Daytime vs. Evening Weddings: What’s the best option?

In addition to picking the wedding date, couples also need to settle on a major decision: will their celebration happen during the day or in the evening? Both options offer pros and cons, so it comes down to several factors when making plans and it’s important for all wedding professionals to be able to walk their couples through their options. Read on for the perks of each.

Photo: bisli_vazquez

Evening weddings

One of the biggest advantages of an evening wedding is the ability to transform a space with lighting, which doesn’t have quite as much impact during a daytime celebration. For example, candles in broad daylight don’t produce the magical effect that they do after the sun sets. On the same note, it is easier to “hide” flaws in the evening when the tired carpet won’t be as noticeable in candlelight.

Photo: Kristin Banta Events

Daytime weddings

If cost is a concern, a daytime wedding can help stretch a couple’s budget a bit further. It can be slightly less expensive to host a wedding or event during the day rather than late night, which can often come with a spike in “after-hours” pricing. In addition, from a planner’s perspective, there is always the benefit of having the evening free for other events like post-wedding parties and will ensure that the couple and their guests will be well-rested for any day-after brunch activities.

What to consider

Of course, budget and aesthetics are major factors when deciding on the time of a wedding, but there are other things to keep in mind as well. If your couple mentions sunset photos as a must, that could mean a later ceremony in the spring and summer or an earlier ceremony during the fall and winter. There is also the consideration of weather. In our area (New Orleans), we tend to see daily rainstorms in the early afternoon throughout spring and summer, so I wouldn’t suggest starting a wedding during that time. Conversely, our winters tend to see a cold and dark nighttime, so a daytime wedding may be warmer and more fitting for a celebration.

There are many factors that help people choose between a daytime and evening wedding and, ultimately, the decision is up to the client. Whether it’s a daytime garden wedding or an evening luxury wedding, the possibilities are endless—just be sure your couples are well aware of all of the considerations involved.

Kim Sayatovic is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Belladeux Event Design, a full service wedding and event design firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana.