Daytime vs. Nighttime Weddings: What’s the Best Fit?
Guess what — you make the rules when planning your wedding! Want to skip the cake cutting or even the cake altogether? Go for it! Don’t care for a bouquet toss? Leave it out! Your wedding is a day to make your own, so there are no wrong answers here.
As more couples abandon traditional wedding norms in favor of a personalized celebration, daytime weddings have increased in popularity for many reasons. But that’s not to say nighttime weddings have fallen out of the spotlight! Both times of day offer unique benefits, so it’s a matter of choosing the best fit for your vision.
Torn between the two? Keep reading for expert opinions on the pros and cons of each.
Pros of Daytime Weddings
While weddings have traditionally started in the late afternoon or evening, couples have increasingly embraced the many perks of getting an early start on their big day.
Most notably, you get to enjoy more daylight! “From the first look to your reception, you'll be sure to have beautiful light throughout your day,” confirms Megan Breukelman of Megan & Kenneth. Depending on your wedding season, extra sun could also mean warmer temperatures, which could impact guest experience for better or worse.
But if photography is a priority, Shantel Campbell of Wedding Venue Map notes that daytime weddings “will offer the perfect ambiance and natural lighting to achieve light and airy wedding photos.”
Another perk: brunch food! Who doesn’t love mimosas and eggs benedict? Bite Catering Couture’s Vijay Goel explains that daytime menus can influence the whole feel of the celebration. “It offers a different expectation of food,” he says. “A Sunday wedding with an early ceremony and then brunch can feel a bit more casual and allow for great speeches during a brunch setting.”
In addition to being a fan favorite, brunch food tends to cost much less than a traditional evening menu. Plus, “people often drink less at a daytime wedding, so your bar will be lower,” adds Janice Carnevale of Bellwether Events. Beyond catering, you might get discounted rates from other vendors for booking at a time with lower demand, resulting in significant cost savings compared to a nighttime celebration. You won’t have to worry about paying for additional lighting design, either!
And don’t worry! Just because the wedding winds down early doesn’t mean you can’t continue celebrating your marriage. “Host a cozy afterparty with your closest friends once the family goes home after your celebration,” Breukelman recommends.
Or, you can simply retreat home to soak in the evening as newlyweds! If you plan to jet off for your honeymoon the next day, you’ll appreciate having some downtime to recharge and prepare for your travels.
Cons of Daytime Weddings
Tying the knot during the day means pushing up the timeline for you and your wedding party. As a result, Juls Sharpley of Juls Sharpley Events notes that “getting ready start times for the ladies may be way earlier than you'd like.” If you have late risers in the group, getting up before the sun for hair and makeup may prove challenging.
And while more daylight might support photography, beware that midday sun can cause rising temperatures. You’ll need to take extra precautions to ensure your guests are hydrated and comfortable, like adding refreshment stations, handing out personal fans, or renting air conditioning units for a tent.
Sarah Chianese of Mangia and Enjoy! adds that “high heat temperatures can also limit what types of food you wish to be on your menu.” For example, “a raw seafood or sushi bar, no matter how well-iced the table set up is, can result in unsafe conditions.”
In addition to food, “flowers can wilt very quickly if they are exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight,” explains Joan Wyndrum of Blooms by the Box. So, if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, “consider the sensitivity of specific blooms and the heat,” she says.
Since daytime weddings offer a different vibe than their evening counterparts, you may also find a casual atmosphere doesn’t lend itself to partying. Guests consume less alcohol during the day, so they may feel more inclined to mingle than hit the dance floor. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you’ll need to consider how your perfect wedding day looks and feels: chill and laidback or wild and energetic.
Pros of Nighttime Weddings
Nighttime weddings allow you to get a later start, which is welcome for many couples who want to enjoy a more leisurely morning. Relaxing breakfasts, spa treatments, and tee times can all fit into the first part of the day, helping ease nerves and build excitement.
But perhaps the biggest advantage is the party atmosphere that sets in as the sun goes down! “Starting later allows you to party later, and that's the primary focus of a lot of weddings,” confirms Cathy O’Connell of COJ Events. Guests will frequent the bar more, leading to a busier dance floor — which is the ultimate goal for many couples.
Time of day also influences guest attire, so consider whether you’re picturing your loved ones in sundresses or evening gowns. “Evening weddings tend to have a more formal atmosphere, with guests dressed in their best and ready to party,” Wyndrum states.
Nighttime weddings are often more accessible for guests outside work schedules and other commitments. It’s also ideal for child-free events, as babysitters often have more availability in the evening. “It’s a perfect excuse to encourage guests to leave their little ones safely at home or the hotel or vacation rental with a babysitter,” Chianese confirms.
Last but not least, few things are more magical and romantic than celebrating love under a sky full of twinkling stars! And if you want to surprise your guests with fireworks, glow sticks, floating lanterns, sparklers, or other fun lighting elements, you’ll need a dark sky to appreciate the full effect.
Cons of Nighttime Weddings
Despite a rise in the popularity of daytime weddings, evening nuptials are still the standard. Thus, increased demand typically results in higher venue and vendor costs, impacting your budget allocation. Limited availability could also require booking earlier than expected, with one or two years of lead time in larger markets.
For nighttime affairs, Carnevale notes that “the party usually lasts longer, which drives up labor costs, and people eat and drink a lot more in the evenings.” In many cases, you’ll also need to rent additional lighting equipment, so don’t expect your budget to go as far as it would with a daytime event.
Depending on your venue location, you must also adhere to quiet hours by winding down before you’re ready. “Some venues may have noise restrictions in the evening, limiting the volume of music,” Campbell explains. Complaints from neighbors can also get in the way of a lively evening.
Goel adds that nighttime weddings can run into “facility closing times or other elements that constrain timing, especially if there is significant cleanup that needs to happen by a specific deadline.” Before signing a contract, ensure the late-night terms align with your ideal wedding day timeline. In some cases, you may be able to extend your night for an hourly cost, but there’s no getting around noise ordinances and municipal regulations.
And since evening events are typically rowdier, you (and your planner) must be more mindful of alcohol consumption. “It may seem like a pro, but it could also lead to problems managing behavior and arguments,” Wyndrum says. If you’re concerned about overconsumption, hire professional bartenders and consider setting a drink limit. Investing in a shuttle service is also wise to ensure your guests return home safely.
Is a daytime wedding or a nighttime wedding right for you? Both are wonderful options for celebrating your next chapter, so it comes down to the look and feel you envision. From food menus to music selections, the time of day will shape your wedding experience (and budget). Discuss your dream wedding with your partner, consult with preferred venues, and choose wisely!
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.