You’ve set the wedding date but what about the wedding time? Does it really matter whether you say ‘I do’ in the morning, noon or night? As Amelia Fellows discovers, the answer is a resounding yes!

While it may not seem so important, the location, the formality and even the guest list, to name a few, all follow on from the time of day you choose for your big event. So will you have a wedding breakfast, lunch or dinner? To help you decide, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of weddings at different times of the day, and offer suggestions for venues and menus to consider when you start planning the wedding of your dreams.

A BREAKFAST BASH
You know you are a morning person when you jump out of bed with a smile on your face and don’t need a coffee (or three) to be fully awake by lunch! Early risers know that the world is most beautiful and peaceful in the morning hours.

Even so, breakfast weddings are often overlooked when it comes to wedding day timeslots, however it could be a time of day that works well for you.

A YES IF...

* You prefer the great outdoors to more traditional ceremony venues. Choosing a place that is naturally breathtaking and makes the best use of morning light will ensure your wedding photos are the envy of every bride. After the ceremony, you and your guests will continue to enjoy a celebration where none of the beauty is wasted under the cover of darkness.

* You want a venue that looks its best and is less populated in the morning. This includes the beach, private gardens and public parks. Alternatively, opt for a boat to host you and a small party of guests. If you want a more informal, relaxed feel for the occasion, choose a cosy café or an intimate restaurant overlooking the beach.

* You don’t want a three-course meal. You can save money on food and alcohol by treating your guests to a breakfast buffet. Brunch foods such as finger pastries, fresh fruit platters, mini muffins, bagels, croissants and quiches make for a scrumptious spread. Indulge in a champagne brunch or perhaps a seafood buffet if the ceremony is seaside. Include a juice bar for a tropical twist and make sure to have plenty of coffee on offer!

* You want more time to socialise with your guests, take photos and enjoy your special day. Having this extra time after the ceremony also gives you the option of travelling to your honeymoon destination on the same day as your wedding, meaning you can enjoy more of your day with your new husband.

RETHINK IF...

* You and your bridal party require maximum preparation time. An early wedding means early to bed and early to rise for everyone. If you are not a morning person, yawning through the ceremony isn’t a good look for photos (or the right impression to give your future husband!).

* You want to invite guests that live more than a few hours away. In this case you will need to organise accommodation close to the venue to ensure they arrive at the wedding on time. Who books and pays for this accommodation is something you and your fiancé will need to discuss before the event.

* You want to create a party atmosphere. Guests are less likely to drink alcohol in the morning and they may not be in a dancing mood. However, in the end it’s the bridal couple that sets the atmosphere and if you’re dancing and enjoying yourselves, your guests are bound to join in.

* You’d like your guests to wear formal attire. You will need to specify this on the invitation to avoid confusion and embarrassment for your guests and make sure you have the formal look you’re after.

A LOVELY LUNCH
Traditionally the most common time for wedding ceremonies, lunch weddings have long been favoured by brides all over the globe. Starting in the middle of the day, these weddings tend to stretch into all-day celebrations. For the couples who wish to say ‘I do’ when the sun is highest, here are a few things to consider.

A YES IF....

* You would like more time to get yourself pampered and prepared in the morning. Having the morning free also means suppliers and caterers will have plenty of time to set up while leaving a comfortable margin of time to sort out any last minute concerns.

* You want a more formal wedding experience. In this case, traditional venues for the ceremony, such as a church or winery, with a lunch reception to follow at a golf club or hotel would be perfect. Alternatively, if you prefer to celebrate outdoors and are after a more informal experience, then a picnic in a park after the ceremony will work just as well.

* You want to invite children to your wedding. This is the ideal time for children to attend without getting overtired and irritable. Having a family friendly wedding means guests with younger children will feel comfortable and won’t have to worry about a babysitter.

* You want plenty of time to greet your guests after the ceremony. It is now common to provide post-ceremony refreshments, which allow you to spend time with those guests who won’t be at the reception and provides a smooth transition between the ceremony and reception.

* You want less expensive catering options for the reception. Some couples provide cocktailstyle foods and others simply champagne and cake. If you are prepared to host a full buffet lunch then you can go all-out with a high tea theme. Include spicy meatballs, sushi, mini bruschetta and triangle sandwiches on your menu. For guests with a sweet tooth, offer mini cakes, delicate danishes and pastries.

