Ceremony Timing at Blackstone Rivers Ranch

One of the most common questions couples ask when planning their wedding at Blackstone Rivers Ranch is what time their ceremony should start. The ideal ceremony time typically falls between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM, depending largely on the time of year and the amount of daylight available.

Couples often hope for soft, flattering light during their ceremony when the sun sits behind the trees. This creates a natural glow without harsh sunlight on faces in photos. In summer months, especially July, you can comfortably choose a later ceremony start time because Colorado evenings stay bright and warm much longer.

Most ceremonies last about 20–30 minutes, after which guests transition immediately into cocktail hour. This is an important part of the timing puzzle. Cocktail hour is when guests mingle outdoors, enjoy drinks and appetizers, and take in the scenery. Ideally, this happens during golden hour when the light is warm and beautiful for photos.

Planning the ceremony too late can push cocktail hour and dinner into darkness. While evening ambiance is lovely, you also want guests to see their meals and comfortably enjoy the evening. A thoughtfully timed ceremony ensures beautiful light for photos, a glowing cocktail hour, and a relaxed dinner to follow. The ceremony start time of the mid-October wedding below was 4:30pm.

Photo: Madeline J Studios