Recently, I have had a new experience as a photographer that may have shifted my thinking about “best” times of day for portraits, events, and to be specific weddings. What I have seen is a movement from traditional times and days to “off season” times for many reasons. In the last 6 months, I have had 2 morning weddings, 2 Tuesday weddings, a Sunday afternoon wedding (my own daughter’s), and a church wedding – which may not seem that odd, but trust me, for the last 10 years or so, there have been fewer and fewer church weddings, but they are making a comeback! Today, let’s talk about the pros of a morning wedding (we’ll mention some cons too, because I believe in being fully informed!).

PRO #1: Your day is finished early in the day, so you have time for downtime/travel/visiting with guests.

Anyone that has planned an event, especially an evening event, knows that the crash after it is over is for real. Photographers call it Wedding Hangover. You’ve probably gotten up early anyway, and the usual momentum of the day crescendos until the exit. The adrenaline pumps all day. Wedding day has normal nerves and stress that take energy. Dancing and greeting guests also take energy and adrenaline. When all of that ends and it is naturally when your body wants to sleep, guess what! Your body is going to sleep! And if it’s late, tomorrow morning is going to feel like, well, a hangover. If you are done with festivities at 2, you can have a private dinner with close friends or just your parents after a nap and refresh; you can leave earlier for your honeymoon; you can go HOME and rest and have the evening to unwind together before you start travel the next day. For my introverts out there, this can be a really appealing option.

PRO #2: It can keep the food expense at bay.

Let’s be real. The catering bill is usually one of the highest of the day. When you get married in the morning, you can offer brunch or luncheon foods, and those typically are not as expensive as a dinner menu. Many people love breakfast foods anyway, and those weddings where you get to have a biscuit bar or grits cocktail stand out because it’s so unique. Luncheon foods like elevated sandwiches or quiche or salads are usually crowd pleasers too and will feed the multitudes. Hot tip: hors d’oeurves can be more expensive than stations, plating, or buffets for breakfast and lunch because they are smaller portions (you need more) and you need more variety.

PRO #3: Morning Light is DREAMY.

We all hear about golden hour, but there is a morning golden hour also. It can be the last hour before sunset and the first hour after sunrise. Whether you do a first look or not, portraits of the bride, groom, wedding party, and immediate family are typically done before the ceremony, and that morning light is just as beautiful to photograph in as the evening light. In the right circumstances, I even think it is a little softer, not as harsh and orange/yellow. Katie’s wedding below was in Savannah, and we really got a beautiful effect with the sun starting to peak through trees and buildings downtown. The glow of that light was perfection for bridal portraits! Now, I will say this is a little easier in the spring than winter. Silly daylight savings time. You have a little more time of morning light and you have to pay attention to sunrise times instead of sunset times.

PRO #4: You don’t have to wait around all day for the big event.

If you are a morning person or a go-getter, this may appeal to you. It’s also great because you don’t have to be separated and sequestered all day. This goes for your family and guests too. If you are a little impatient or just don’t buy into the build up, this is a great answer. Let’s get the show on the road! There is a lot of waiting built into a wedding timeline because you have to do bride stuff, do groom stuff, etc. Having a morning wedding compresses that time to the optimal efficiency. Prioritization and planning is very important, but I love walking with my brides through that before we get there. There’s also an element of being able to take a little more time for Bride & Groom portraits if you’d like to because you have an afternoon ahead of you. That can be done right after the ceremony AND it can be done later in the afternoon after a refresh. If you love that evening golden hour, it’s not out of the question.

PRO #5: Fresher Everything.

Everything is better when fresher. Your flowers are happier (poor hydrangeas that have to last all day), the food taste better (cold green beans anyone?), your guests are more alert and energetic. If you have night owl guests, just make sure to have a coffee station! Everyone looks and feels their best earlier in the day (generally) rather than later, and if you have a wedding or reception where kids are welcome, they definitely behave better. The cooler temps of the mornings are a benefit for all of these factors too.

Now, these are a few reasons to consider a morning wedding but are there cons? Maybe. It all depends on your style.

Con #1: If you want a formal event feel, this may not be the right fit. People don’t wear black tie in the morning.

Con #2: The day will move fast! If you are very chill and don’t like to move fast, it may feel too rushed.

Con #3: The day has to start early and run on schedule! To get images in before a 10am wedding, you do have to start at sunrise. I have modified some days to take detail shots the day before so the day of is just activity documentation. If you have a heavy hair and makeup schedule, this may be hard.

No matter what you choose, do what YOU love. People that have morning weddings think it is the best, and people that a late night partiers, think IT’S the best. What matters most is that you enjoy your day, you are surrounded by love and support, and that it’s beautifully documented. 😉