* You want a specific date. An early afternoon timeslot is less likely to be booked than later times, which will allow you a greater selection of dates. Having your wedding lunch on a Sunday will also give you greater flexibility without deterring those guests who have to work the next day.

RETHINK IF...

* You want a night time reception. You will need to be mindful of the time your guests will have to fill in while you’re busy having photos taken. If your heart is set on using both times, save guests the trouble of trying to find something to do and put together an activities list. This can be helpful for out-of-town guests who would like to sightsee in between your wedding festivities.

* Your big day is during the summer. Unless your wedding will be inside an airconditioned venue, you’ll need to consider whether the midday heat could be unpleasant for your guests, especially children and the elderly.

* You are catering outdoors. Flies and heat are not a good combination for fresh food! Also keep in mind that if you are serving cocktail foods instead of a full lunch you will need to provide your guests with enough food to satisfy grumbling bellies and prevent alcohol from hitting empty stomachs.

A DINNER DO
The sun starts to fade, the sky is ablaze with colour and the stars begin to come out as evening falls. If you dream of a sunset backdrop as you make your vows or of exchanging rings under the stars, a dinner wedding could be just right for you...

A YES IF....

* You want maximum preparation time leading up to your ceremony. You can ease yourself into the day, sorting out any last minute preparations without the time constraints of an earlier wedding. Your guests can also use the first part of the day to run errands, leaving them ready to enjoy themselves during the evening.

* You want to build anticipation for the big event. Night time cultivates a celebratory, intimate atmosphere. Guests can relax and have a drink and parents can have the night without their children. Some couples have fireworks, lighting displays and fairy lights strung around their reception venue to create drama and add to the atmosphere.

* You want a traditional venue. The evening atmosphere suits a formal event. Places such as golf clubs, function centres and hotels have the added benefit of being able to host both the ceremony and the reception, saving valuable time driving between locations.

* You want a romantic fairytale. If it’s a warm night you could have the ceremony on the beach under the stars or you could choose to have your reception in a marquee set in a garden and strung with fairy lights.

* You want a traditional three-course, sitdown meal for your reception. A formal event requires a formal meal. While this is undoubtedly the classiest meal option, it is also the most expensive. Alternatively, you could have a buffet. This means your guests can choose from a wider variety of foods that are more likely to satisfy everyone. If you’re after a more formal atmosphere but would still like a buffet, have waiters serving at each food station instead of guests helping themselves.

RETHINK IF...

* You don’t want to have to rush postceremony. A dinner wedding often means less time between the ceremony and reception, which will limit the amount of time you can spend with your guests (especially those who can’t make it to the reception) immediately after the ceremony and before you have photos taken.  You may also find you have to rush through any outdoor photos to make the most of the fading light.

* You want children to be part of the celebrations. Some couples are close to younger relatives or the children of friends, and children can be a source of joy and spontaneity at weddings. However, unless they have an afternoon sleep, younger children can become irritable and uncooperative by nightfall.

* You don’t want the limited meal options commonly offered at reception venues. Some people may not be happy with only a couple of meal choices and, when you’re paying for each individual plate of food, you want your guests to enjoy it! With a set menu you will also have to consider food allergies or intolerances, as well as your vegetarian or vegan guests, so be sure to choose a venue that can accommodate these needs.

* You are going to be exhausted by the end of your wedding day. If you’ve spent the whole day preparing and couldn’t sleep for excitement the night before, you may find yourself fading during the reception. Make sure you take some time out during the day to relax and rest so you can think of more than just your pillow at the end of the night!

* You have chosen a venue that requires you to clean up after the event. This includes beaches, parks and so on. Of course, a family member or close friend may offer to do it for you, but this is a huge undertaking. They may not feel quite so happy about their offer when they are still cleaning up the community hall at 3am! Most brides put a lot of thought into choosing their wedding date, but deciding on which time of day to have your wedding is just as crucial. Whether you choose to wed in the morning, noon or night, make sure you pick the time of day where you will feel your best so that you get the most out of your special day.