Need help with a time

carolinagal78

So I'm getting married on the beach in Sept and I kinda wanted a sunset wedding. Not sure though. What do you ladies suggest?

pirategal03

www.timeanddate.com shows the sunset is at 7:29pm on September 10, 2011.  I think that's the astronomical sunset (twilight).  You'll probably want true or civilian sunset.  Civilian twilight would give you the sunset look but you should remember that the NC beaches face East and South, so your guests could have their backs or sides to the sunset when facing the waves, depending on which beach you choose.

Here's a link (clicky) to more than you thought you'd ever need to know about civilian, astronomical and nautical twilight and other nerdy things like that.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you want sunset, you should pay attention now to what time it is when you think the light is "right" then what time it is when the top of the sun dips past the horizon (that's generally considered the sunset time) and calculate the difference, then apply that number to the 7:29 time for your wedding day, consider the length of your ceremony, and you'll have a good estimate for a start time. 

carolinagal78

Wow thanx! I'll check out that website. Sounds more complicated than I thought. I had just thought about paying attention to the time this year to get an idea. I realize it will be different next year tho. The website will prob be more helpful.

brokenhallelujah

Also consider pictures if you want them taken during or after the ceremony at the ceremony site. While I think a sunset wedding is a nice idea, it is hard to predict exactly, and here on the East coast the sun will not be setting over the ocean (which is what I think of for more sunset beach weddings). But I'm sure it can be done. Maybe try googling it to get some inspiration & ideas.

carolinagal78

True True. Plus I dont really think I want to get married that late (7:30ish). I know the photographer could tell me better what would be best w/pictures and etc. I havent decided on one yet. That will prob be one of the next things I cross off my list. Thanks ladies!

pirategal03

Which beach are you using?

alliegator8

you also might need to consider the tide schedule. We are having our ceremony at 3:30 in the afternoon b/c it's between tides.

alliegator8

to add to the photog thing.  You can get great pictures in the early evening.  It's still light out, but the sun isn't as intense which is the ideal situation.  If ou do it in the early evening, you could probably get some nice color in the sky.

carolinagal78

We are using Topsail.