4 Surprising Benefits of an Earlier Wedding Ceremony.

When it comes to creating your wedding timeline, who says you have to follow a predefined schedule?

We get it – if you’ve always pictured your wedding a certain way, it can be a scary thought to straw away from the traditional timeline. But your wedding day is an opportunity to showcase your individuality as a couple – and that includes the timing of your celebration!

From embracing the natural beauty of your venue to extending your time on the dance floor, there are several perks to hosting an earlier ceremony and flipping the traditional wedding timeline on its head.

Read on as we share 4 unexpected reasons why an earlier ceremony might just be one of the best decisions you make for your special day.

Image via Daniel Chafer Photography

Extend Your Celebrations

Whether you’re a guest or the happy couple, nobody wants a wedding celebration to end – when the final song is played and the lights turn on, it feels like the night is wrapping up way too soon! On the flipside, starting your ceremony early allows your festivities to continue for longer, giving you more time to mingle and create memories with your loved ones.

A midday ceremony usually means the dining and formalities are wrapped up by 4pm (as opposed to 8pm for a traditional wedding), giving you an extra 4 hours for chit chat, cocktails and carving up the dance floor!

Image via Figtree Pictures

Cater to All Ages

Your wedding day typically includes a mix of friends and family from all walks of life – from newborn bubs to your Nan and Pa. An earlier ceremony means these guests can enjoy your celebration without feeling the pressure of staying until the end of the night to see your first dance, speeches and cake cutting.

Elderly guests and parents with young kids will be able to partake in the festivities while still being able to return home at a reasonable hour (trust us, they’ll love you for it!).

Image via Cloud Catcher Studio

Curate Your Guest List

We’d say nearly every couple has experienced the dilemma of inviting guests out of obligation rather than genuine connection – usually due to family pressure. An earlier ceremony allows you to celebrate your nuptials with an extended guest list, before enjoying an intimate “after party” with your closest party people (so you can actually enjoy the dance floor, rather than spending the night making small talk!).

Image via Nikolas David WeddingsImage via Figtree Picture

Make the Most Out of Your Venue

You’ve booked your dream wedding venue – so why not make the most of it?! Whether you’re overlooking the water at Ancora, enjoying sweeping valley views at Summergrove Estate or soaking up an epic sunset at Fins Plantation House, an earlier ceremony allows you to bask in your beautiful surroundings for as long as possible.

Some of our Tweed Coast wedding venues are specifically tailored towards a daytime wedding, making it a no-brainer for your special day. For example: at Farm + Co. Weddings, you can enjoy a leisurely paddock-to-plate long lunch overlooking the sunflower fields and capture dreamy golden hour portraits, before kicking on with your crew to one of our nearby after party locations. 

Images via Pineapple Images

The final verdict? Breaking away from the traditional wedding timeline and embracing an earlier ceremony can mean more quality time with your loved ones, more time to appreciate the beauty of your venue, and most importantly – more time to party!

Want more wedding inspiration? Check out our latest Real Weddings from across the Tweed Coast here.