Sunset Wedding- what time??

Karmalife

Hi everyone. We are planning a beach wedding on Sanibel Island, Florida for May 14th. I looked up the sunset time and it says 7:59. The photographer told us we should start shooting an hour and a half before sunset. My question is, for those of you who are planning beach or sunset weddings, how soon before sunset are you reciting your vows? It will be just the two of us and we still haven't booked the officiant but we need to figure out the exact time first. Thank you for any input!

Let me add that there will be no guests- just me, the groom, the officiant and the photographer. So I am not worried about anyone else. Just trying to figure out what time most people do sunset ceremonies- how soon before the actual sunset.

MeatAuditor

Our photog suggested ceremony start 1 hour prior to sunset if we want lots of sunset shots.  It depends on how many group photos you're doing after vows.  With such a late sunset in your situation, it may get hard.  Guests may be pretty hungry when the reception starts.

teachermegs

We did our ceremony at 4:30 and did sunset pictures after dinner. You do not want your guests looking into the sunset during your ceremony.

Karmalife

We are not having any guests, so that isn't an issue.
How soon before sunset was your ceremony and how did the after dinner pictures turn out? Was it too dark after sunset or did you take them right before?

teachermegs

Sunset was 7:30. We took pictures as the sun went down and some after. I don't have my pictures back yet. We did family pics right after the ceremony.

BuelowMrsBuelow

is there a website that you can go to, to find out the exact sunset for the date you have for your wedding. We too are having a "Sunset" themed wedding.