Creating your Destination Wedding Timeline around the Magic Hour in the Riviera Maya, Mexico
Where do I start to build my Destination Wedding Timeline?
If you've read my post on the The Riviera Maya Golden Hour Photography Guide | Best Time of Day for Stunning Shots, then you know the best place to start is to figure out when is sunset on your big day.
I always use Time and Date's | Sunrise & Sunset Calculator to check the time the sunset is going to dip on your day. In fact it's usually the first thing I do when a new inquiry comes in, as I get to start to visualize your day.
As most Destination Weddings don't require as much travel between locations, we get a lot of control over a Destination Wedding Timeline and don't have to account for much downtime. This means we get to maximize the most gorgeous light of day. I take into consideration the size of your guest list (helps me visualize how long it's going to take us to heard the cats from one location to another, and I go from there.
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
Do I need to consider the light for any other times of day?
First, you should know the sun is the harshest mid-day. It's hot, it casts hard shadows (think raccoon eyes), and is usually blinding! But it's also when you get the best colors on the sky and the ocean - those dramatic blues the Caribbean is known for! It can be fun to play with, but if you can avoid being out between 11 AM - 3 PM here in the Riviera Maya (unless you're seeking a tan), you're going to avoid the downside of this time - like heat stroke. We usually recommend getting ready during this time. Enjoy the a/c in your room, cozy up with your guys and gals and a bottle of champagne and just chill. Mid-afternoon 3 PM - 5 PM (depending on the time of year) still offers amazing colors on the ocean and the sky without quite so much heat. It also has the added benefit of the sun being over the land. This means a beach front ceremony is usually well lit and your guests aren't staring into the sun.
Want to get really technical with the light? Check out this Sun Calculator to estimate the angle of the sun to align your ceremony setup and help avoid weird shadows for your photos.
Are you a mixed race or dark melanin couple? Ever had those images where one of you is exceptionally darker than your partner? By ensuring the darker of you has more light shining on you during your ceremony means we get to see you out of the shadow. Consider checking the angle of the sun and stand on the side of your ceremony setup accordingly.
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
So what does a Destination Wedding Timeline look like in the Riviera Maya?
Starting with a guest list of typically 30- 60 people, I use the following to give average times to all of my couples. Let's say the Destination Wedding is going to happen in November, sunset is typically around 6 PM locally. If I guess that you're going to give me a solid hour of Cocktails and Portraits, I'd offer the following for about 8 hours of coverage:
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Getting Ready
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM | First Look
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Getting to the Ceremony
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Ceremony
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Post-Ceremony Hugs
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM | Cocktails + Portraits
6:15 PM - 6:30 PM | Getting to the Reception + Getting Seated
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM | First Dances
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Dinner + Speeches
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Cake Cutting + Special Performances
9:00 PM - 10:30 PM | Party!!!
Of course there are always exceptions, but a schedule like the above is a pretty great start to help get you going for your day. It's got all kinds of time in there for padding schedule snafu's (hair takes longer than you expected, a sudden shower appears out of no where, etc...).
Things to consider:
You'll need to account for additional time for getting between the major blocks of time for your day. Consider extra time if any of the following applies to you:
- Are you Getting Ready at a Boutique Hotel or Private Villa?
- Are you having your Ceremony at a Church or unique location like a Cenote?
- Will you hold your Reception at a Restaurant or private Beach Club?
PHOTO BY: MELISSA MERCADO PHOTOGRAPHY
What if I have culture specific requirements for my day?
Check out these great Destination Wedding Guides for getting married in the Riviera Maya:
A Jewish Destination Wedding Guide in the Riviera Maya Mexico
An Indian Destination Wedding Guide in the Riviera Maya Mexico
A Nigerian Destination Wedding Guide in the Riviera Maya Mexico
Have I missed a Cultural Subset? Send me a message and I'd love to write an ultimate guide just for you!
As always, I am happy to help with any questions you may have or recommendations you may need! Just shoot me a message and I'll help in any way I can to make your dreams become a reality.
