As a Raleigh-based, destination wedding photographer, one of the most common questions I get from couples is: “What time should our ceremony start?”

It may seem like a small detail, but your ceremony time plays a huge role in how your wedding day flows, how your photos look, and even how relaxed you’ll feel throughout the day.

Here are 3 important questions to consider when choosing your ceremony time—plus my month-by-month guide for the best ceremony start times in North Carolina.

1. What time is sunset?

Lighting is everything when it comes to your wedding photos. The golden hour—the hour before sunset—gives us the softest, most flattering light of the entire day. If you’re dreaming of glowing portraits, you’ll want to plan your ceremony so we finish family and couple photos right before or during golden hour.

Pro tip: Later light = better light. If you want the majority of your portraits taken before the ceremony, plan for a slightly later ceremony start so we aren’t shooting in harsh midday sun.

2. How long will photos after the ceremony take?

Think through how much time you’ll need for family photos, wedding party portraits, and couple photos after the ceremony. On average, you can expect to spend 30-45 minutes on wedding party photos, 15-20 minutes on family photos, and 30-60 minutes on couple photos. If you want to avoid taking all portraits after the ceremony, consider putting bridesmaid photos and groomsmen photos pre-ceremony. A first look could also allow for more portraits to be taken earlier in the day. However, keep in mind the previous point about mid-day lighting.

3. How late do you want dinner served?

Your timeline doesn’t just impact photos—it also affects your guests’ experience. Most couples aim to start dinner within an hour of the ceremony ending. If you push your ceremony later, just remember to build in that transition so guests aren’t waiting too long.

Additional Considerations

Beyond those three main questions, here are a few other things I encourage couples to think about:

• Cocktail Hour – Do you want to attend cocktail hour? Traditionally, this time was set aside for photos, but more and more couples recently have wanted to participate in cocktail hour and mingle with guests. If this is you, think about how much time we’ll need for photos pre-ceremony and how the lighting will be during that point of the day! Later light = better light. If you want most or all photos taken before the ceremony, plan to have a later ceremony. 

• Privacy Before Guests Arrive – I usually recommend wrapping up portraits 45–60 minutes before the ceremony, since guests often arrive early. That way, you won’t risk being seen in your dress before walking down the aisle.

• Photography Coverage – Your ceremony start time should also line up with your photo package. For example, if you book me for 8 hours and want coverage until 10 PM, but set your ceremony for 3 PM, that only leaves us 15 minutes of pre-ceremony photo time.

Best Ceremony Times by Month (North Carolina)

Since sunset shifts so much throughout the year, here’s a guide for ceremony start times in NC. These are based on the amount of time left post-ceremony before sunset, as well as appropriate times to have dinner served.

• January: 3:00–3:30 PM

• February: 3:30–4:00 PM

• March: 4:00-4:30 PM (Daylight Saving starts mid-month!)

• April: 4:30–5:30 PM

• May: 5:30–6:00 PM

• June: 5:00–6:00 PM (longest days of the year!)

• July: 5:00–6:00 PM

• August: 5:00–6:00 PM

• September: 4:00–5:30 PM

• October: 4:00–5:00 PM

• November: 3:00–3:30 PM (earlier sunsets after Daylight Saving ends)

• December: 3:00–3:30 PM

Keep in mind, this guide is specific to North Carolina. If you’re planning a destination wedding in another state or time zone, ceremony times will look a little different!

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your ceremony time should reflect what matters most to you—whether that’s golden hour portraits, attending cocktail hour, or a smooth flow into dinner and dancing.

As your photographer, I’ll help you fine-tune the details so you get the most out of your coverage, the best lighting for your photos, and a relaxed, joyful experience.

If you’re still unsure, don’t worry—that’s what I’m here for! I love helping couples craft timelines that let them fully enjoy their day while ensuring their photos are unforgettable.

Ready to start planning your dream wedding photos? Click HERE to inquire!