How to Create the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline for Our Sunset Venue
Planning your wedding day timeline can feel overwhelming, but with our experience hosting weddings at our beautiful sunset bar, we have discovered the key to a smooth and unforgettable celebration: timing everything around the sunset. Here is our guide to help you craft the ideal schedule. Please note that this advice is tailored for couples hosting their ceremony and reception at our venue. If your ceremony is held elsewhere and you are joining us afterward, we have included suggestions for adapting your timeline below.
1. Ceremony Timing (If Held at Our Venue)
For the best lighting and atmosphere, we recommend scheduling your ceremony around 1.5 to max 2 hours before sunset. This is the golden window where the light is soft and perfect for breathtaking photos.
2. Arriving After an Off-Site Ceremony
If your ceremony takes place at another location, we recommend arriving at our venue at least 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset to enjoy the best light for photos, cocktails and those magical sunset moments.
3. Cocktail Hour & Sunset Drinks
Whether your ceremony is at our venue or off-site, sunset drinks and cocktail hour are perfect for welcoming your guests. This is the ideal time for everyone to relax, soak in the stunning views, and mingle.
4. Photo Opportunities Before Sunset
During this period, you can capture:
- Family photos: Ensure all the key group shots are completed.
- Couple’s photoshoot: Plan this during the actual sunset for dreamy, romantic photos.
- Cake cutting & first dance: These moments fit beautifully into this timeframe, creating a seamless flow of events.
- Speeches: You can include all speeches or at least 2-3 of them during this time, keeping the energy light and celebratory.
5. Dinner Service
Once the sun sets, it’s time to serve dinner. Depending on your menu and guest count, dinner typically lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. If there are any remaining speeches, they can be scheduled right after the main course to avoid kitchen delays.
6. Party Time
After dinner, it’s time to dance the night away! If you ‘ve already done your first dance before sunset, the party can begin immediately after the meal. If not, you can kick off the evening festivities with your first dance. Our music license allows the party to continue until 1:00 AM, so your guests can enjoy the night to the fullest.
Seasonal Adjustments
- For weddings from May to mid-July, when the sunset is later, you’ll have plenty of time to fit in the ceremony, photos, and special moments before dinner.
- For September weddings, when the sunset occurs earlier, the first dance and cake cutting can be moved to after dinner, aligning perfectly with the timeline.
By planning your timeline around the sunset, you ‘ll make the most of the stunning views, create a seamless flow for your guests and capture memories in the best light possible. Whether you are celebrating the entire day with us or joining after your ceremony, this guide ensures everything will run smoothly. If you have any questions or need help customizing your schedule, we are here to help!
