Afternoon or Evening?

We can't decide whether to get married on Sunday afternoon or in the evening. Price is about the same for both.

I am concerned about keeping guests out until midnight when they have to work the next day but really like the idea of an evening reception.

On the otherhand, an afternoon wedding means I have to be up at 5:00a.m. and the whole day will be finished so quickly.

To complicate matters, one of our choices, the Westbury Manor, only allows afternoon wedding ceremonies.

Does anybody have an opinion on this?

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

From what I hear it flies by no matter what time you do it.

I would go for a Sunday afternoon. Your guests will appreciate that. Sunday nights are rough.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

If you are having it on a Sunday, then I would say have it in the afternoon.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

Vote for afternoon.

I have an evening Sunday wedding this wkd and I love the couple to death but its gonna kill us getting back to VA.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I had a sunday afternoon...and I pushed it as late as possible...(6 pm ended) if I wanted to pay a little more with a higher min...I could have had it at any time on sunday 'twighlight'

i thought about guests (I had to leave a sunday n ght wedding at 10:30...b/c I had to get up at 5:15 for work) but then we had an after party at DH's aunts house...to extend it...so it did last the entire day!!

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I personally don't mind a Sunday night wedding, but I always take off from work the next day

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

What about an after party for you and your close friends if you do an afternoon wedding?

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

Afternoon with an after party of course

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I'm having a Sunday afternoon wedding. I was deciding between day or evening, but chose for the daytime for the same reason you posted.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I am having a Sunday evening wedding.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I'd go with the afternoon. We had a Saturday afternoon wedding and it was kind of nice to have some time left in the day to spend with each other and our bridal party.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

i would do sunday afternoon and like someone suggested- you could do an after party so this way you can still celebrate while out of towners can go back home. you could just go to a bar or reserve a space in the bar or something like that. esp since it's a sunday night- i'm sure they'd be excited to do that.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I appreciate all the advice..... but my other concern is that we are getting married in August and I'm afraid that it may be to hot and humid to have our guests out in the sun for the ceremony and coctail hour which runs from 11:30am - 1:00pm
(hair and makeup + sun x pictures = ????)

The evening affair would run from 5:30 - 11:30, most of the guests live within 20-30min. from the facility, but I'm afraid this may be a bit late to keep my guests on a Sunday.

Your thoughts???

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I put my vote in for Sunday night.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I had a Sunday afternoon wedding, which demonstrates my preference. Why do your guests have to be outside for the ceremony and cocktail hour? Is there no inside space?

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

See I would be scared of people leaving early. I mean we are going to the wedding but I strongly doubt we will be there until 11:30 in the night.

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I know I do not like Sunday nights for the late night reasons. I am NOT a morning person so anything that keeps me awake longer make Monday mornings 10x worse for me personally. JMO. I am having a day wedding, so I know what you are saying about the 5am thing. Not looking forward to it! But knowing me I will be so wired that I will not sleep the night before!!

With all that --- You have to do what is best for you!

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

There is inside space, but that would defeat the purpose of having at Westbury Manor since it's the outside that we fell in love with...

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

I definitely think that evenings are the best because then they feel like they are more of a party. JMO

Re: Afternoon or Evening?

Can you have the wedding start a little earlier if you decide to do a Sun evening. Would you be allowed to start the reception at 5pm? and have the ceremony at around 3:30/4:00?