Start time for ceremony - which one should I choose?

If you're so worried about the lighting then why not start at 4? I think 4:30 will be ok as well but 4 will definitely give you plenty of that "golden hour" lighting that your photographer is looking for. I think 4:15 is kind of an odd start time.

I agree with Lauren - either do 4pm or 4:30pm. 4:15 is such an odd time.

You can put 4 on your invitation and start at 4:15, I've noticed lately that people are so late to everything and this way you get your 4:15 time and the invitation timing isn't so odd.

Invite at 4:00: start at 4:15.

I think 4:00 might be too early. We would be done taking pics before the sun is setting and our guests would be seated and watching our first dance during the sunset so no one would see it.

Invite for 4pm but have ceremony start at 4:15. That way there's time for the last minute people to get there & take their seats.

My FH's relatives are notoriously late so giving them 15 minutes would be my preference with a 4 PM on invites and starting a bit after that.

I'm also getting married in Florida - our sunset isn't until 6:30 though. That being said, I'm having our ceremony start at 5 even though we don't have cocktail hour until 6-7. This gives us some wiggle room in terms of ceremony start time so we don't run behind.

I say have the ceremony at 4:30. I had this issue as well and honestly, the sun won't FULLY set until about half an hour after it starts. So depending on how long the ceremony is (30-40MIN based upon what you're saying?) You still have at least an hour to get in some great shots. My invitations just said "sunset" because I don't have a venue that's keeping tabs on my time. Don't sweat this too much. All will flow nicely.

Won't a beach wedding in January be really cold? Florida still gets cold. I'd say start it when there is still plenty of sunlight to keep you and your guests warm.

4:15 is an odd time to start a ceremony, it should be either 4 or 4:30. Your photographer knows better than your wedding planner or your venue on sun lighting. Ask him if he thinks 4:30 would be ok, or even 4.

Hello Almost date-twin

I was worried about the sun as well... seeing as we aren't doing a First Look, my photographer and I talked about having the ceremony at 3 so there was time afterwards to get perty pics before the sun went down.

I'd listen to the planner more than the photographer. If you're worried about lighting, do some of the photos before so you don't need the full hour after. I agree not to start at 4:15, it's a weird time and I'd totally forget. Your guests probably will too.

When does your reception start? I suggest the time that coincides with that.

Yes, January is the coolest month. But the average is 75 degrees. Considering our guests are coming from below zero weather in Minnesota, we aren't too worried about it. It will feel like heat wave to us...especially I for us in full wedding attire!

I like the idea of having it be as warm as possible for guests. But I don't want dinner to be too early.We have the reception room until 11pm...if dinner is over too early that is a lot of time just for the dance. And we have a very small group many of which are not big dancers. And we only have the photographer for 6 hours...so I worry about pushing it earlier and having her leave too early in the evening.