I’m sometimes told, “We’d like a personalised wedding ceremony, but will it be too long”? You can have a personalised wedding ceremony, which can be as long or as short as you want. There’s no need to prep yourself for a long, tedious & unrelatable wedding ceremony, but it doesn’t have to be over before you know it! A wedding ceremony can be super short. A “Legals Only Ceremony” is just that – only the legal stuff. Most people are surprised to know that the very minimum required to be said for you to be legally married is only a few sentences.
You probably haven’t been to too many weddings that short, and that’s because most couples envisage a personalised ceremony that taps into their style and personalities.
I haven’t answered your question yet, though.
How long will our wedding ceremony be?
Sorry to be vague, but there really isn’t a definitive answer. Your wedding ceremony should be as long as you want.
There are SO MANY factors that go into the length of a personalised wedding ceremony. Things like:
- Your story – Your ceremony should reflect your unique love story and personality, and it might take 10 minutes or an hour.
- Comfort Levels – Some couples thrive in the spotlight, while others prefer to be part of the crowd rather than the ones up the front. Your ceremony length should match your comfort levels.
- Guest Engagement – Consider your audience – a shorter ceremony might be better for restless guests or young children. Alternatively, you might be looking for a fun and entertaining ceremony that would go for a bit longer.
- Venue Restrictions – Some locations may have time limits. Your ceremony should fit within these constraints while sounding complete and maintaining a natural flow, not hurried or rushed.
- Cultural and Religious Elements – Incorporating specific traditions or rituals may extend or shorten your ceremony.
- Vows – Whether you’re planning to write your own vows or simply say ‘I do’, you can extend the length of your ceremony.
- Budget Considerations – Longer ceremonies might incur additional costs for venue rental or celebrant fees. Choose a style of ceremony that fits your budget.
- Weather – The seasons might influence the ideal ceremony length for outdoor weddings. For instance, an outdoor summer wedding might need to be shorter so guests (and you) don’t become uncomfortable on a hot day.
- Personal Preferences – Ultimately, it’s your day. Your ceremony should be as long or short as you want, focusing on what matters most to you.
What’s the average ceremony length?
Over the years, I’ve found that most couples are comfortable with around 30 minutes, but it’s important to say that no ‘one size fits all’ exists. Some of the instructions I’ve received when I’m getting ready to start writing a ceremony are:
- How we met is so unusual we really want to include it in our ceremony
- Neither of us likes being in front of people because we’re nervous, so we want it short, please!
- Most people know how we met, so we don’t need to say it all again.
- We definitely want our story as the focus of our wedding ceremony
- We’ve asked two people to do readings for us
- We’ve put our memories of meeting in our reception speeches. We don’t need our ceremony to be long, but we still want it to be personalised for us.
Take-Away
When planning your wedding ceremony, it’s essential to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your ceremony can be as short or detailed as you want, reflecting your unique love story, comfort levels, and personal preferences. While a basic legal ceremony might only take three minutes, a personalized ceremony can vary in length depending on factors like guest engagement, cultural traditions, and venue restrictions. Ultimately, the length should align with what feels right for you as a couple, ensuring a memorable and meaningful experience that resonates with your personalities and values.