August Wedding! Is 6:30pm to late to have a backyard wedding?

I'm with you - 6:30 is good. In August that hour could make the difference, especially if it's outside!

I don't think 6:30pm is late at all. For an outdoor summer wedding, I think it's perfect.

We are having an outdoor ceremony in August as well. It is starting at 5:30pm, BUT, guests will be able to stay inside an air-conditioned building until just before the ceremony, so if they arrive early, they won't melt. And immediately after the ceremony, they can go right back into the cool building for the reception. If there was nowhere for my guests to stay cool before/after the ceremony, I would push the time back to 6:30 or 7.

IMO, an hour is too long to ask people to sit outside in August temps. Especially the elderly or those sensitive to heat.

Thank you all. I wanted to push it to 7 but FH will have a heart attack and what is a marriage all about meeting half way. Well darnnit, half way is 6:30... ......

I wish we had a place for the elderly to go, but its in my parents back yard and though we do have the house they could go in, I'm nervous because I don't think 150 people will not fit, but at least we do have some what of an option for those really sensitive to heat.

I would do 6:30. However, keep in mind that is when mosquitos will be out in force - make sure you have plenty of citronella candles going!

That hour could also make a difference in how it feels outside. I suggest keeping it at 6:30 so your guests could be more comfortable in the cooler temperatures

I think it's a good time. My brother started his a 6pm and he was able to get all the pictures they wanted and it stayed light through cocktail hour.

6;30 is perfect! We do ceremonies as late as 7 all the time. I think people tend to stay and party for the same amount of time regardless of what time it starts. After three hours or so of reception, they just get worn out and head for the door whether the party started at 6:00 or 8:00!

We are having guest arrive early because our wedding has been kinda designed as a mini family reunion and since its at my parents home, we don't have to worry about extra fees charged for time that some venues may charge. Plus, family naturally are just going to be there early and im thinking that friends and co-workers probably wont arrive until 6ish.

But that's a great question you ask, @Erin, and because of that question I am having trouble picking a time and putting it on the invitation. What time would you all put on your invitation if your ceremony starts at 6:30 but you want people to be there by 6ish? Will people be made to find out there got there 30 mins early or is that the wedding norm?

I think 6:30 is fine but technically half way between 5:30 and 7:00 is 6:15.

I'm having a backyard wedding in August too and initially I wanted to start at 5:30, but have now since pushed it to 4:30 because our Pastor is unable to go later due to prior church commitments. And since we really want him to marry us, we decided to move up the time. I won't have umbrellas or canopies either, so I was concerned about the heat. But then I remembered a good friend of mine who has her wedding in June which started at 2 or 3, we were hot but then it cooled down pretty quickly. I will be having fan programs so hopefully that will help!