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Just Said Yes March 2021

Ceremony after Sunset

Jenn, on January 12, 2020 at 3:55 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 0 7

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We are early in the planning process and I have a question for the group: My dream is for my ceremony to happen in the evening by candlelight (we will likely be outside or in a space with very large windows instead of walls). The issue is that in spring the sun sets late where I live, so this would require essentially starting the reception, getting married at some point, and then continuing. We could do the earlier part as a lighter cocktail party and then the serious dancing would happen afterward. My family is into BIG parties and wants dancing, drinking, dinner (no complaints here just noting that is what they will expect!). I am concerned there won’t be enough time for a robust dance party after a late ceremony (music is required to be off by 11 at latest in our area) and am equally perplexed about when to feed people in this timeline. Essentially, I am trying to make this work and could use form advice/experience. I am honestly open to abandoning the idea if it is really not possible to make it all work, but before I get to that point I would love any advice!

Has anyone done a structure like this? Did it work? When did you serve dinner or did you? Would you do it again?

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7 Comments

Latest activity by Brittany, on January 12, 2020 at 11:52 PM

Master November 2020
Kristen · on January 12, 2020 at 4:02 PM
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Hmmm...would do ceremony around 6 or 7 and then maybe just a two hour reception since music cannot be played that late.I would say around 7 you could do candle light and it may be sunsetting.
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Master November 2022
Chrysta · on January 12, 2020 at 5:45 PM
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Could you have the wedding in the Fall instead, when the sun sets later in the evening?
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on January 12, 2020 at 5:48 PM
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When does the sun set where you live? I feel like you could definitely have your wedding after the sun sets
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on January 12, 2020 at 6:21 PM
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Can you just change the time of year you get married so the sun will be setting earlier? Sounds like the easiest option.
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Just Said Yes March 2021
Jenn · on January 12, 2020 at 6:35 PM
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That was our original plan. Unfortunately the last few years we have had really bad wildfires in the fall and have had to wear masks and not be outdoors some days. They are also doing power outages in the fall to avoid fire damage and this year a lot of people had to cancel weddings due to lack of power day of. I think spring is safest for us to be outdoors/not cancelled, so i am essentially trying to fit a fall plan into the spring.

It’s not the worst thing in the world if I have to change it. I just wasn’t sure if anyone had ever tried something similar where the reception was split and whether it totally ruined the “vibe” or if it was fun.
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Just Said Yes March 2021
Jenn · on January 12, 2020 at 6:37 PM
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Do projections for that time of year are 7:30-7:45... I figured we could start as the sun was going down, so it would definitely be over by 8 at the latest. That is 3 hours for dancing if we do dinner before. I’m just not sure if it will feel to jarring to go from ceremony to just like party with no dinner buffer.
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Dedicated January 2021
Brittany · on January 12, 2020 at 11:52 PM
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I don't know where you're located but is late winter/early spring an option? Say January-March?
Dinner first might not be awful if you're set on your date though. If your family is big into the party scene like you've described, seems like they could turn it on whenever. Just make sure you dont have any party music during your dinner, maybe limit/dont have any alcohol during the dinner part if you'd be worried about someone getting rowdy during your ceremony.
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