Winter Wedding timings - should it be an early ceremony to ensure reasonable light for photos?

We had a 1pm, early feb wedding, and tbh we could have pushed it back and not suffered on the light front. we had our couple shots during the drinks reception when guests were mingling with each other so we weren't missed. but it didn't start to get dark until....i'd say 4.30 maybe. it turned out to be a really light day, despite hammering it down at points.

if you're happy and comfortable with 2pm, don't be pushed into earlier if you don't want it

I would say yes go for 1.00

It really depends on your photographer and your personal preference. Some couples like to have quite a large number of family and bride and groom photographs and others want less. Basically it's a bit easier, or should I say presents more options, if you can photograph in daylight but it's perfectly possible these days to photograph well in almost any or no light what so ever.

I would probably go for a it earlier as it's nice to come out of the ceremony into a bit of daylight rather than the gloom!

We got married in Jan at 3pm and it was still perfectly light when we were having pics done at 3.45-4ish - you can see them in my report if you'd like. I think you'd be fine with the 2pm ceremony personally.

To be honest, it doesn't really matter. Your photographer should have a proper flash system and be able to cope with photos whatever the lighting conditions. I photographed a 3pm ceremony on 3rd Jan and it was sunset when we did the photos.

Send me an email via my website if you'd like to see them.

Any decent photographer should be able to cope with any lighting but it depends if you want natural day light group photos or perfectly lit ones inside the venue, I would never do group photos outside in the dark using flash, for couple shots yes inside and out but not the groups unless you have a good lit backdrop for the groups outside so that the whole frame is lit.

This is a link to a previous sunrise sunset tracker for Feb, if its late Feb you should be fine

http://www.sunrise-and-sunset.com/en/sun/united-kingdom/london/2014/february

Our ceremony was 1:30-2:00 and then dinner at 4, we wanted a lot of group shots and we had loads of couples shots too. I'd say so long as you do your group shots first then the light shouldn't be a problem. We deliberately went out for photos in the low light, take a look at the report in my signature, I love the way the sky looks and we were so, so pleased we'd managed to get them

Thanks for the replies; its good to get other perspectives.

A 2pm ceremony in February should be absolutely fine. You'll still have around 2.5-3 hours of sunlight after the ceremony ends- by which time you'll have sat for food anyway I imagine ?

We shot a 3pm ceremony at the end of November last year and that was cutting it super fine (only 30 mins of sunlight left post ceremony) but it worked really well in the end.

As others have said, as long as your photographer is skilled dealing with low light and has the right equipment you wont have a prpblem.

Personally, i'd stick with 2pm.