Planning a wedding can be a stressful task. There are a million different things you need to think about, from choosing the perfect wedding venue to getting the decorations right. It can be enough to put many people off hosting one altogether! But what if we told you there’s a nifty way to take a huge part of the stress out of planning a wedding?
Twilight weddings are a relatively new phenomena that have gained attention over the last couple of years. They essentially skip the formal sit-down wedding breakfast and instead start much later in the day, either in the late afternoon or early evening. They’re a great option for couples who don’t like the idea of a formal event and would prefer to host a more relaxed wedding.
There are many more benefits to hosting a twilight wedding, from reduced costs to more time spent partying! For many, one of the main attractions is those all-important wedding photos, when couples can take advantage of that early-evening dusky glow. After all, is there really a more romantic scene than you and your other half pictured against a magical sunset backdrop? We think not.
There’s also the added bonus of having less to organise, and many might prefer to host a twilight wedding in order to avoid planning a full day of celebrations. It also means you don’t have to entertain guests all day!
Joanne McInnes, Director at wedding venue The BarnYard, has noticed a sharp uptake in couples booking evening ceremonies.
'We have noticed that twilight weddings are very, very popular. As a result, couple’s can book a twilight wedding any day of the week throughout the year at The BarnYard, which is different to a lot of venues which can only offer twilight weddings during non-peak periods - such as winter or mid-week. They're very popular this year - we are virtually fully booked!'
Because the concept of an evening wedding is a fairly new thing, not all wedding venues offer them. However, we’ve included a few options down below if you’re struggling to find a twilight wedding venue you like. Many also offer dedicated twilight wedding packages, from all-inclusive options to flexible add-ons. Find out whether it's right for you with our ultimate guide, then go ahead and start planning!
What is a twilight wedding?
A twilight wedding is a more informal style of wedding that starts later in the day and skips the wedding breakfast altogether. Instead, the day transitions straight from the ceremony into the evening reception, removing the need for a formal sit-down meal. Twilight weddings can start anywhere between 3-5pm, and essentially allow couples to host the wedding of their dreams in a more flexible, laid-back format.
Are twilight weddings cheaper?
One of the reasons many couples consider hosting a twilight wedding instead of a traditional one is the cost. By removing the need for a sit-down meal, you can save a huge chunk of money on having to cater a formal meal for all your guests. Of course, twilight weddings do still involve food and drink, but hosting an evening reception alone allows for much more flexibility when it comes to catering. Rather than a full three-course meal, for example, you could instead opt for buffet stations or bowl food, which are often much cheaper.
Twilight weddings also remove the need to hire a venue for the full day, which again is likely to reduce costs. This extends to other services too, such as a photographer, who you’ll only need to hire for a half day.
What are the benefits of a twilight wedding?
There are a ton of reasons why a twilight wedding is an attractive option for couples. Here are some of the main highlights.
Better on a budget
You can’t get away from the fact that twilight weddings are super attractive for being cheaper than a typical wedding. Yes, you’ll still need to organise many of the same elements, from food and drink to entertainment. But one less meal is an easy way to cut costs, and you can instead spend your money on the things you really want – perhaps that dream outfit you have your eye on?
Less stress
Removing the need for a wedding breakfast can be a huge weight off your shoulders when it comes to planning a wedding. You only need to organise food for the evening, while a shorter day of celebrations means you have more time in the morning to prepare.
More time partying
The beauty of an evening wedding is that you can start the celebrations pretty much straight away. The ceremony and photos are likely to only take an hour or so, and then you and your guests can get on with the bit evryone's really looking forward to: food, drink and dancing! Do away with all the formal stuff and head straight to the fun part at the end of the night.
Gorgeous wedding photos
Hosting your wedding during golden hour is a surefire way to guarantee spectacular photos, although we do recommend planning ahead if you have your sights set on a sunset backdrop. Make sure you know exactly when the sun will set, as you'll need to plan your ceremony and other timings around this. It would be a shame to put all that effort in only to miss it.
