While most weddings are held in the early afternoon or evening, who's to say you can’t have a morning ceremony!?
Check out these pros and cons of hosting an earlier wedding and tips for planning the event.
Benefits
Get more time with your guests. An early start means you have plenty of time to mingle and thank every one of your guests at the reception. Rather than a quick generic thank you for coming, you can give a personalized hello or goodbye before the event is over.
The lighting is stunning. Imagine the stunning photos your photographer will be able to capture!
All the perks included with an earlier bedtime, and you’ll likely avoid a major hangover! Now, if you’re jetting off to your honeymoon in the morning you might be just as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
One of the largest expenses at a wedding is the alcohol. By having a daytime ceremony and reception, you can save a few bucks in your budget.
You don’t have to rush out of the reception. Oftentimes, couples are stuck rushing to clean up in regulation with the venue rules by a certain time in the evening or early morning (midnight to 2 a.m.). With a daytime wedding and reception, you can wrap things up in the early evening and leave plenty of time to spare for the cleanup crew.
After the wedding and reception, you can enjoy the nice room you splurged on at the hotel or a relaxing dip in the hot tub at the Airbnb you booked for the night. You aren’t entirely worn out after the events of the day, and you can get the chance to talk about the wedding and celebrate the occasion alone.
Disadvantages
The biggest downside to a morning wedding is how early you have to get up. If you’re going to get your hair and makeup done, you might be up as early as 5:30 a.m. or better! Not so bad if you’re a morning person, but to those night owls who like to dance and party until the break of dawn, you might want to reconsider. However, if you can get over the fact that you’ll be getting up super early, then here are a few things to remember and consider for your morning wedding.
What to Serve | Food & Drink
The aroma of bacon, eggs, and maple syrup fill the venue as you make your grand entrance for the reception party. As daytime receptions aren’t that common, the sky's the limit when it comes to selecting your food choices. Brunch items can include frittatas and quiche or burrito bars where you offer both breakfast and lunch options. Include stations where guests can create their own omelettes, yogurt parfaits, grilled cheese, and more.
Alcoholic brunch beverages are a fabulous addition to consider. Going light on the liquor saves on costs, but you don’t want to leave guests completely without. Make a station for guests to create their own cocktails by offering vodka, champagne, and a variety of juices to sample from. Of course there are lots of nonalcoholic beverages to add as well, including coffees, fresh juices, iced or hot teas, and milk… or get creative with a fruit smoothie station!
Keep desserts in mind while planning your food, too. One benefit to having an early afternoon reception: you can keep a mix of traditional desserts like cupcakes and cookies while adding cinnamon rolls, muffins, and scones.
What to Wear
What you decide to wear depends on the tone of formality you intend for the event. Most couples who host daytime weddings opt for a slightly less formal ceremony, which might mean a suit or morning coat instead of a formal tux, and a more relaxed wedding gown with fewer embellishments. It is still a fancy, special occasion though, so brides tend to stick with traditional gowns.
The Party is Still On
A common misconception with morning weddings is that you don’t get to dance and party with your guests. That is all up to you! If the couples dance and drink, chances are the guests will, too. A party is not required, though; maybe you prefer a short hour after the wedding to drink and mingle before heading off for an early honeymoon.
Published on Black Hills Bride.