A Twilight Wedding: Everything You Need To Know
You may have heard of a ‘Twilight Wedding’, or you may not. Before you start imagining Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, this is not that type of wedding.
A Twilight Wedding, in essence, is a ceremony after 5:30 pm, then straight to a reception – the wedding breakfast is not included. Twilight packages are often available through October – March. They are hosted by a number of different types of wedding venues.
The usual order of a Twilight Wedding:
5 pm – 5:45 pm = Arrival drinks and canapés for guests
5:45 pm – 6 pm = Guests make their way to their seats
6 pm = Ceremony starts
6:45 pm = Ceremony concludes
6:45 pm – 7 pm = Guests make their way to the reception
7 pm – 12 am = PARTY!
The Benefits:
Its Cheaper
If you are a couple operating on a budget or simply do not want to spend a fortune on your wedding a twilight wedding tends to be a cheaper option than a traditional wedding. As you are cutting out the wedding breakfast and other elements you overall price of the package is not as expensive.
Saving your money may also allow you to relocate it to other areas for your big day. It could mean that you can buy that dream wedding dress.
Its Unique
A twilight ceremony can be unique to many other weddings. Its time and settings offer a different scenery and backdrop. The setting of the sun, the warm orange and red hues whilst you say the words ‘I Do’.
Its Shorter
A long ceremony and wedding day is not always the dream of some brides. A twilight wedding offers you the chance of shortening your day and arriving at the PARTY sooner rather than later.
Tips for the perfect Twilight Wedding
Now you know what a Twilight Wedding is, here are some helpful tips to consider if you are leaning towards a Twilight Wedding.
1. Timing is VERY important
If you want a sunset wedding, make sure to research the sunset for your chosen wedding day. The season at which you are having your wedding day will indicate when to expect your sunset. When you check your sunset time don’t just check once, make sure to double and triple check the time to ensure you do not miss or peak too early. If you would rather the sun set during your photos rather than the ceremony, we advise beginning the ceremony at least 30 minutes before the timed sunset.
2. Location is vital
Tip: Visit your venue in the evening, at sunset and at night to make sure it is how you envision it and get a clear picture of how your wedding will look on the big day.
Some great questions to ask yourself when at the venue are, is the sunset going to blind your guests, or you? Will the lighting clash with your colour scheme? What other lighting will suit the venue at night?
3. Consider your lighting carefully
There are many lighting options to suit the aesthetic you are aiming for, remember a majority of your wedding will be in darkness so choose lights which are visually appealing as well as providing sufficient lighting for guests. Some examples of lighting option include Chinese lanterns, fairy lights, candles, accent lights, show lights- the list goes on!
4. Consider your entertainment
Entertainment is a staple during your reception because you know your reception will most likely be at night so why not choose a type of entertainment to play to this… Fire breathers? Fire dancers? DJ set with club lights? Glow in the dark dancers? Tea light dancers? There are so many unusual entertainment options for you to consider.
If you are considering having a Twilight Wedding, take a look at Our Suppliers list to be inspired!