When is the best time for your wedding in Cancun?
If you have your ceremony too early, it could be very hot for you and your guests. If you have it too late, you might not have enough time to get photographs before the sun sets. Therefore the best time for your wedding ceremony in Cancun is 2 hours before sunset and let me explain.
Too Early.
It can be very hot and humid here in Cancun and the Riviera Maya and you don’t want to have your guests sitting in the scorching sun while you sweat it out during your wedding ceremony. To avoid the heat and ensure everyone stays cool, I suggest you opt for a time no earlier than 3-4 hours before sunset.
Too Late
In Cancun and the Riviera Maya, it is usually too dark for photographs about 15-20 minutes after sunset. Therefore the golden hour is the the hour BEFORE sunset and not the hour after like in most locations in the United States and Canada where I am from. Therefore, if you plan on doing your photographs after your ceremony, please look up the sunset and make sure you have enough time.
Sample Timeline
One thing the state of Q.Roo did correctly is the stopped observing daylight savings time. So while you change your clocks every fall and spring, we stay the same which means that the sun sets at a reasonable tie in the winter.
For example, in Early January the sun will set between 6:15 and 6:30.
In this case, I suggest a ceremony time of 4:00 so you have plenty of time and are not rushed. And to visualize it, here is a sample timeline I would suggest for photography for a couple getting married at 4:00 in early January:
2:30-4:00 Getting ready photographs
4:00-4:30 Ceremony
4:30-5:00 Group photograph of everyone at wedding + Family and other group photographs.
5:00-5:30 Photographs with the bridal party on the beach and around the resort.
5:30-6:00 Photographs of the couple on the beach and around the resort.
6:00-6:30 Entrance to the reception (and first dances).
6:30-?:?? Dinner, speeches, dancing, party, etc.
A Couple of Notes
I don’t suggest getting ready photographs much before the bride has 90% of her makeup done. And for the guys, well we prefer to start photographing after they have their pants on.
I also suggest erring on the side of caution. If the sun sets at 6:20, then I suggest a 4:00 ceremony time rather than a 4:30 as I would rather you have a relaxed day than be rushed.
Resorts
Resorts have their own policies around when you can have your ceremony, so please check with your resort as depending on how many other weddings they have, you may need to have your ceremony a little earlier or later. But don’t worry, I’m flexible and will work with you to make any ceremony time work so that you get beautiful photographs and have a perfect day.
If you have questions or concerns about the timing of your wedding, or you’re like my wife and could not visualize how your day will unfold, please get in touch with me through the contact page and I will be happy to help!
Thank you,
Dean
Wedding photographer in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Tulum