the week when you are planning a time. Much to consider. Listen to show #5
  • Think about your guests, the number of attendees, any special needs etc.. This is a extremely important and sometimes tricky task.
  • Think about photography and videography for the ceremony time. Only use professionals and ask for advise.
  • Consider parking and accessibility for the time of the ceremony at any location. Very important for local weddings.
  • If you are having a reception, make sure that you can execute the timing of that close to your beach wedding ceremony time. Let a highly rated planner make this easy for you.

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