I have to ask is anyone having their wedding in the early am?

I'd show up for the reception. That is WAY too big of a gap for people. 8 hours?!? What would you suggest they do?

I'm not even waking up at 8AM the day of our wedding. I would definitely try to put it later

If you know a lot of people are driving long distance and not likely to stay overnight, you are basically taking that option away by having such a big gap. Have the wedding and reception at one time or expect a lot of declines

Honestly I toured a venue yesterday and one of the dates I asked for had an opening for a 9am ceremony and it was like hell no....I don't want to make any of my guests get up that early. Especially if they have a 45 minute drive to the venue. But 8am...?? Oh man I'm sorry but if I was one of your guests I would've groaned once I'd seen the invite info. I may not even RSVP for it because of the ceremony time....

ETA-words

I also think it's way too early and too much of a gap between ceremony and reception. If I was invited to a beach wedding, I'm going to the wedding not expecting to have time at the beach for anything else. I think most of your guest will skip the ceremony and just go to the reception if you keep the times like that.

I agree with PP's that 8am is too early. If it started at 8, I'd get there at 7:45, and I'm not sure how long it takes to get there from where guests are staying, so say I need to leave at 7:15... that means I'm waking up at 6, at the latest, and....no.

I'll be honest. I would be attending reception only if I were invited to this. Especially after traveling 600 miles.

If people are traveling 600 miles, surely they are planning to spend more than just your wedding day at the beach. Let adults be adults. If they want beach time, they can plan a vacation or stay longer if they wish. But asking your guests to be at your ceremony at 8am isn't such a good idea.

I, for one, am a second shifter, meaning I'm up all hours of the night & just starting to sleep by 8am. Mornings just don't work well for me, and that may be the case for any number of your guests as well. Think about how early YOU and your BM's would have to be up to be ready for an 8am ceremony! Hellllllll no.

As for the gap, also no. No no no. Gaps are rude af. There is no reason for that gap, especially not if your excuse is so people can have "beach time". Wtf does that even mean? Host your ceremony and reception both in the evening and call it a day.

ETA: clarity.

I wouldn't go to the ceremony....i would sleep in and then go to the reception later.

I would sleep through your wedding and attend your reception only.

Do you really want to put your dress on twice that day? How are you going to keep your hair and makeup perfect all day? You're going to look like a wreak for your reception photos if your hanging out in the sun enjoying the beach all day.

Thank you ALL for the info and insight of the mixture of times . Everyone is coming even to an 8 am service but your right it's way to early plus everyone is staying at hotel which is where the ceremony will be.

I believe it's to early also just wanted opinions.

The officiant cannot do an afternoon wedding or anything after 11 am so we will probably do about 10 am and move the reception up to an early lunch time so people can leave right after.

I do appreciate everyone's advice!

I would skip the ceremony! Sorry but not sorry, I'm not getting up at 6am just to be at an 8am ceremony! Eta: funny someone else mentioned working an off shift and sleeping weird hours. I've been a 3rd shifter for 8 years (12hr shifts 7p-7a). I'm usually in bed by 8am.

That's early. If people want to enjoy the beach they will plan accordingly.

People are going to be late and miss the ceremony. I can't even get to work by 8 lol!!

I am doing a noon ceremony but with first look and photos starting at 10am I am already stressing about being ready in time. I couldn't imagine having to get hair and makeup done early enough for a 8am start time

Oh no no no that wouldn't work for me. I'd still attend (maybe) but I would not be happy. And then to have to come back like 8 hrs later? NO

I understand we are changing the times. Thank you all who wouldn't come to the wedding but would come to reception.

Makes sense I had to laugh at your opinions.

Most I greatly appreciated!

So you laugh when we tell you we wouldn't come to your super early ceremony with a huge time gap. Would you still be laughing when you find out your guests feel the same way? Because this does not make sense. You are asking them to wake up on their vacation at 6 or 7 am to get ready and be to the ceremony by 8 am, all so you can give them time to hang out at the beach before taking a shower (again, as they likely would have done for the ceremony) and changing (again) for your 4 pm reception (which is also early for a reception).

Normally, people would be able to relax enjoy themselves the first half of the day before getting ready and heading for the wedding. Have your ceremony and reception in the evening.

I don't usually have issues with gaps, but even I would not appreciate an 8 am wedding and have to get ready twice. Your heart is in the right place allowing your guests to enjoy the beach, but I would re-think the timeline. As another PP suggested, why not do a first look and pics with FH in the morning then the ceremony in the afternoon leading into the cocktail hour?

Yeah, I would either skip the ceremony entirely or skip the reception. Either way I'm not hanging around for hours and hours dressed up with no place to go.