How to Choose the Right Ceremony Time for Your Wedding Day
FLORAL DESIGNER + PHOTOGRAPHER - Clemmie & Twine
Expert Tips from Weddings with Parris – Your UK Wedding Coordinator
If you're in the early stages of wedding planning and about to confirm your wedding ceremony time, pause for a moment! Whether you're planning a traditional church wedding or a celebration at an all-in-one wedding venue, choosing the right time for your ceremony can make or break the flow of your big day.
At Weddings with Parris, I help couples across the UK create beautifully planned wedding days that feel effortless, joyful, and well-paced. One of the most common things couples overlook? Timing.
Here’s my expert advice to help you choose the perfect ceremony time—without the stress.
1. Consider Travel Time Between Ceremony and Reception Venues
If your ceremony and reception are in separate locations, think realistically about the travel time. It’s not just a case of popping the postcode into Google Maps.
How long will it actually take, especially for guests unfamiliar with the area?
Will there be weekend traffic, country lanes, or city centre parking to deal with?
And don’t forget—a coach or minibus takes longer than a car, so if you're arranging group transport, factor that into your wedding day timeline.
2. Think About Guest Parking and Accessibility
Is parking at the church or ceremony venue close by? Will guests need to walk a bit? If so, this affects your schedule, especially for elderly guests or those with mobility issues.
Similarly, check the situation at your wedding reception venue. If parking is tricky or there’s a shuttle system, account for that when setting your times.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Size of Your Guest List
The more guests you have, the longer everything takes. From leaving the church to gathering for photos or boarding a coach—it’s all part of the plan.
For example:
A confetti photo takes time to set up
Herding 100 guests into their transport isn’t a quick job
Greeting guests post-ceremony can easily run over
A larger guest list = longer transitions. It’s simple, but crucial.
4. Will You Be Taking Photos at the Ceremony Venue?
Are you planning to do family portraits or couple shots outside the church? What about a confetti tunnel or group photo?
These are beautiful moments—but also time-consuming. If you're planning to save photos for your drinks reception, that’s fine too! Just make sure your photographer and planner are aware of your preferences, and that it’s reflected in your wedding schedule.
5. Who’s Managing the Wedding Day Timings?
This is where having a professional wedding coordinator makes all the difference.
If you don’t have someone overseeing the flow of the day, make sure to appoint a few key people (e.g. your maid of honour or best man) to help guide guests and keep things on time.
It’s very easy for even the most organised bridal party to get caught up in the excitement of the day—and that’s totally understandable! But someone needs to be watching the clock.
At Weddings with Parris, I manage all of this for you—so you, your bridal party, and your guests can simply enjoy the moment.
Final Thoughts: Ceremony Timing Can Make or Break Your Day
Choosing the right wedding ceremony time isn’t just about what “sounds right”—it’s about creating a seamless, enjoyable day from start to finish. A well-timed ceremony sets the tone for everything that follows: the photos, the transport, the speeches, the food, and the fun.
✨ Want your day to run like clockwork? I can help. ✨
Weddings with Parris – Wedding Planning & Coordination Across the UK
Whether you’re hosting a traditional church wedding or a modern celebration at a luxury venue, Weddings with Parrisoffers expert wedding coordination and planning services tailored to your needs. From timeline creation to on-the-day management, I help turn your vision into a beautifully executed reality.
📩 Ready to take the stress out of your wedding day planning?
Let’s talk – hello@weddingswithparris.co.uk
Parris xx