Where does a twilight wedding take place?
Twilight weddings are held at a wedding venue just like a traditional wedding, and can take place both indoors or outdoors. However, not all venues offer twilight weddings so you’ll need to check with them first to see if it’s possible to host your ceremony and reception in the evening.
Make sure to visit your wedding venue in advance to check it’s suitable for a twilight wedding. This might include lighting considerations to ensure the venue is illuminated properly at night. Will you be able to see a sunset clearly (if you want to) and what sort of decorations will you need to give the venue impact? Candles, lanterns and fairylights are all popular options.
How much does a twilight wedding cost?
Venues will usually offer dedicated twilight wedding packages for those who don't want to use the space for the whole day, which can vary in price depending on the venue and area. Heaton House Farm, for example, offers all-inclusive packages for up to 60 guests for just over £6,000. This includes a welcome drink per person, three-course meal, two glasses of wine each with the meal and a toast beverage per person.
While a twilight wedding package at The Barnyard could cost anywhere between £1,400 to £3,395 for up to 100 guests, varying throughout the week and year. This is for venue hire only, and catering would need to be organised at an extra cost.
Top twilight wedding venues in the UK
Not everyone offers evening ceremonies which can make finding a venue a little tricky. Check out our pick of top twilight wedding venues to help you with your search.
Downham Hall, Essex
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What: Always dreamed of a country house wedding? Make that dream a reality at centuries old Downham Hall, a truly spectacular wedding venue in the heart of Essex. Boasting 360-degree views of beautiful countryside, it’s perfect for capturing epic photographs as the sun sets behind the rural landscape. Tie the knot in its charming gardens, or if it rains, the Orangery or De Beauvoir Suite are both stunning options for more intimate celebrations.
Where: Castledon Road, Essex, CM11 1LGt
Book now: Downham Hall
The BarnYard, Kent
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What: Planning a wedding in Kent? The BarnYard is a magical option nestled within 150 acres of lush countryside making for a truly enchanting setting. Ceremonies take place at 5.30pm, followed by drinks and canapes in the bar at 6pm. At this point, a team of staff will quickly transform the venue into ‘party mode’ before your evening guests arrive at 7pm – and the real celebrations can begin! You'll have a chance to cut the cake, enjoy your first dance and indulge in some spectacular food throughout the evening, before things start to wind down at 11.30pm.
Where: Gore Farm, Oak Lane, Kent, ME9 7EZ
Book now: The BarnYard
The Rayleigh Club, Essex
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What: Set in the beautiful countryside of Essex, The Rayleigh Club is an experienced and flexible wedding venue home to a variety of spaces and packages. For evening weddings, ceremonies are hosted at 5pm in the intimate Ruby Room, and followed by a tranquil candlelit reception. The latter is held in The Willow Room, which offers access to a private terrace so you and your guests can enjoy a drink under the stars if it’s warm enough.
Where: Hullbridge Road, Essex, SS6 9QS
Book now: The Rayleigh Club
Little Easton Manor, Essex
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What: Little Easton Manor is a 15th century manor house set within 66 acres of beautiful English gardens and lakes, an ideal venue for a picture-perfect wedding. These guys are well-versed at hosting a huge range of services, from winter weddings to open air ceremonies, including weddings held at twilight. We can see why it would make a popular option for the latter, where a gorgeous amber sunset would reflect beautifully across its Great Lake. Exchange vows beneath its open-air pagoda as the sun sets during the summer, or book an intimate wedding in its cosy Rafters Barn for winter ceremonies. Once you’ve tied the knot, take a stroll around the lake to enjoy the last of the daylight, before kicking off celebrations in the magical Barn Theatre.
Where: Park Road, Essex, CM6 2JN
Book now: Little Easton Manor
Looking for more ways to entertain your guests? Check out these fun and unique wedding entertainment ideas to ensure your guests have a smashing time.