Daytime Weddings vs Evening Weddings

Which is better, a daytime wedding or an evening one? That depends on what you, and your guests are expecting from the wedding. Evening weddings are both more fun and more festive, while daytime weddings are more relaxed. Here are some factors to consider when deciding on the best time for your wedding.

Benefits and Disadvantages of an Evening Wedding

If you are considering an evening wedding, there are many factors to recommend it. An evening wedding will likely have the highest attendance. People are more likely to come out for an evening wedding because it doesn’t interfere with their day, and it’s likely to be a bigger party. There is more food, more drinks, and more dancing. At least, that’s what people expect, and, in general, that’s what you should try to provide.

Guests expect a more formal affair, so they’ll dress up more. If you’re looking for pictures that will include everyone dressed up nicely, an evening wedding is your best bet. And in Colorado the evenings are great for the climate—it’ll be cooling off from the afternoon heat. And the summer thunderstorms that often roll through Denver in the afternoon will typically pass before it’s time for your celebration.

For you, an evening wedding gives you more time to prepare and relax before the wedding. You can then retire to your honeymoon suite for a private night indoors. It might be harder to catch a flight after an evening wedding, but putting off leaving for honeymoon travel until the next day or later works well.

The disadvantages of an evening wedding primarily come from the expense. Wedding venues tend to be in higher demand for evening weddings, as do many of the services that come along with them, such as caterers. Since you’ll be expected to provide more food and drink, expect to pay a premium for both of those. And with more guests coming, that will increase your expenses, too. And because Denver wedding venues are in such high demand, you might not be able to get the one you want for an evening wedding unless you’re planning far in advance.

Benefits and Disadvantages of an Afternoon Wedding

Afternoon weddings are great if you’re looking for a less formal (and expensive) celebration. People will come more casual, and they won’t come expecting a big party. You will have the chance to celebrate with the whole body of wedding guests, then they’ll leave and you can celebrate with just a few friends for the rest of the day, even if this means just the two of you.

Afternoon weddings require you to get ready earlier, but you’ll be done earlier. You can party with friends or just take it easy. And speaking of easy, it’s easier to catch a flight for honeymoon travel on the day of the wedding if your wedding is in the afternoon.

You can save money on an afternoon wedding in lots of ways. You can opt against offering a meal by having the service run from just after lunchtime and the reception ending before dinnertime. Then you just provide hors d’oeuvres and light cocktails. Wedding venues tend to be cheaper for afternoon weddings, too.

Be careful, though. Although base prices are often lower for the afternoon, if you start adding options you might find that the price is the same or more than an evening ceremony.

If you are trying to decide which is the right time for your wedding, we can help. At Stonebrook Manor, we have seen many, many beautiful weddings at both the afternoon and the evening. Please contact us today and we can help you find out when will be best for yours.