Ceremony and photo timing?

I would say two hours sounds fine, to be honest. You can tell your guests a slightly earlier time than they need to be there so that you know they're going to be there on time. A civil ceremony itself tends to be quite short - I'd say 15 mins max - leaving you plenty of time for photos.

If the 2 hours is from the start of the ceremony that should be fine - the ceremony itself will be short. But worth checking whether the 2 hours includes time before the ceremony - don't forget you'll need to do interviews before the ceremony which are usually 45mins before for the groom and 30 mins for the bride.

If you really want to make the most of the venue for photos, though, I would be tempted to ask about another hour.

We had a civil ceremony and it was almost 45 minutes!!

I'd say not enough time personally... say the ceremony starts at 1pm, but you'll need it from 12:30pm to allow for the guests to arrive and for you and H to arrive and have your interviews. Ceremony ends at say 1:30pm, then you've only got an hour left to herd people out (which always takes far longer than you think once Grandma's strolled to the loo and Aunty Mary finds her kids playing football behind the wall etc) and get all your photos. I'd say it's enough time if, like us, you didn't want many photos there, but since you do... I'd pay for the extra hour and have canapes there. Personally I couldn't be doing with the stress of feeling like you needed to be out by a certain time.

In our experience the interviews usually take place with the groom around 15 minutes before, and with the bride about 5-10 minutes before - have never known them done as early as you mention, but maybe it's different in your part of the country ?

I think you'd be best off seeing if you can get another hour, 2 hours does seem a bit tight, particularly if you're having a drinks reception as well as your photos and you want to make good use of the grounds of your venue. The last thing you want is to be worrying about not having enough time to get everything done.

Ali x

Thanks everyone for the advice. It sort of confirms my suspicions- two hours doesn't seem like enough for me at all. (They include a room for last minute bridal preparations- which seems silly for a 2 hour slot, I'd be panicking and trying to get the whole thing hurried up!) I'll definitely ask them whether it's possible to extend the time, and what conditions might be placed on that.

Related question- if it's not possible for the time to be extended, would you consider this a dealbreaker? I don't want to have to start looking again, and this is the only venue I've seen (across several counties) that I've thought "yes, I definitely and absolutely want to get married here" rather than "it's ok I guess" or similar. But the idea of a firm two hour time slot does seem a bit harsh.

Have you asked photographer how long theyd want? Ours wanted around 2 hours for two togs to take shots...and am glad we had that !!!

Hiya

I'd ask the question about extending the time, you never know they may let you do this for an extra fee - I'm sure you won't be the first couple who've asked for it.

Failing that could you do some of the formal shots at your reception venue if you had to? Definitely ask your photographer how long they need, it takes us around an hour for the formal shots usually - half an hour for the group shots, half and hour on our own with the bride & groom.

Ali x

It is doable, we shoot at a venue nearer us that is exactly the same. I am wondering if it is the same one I am thinking of. it is Highcliffe Castle. Anyway, they shoo you off property because they often do three weddings there a day. the 3:30 wedding gets the option of having the reception there, so no time constraints after the ceremony. We have shot it bothways, and with careful planning it works fine. Where problems arise is if the ceremony starts late, they are pretty strict on having you gone within two hours. if there isn't a ceremony after, they are a bit less strict. you are wise to not have the wedding at 3:30 at that time of the year, it gets dark fast! Good luck, and don't panic. mind you, this leaves little time to be very social after the ceremony.