NEW ORDER

Thinking about mixing up the timeline of your day? Go for it! From sunrise ceremonials to surprise speeches, here are some ideas for a standout celebration

words Hannah May

You might have nailed the venue and date, but what about the other ‘when’? The timing of your day’s events might seem predetermined by some: ceremony, drinks reception, food, speeches and party. However, like all other aspects of modern weddings, couples are defying convention by mixing up their itinerary to personally suit.

Whether you wish to host a welcome supper the night before or say “I do” at sunset, the schedule can be planned to make the most of the time, place and people at your disposal for a distinctively unique wedding format.

Don’t fancy waiting for the speeches? Deliver them during the welcome drinks. Dying for your first dance? Grab your spouse post-ceremony for the ultimate party starter. We’ve compiled some of our favourite ideas…

Pre-wedding gatherings

Schedule an extra pre-wedding soirée with your guests, whether as a grand gathering or intimate greeting for close family or friends who have travelled from afar. The day or evening before allows anyone helping with the preparations a rewarding break and additional mingling time, while an evening shindig sets the celebratory mood ahead of the main event. Depending on your venue (and where your guests are staying), you might wish to arrange afternoon tea, drinks and nibbles, a takeaway or a sit-down supper. You could also plan a walk, surf, spa session, beach barbecue or activity in keeping with the location and theme of your wedding, blow off some steam and ease the pre-wedding nerves – so think about what you and your nearest might like to see/do/eat – and go for it!

Sunrise weddings

A cultural custom for some across the globe, sunrise weddings are the ultimate way to embrace your day from start to finish and extend the time you have together. In summer, it might seem daunting to wake and get ready in the middle of the night, but imagine uttering your vows as the sun rises from the ocean or appears on the hillside. Especially suited to elopement or intimate weddings, you might want to stage a small sun-up ceremony in the company of others or alone before joining guests to celebrate or invite everyone to experience the moment with you. The logistics will require a little more effort to ensure your ceremony space is well placed (and permitted) to take advantage of the emerging light and guests can safely find their way in the pre-dawn darkness, but the result could be incredible. And by scheduling some downtime in the day to allow guests to rest and refuel for the party ahead, you can ensure that they’ll have no problems going the full distance from dawn to dusk.

First looks

Though some may still believe that seeing each other before the ceremony is bad luck, other couples are choosing to appoint some private time before their vows for a sneaky ‘first look’. The exclusive chance to see your beau in all their wedified glory before the rest of the crowd is fast garnering mass appeal, and the sweet courtesy is now being extended to other family members such as parents, siblings and grandparents

to poignantly mark the occasion in a wholly personal way.

Speeches

There’s no modern etiquette when it comes to the speeches. Tradition dictates that there should be one by the groom, best man and father of the bride, but nowadays you can have as many or as few as you like – or none at all. Bridal speeches are all the rage, along with other people stepping up to say a few words including the maid of honour, mother of the bride/groom and even the grandparents or children. Scatter them throughout proceedings, perhaps with the father of the bride saying something postceremony, the groom’s orations being delivered ahead of the first dance and the best man sharing stories over the firepit. The bride might like to announce a toast during the wedding breakfast or incorporate a speech into the ceremony itself. Pick a place, time, person and wording with meaning – or randomly assign the speaking roles and ask for them to be delivered spontaneously for a fun surprise.

Wedding breakfasts

Depending on what time of day you tie the knot, you might want one or several catering sessions to keep your guests’ appetites at bay. Whether you wish to make a feature out of the food or simply provide a decent belly fill between the day’s events, you can present the wedding breakfast at any time. If you’re hosting an early/morning ceremony, an early lunch may be required. Alternatively, dine with your guests before an afternoon/evening ceremony or serve them an afternoon tea, picnic or barbecue before the nuptials and organise a late supper or buffet. Or you could always ditch the formal dining completely in favour of hampers, food vans and food stations dotted throughout the day.

Twilight weddings

Sunset weddings are one of the most romantic options for couples who might also be dreaming of a more intimate or whirlwind day. Save the main event for last after schmoozing all afternoon or – depending on the time of year and, therefore, sundown – dine with your guests before spoiling them with a twilight wedding as you bid farewell to the day in the most magical of ways. Picture a sand-between-the-toes ceremony as the sun slips beneath the sea or walking a lantern-lined aisle on a windswept winter’s night as the last light fades. Could there be anything more magically atmospheric?

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