New law re: wedding timings - would you change yours? Will much change?

I saw this on the frontpage blog today

http://www.hitched.co.uk/chat/blogs/planwithfran/page/20121004/get-married-24-hours-a-day-new-marriage-law-now-in-place.aspx

and it got me thinking: will this mean a big change for weddings, or will most people stick with the usual daytime slots? I suppose if someone really really wants a certain date that's already getting booked up, it gives more options, but will registrars really be available at midnight/2am if they've been working the day before and have a wedding the day after as well? Will hotel venues be happy for celebrations when many guests are sleeping? Churches definitely can't ring bells at all hours, and would vicars/choirs/churchwardens get out of bed?

as for guests - surely a 9-10pm wedding, not to mention even later, could mean an enforced hotel stay whereas they may just drive home from an earlier wedding. 

I can see it being used for the winter months, when current laws and timing of dusk means earlier weddings at the moment and fewer late weddings, and maybe for a few "gimmicky" weddings where people insist on midnight for whatever reason, or theme their day (night?) around starlight, but somehow I can't see a huge change coming.

What about you? Would this affect your decision were you to start planning now?

Personally, we married late afternoon, so the ceremony was in daylight but photos towards sunset. Initially when I was told "just before sunset" I was really worried that it would all be too dark, and I definitely wouldn't have wanted a wedding in the dark. I think I may be tempted for a small wedding in winter, so we could use candlelight, or even for a summer beach barbecue style wedding, but not for a more traditional style.

Over to you!

Nope wouldn't change a thing. We had a noon wedding.

I like that we're getting married at 11am, I'll go to church in the morning as a Miss and will be a Mrs by noon :)

No would not change a thing we getting married at 3:00.

As you quite rightly point out there a whole host of other factors that need to be considered such as alcohol licencing laws, noise and transport...I guess it will attract the people that like to get married at midnight NYE  

I do think it's nice to have the option of doing it as seems to be the norm in America which is getting married at, say, 5 or 6, and then your reception lasting for the evening and having your wedding breakfast at normal dinner time.

I'd wonder what I'd do with the rest of the day though! I'd be itching to get down the aisle!

In reality, I don't think it'll change much. Weddings over here are still fairly traditional, generally all follow the same pattern and the industry (on the whole) is very set in its ways. I think it'll take a fair while for things to change that.

Aside from which, I don't believe the majority of people would even want to get married at 10pm, for example, just because they now can. I can see a surge in novelty times like Midnight NYE (as has been mentioned), but other than that I can't imagine people will be fighting over an 8pm slot!

It's nice though that people may now have the choice.

Personally, I'd love to see a complete shift in how weddings work, with much more variations in timings, order of service and so on, but I don't believe this will be it- atleast not for a long time.

No would not change a thing we getting married at 3:00.

As you quite rightly point out there a whole host of other factors that need to be considered such as alcohol licencing laws, noise and transport...I guess it will attract the people that like to get married at midnight NYE  

No would not change a thing we getting married at 3:00.

As you quite rightly point out there a whole host of other factors that need to be considered such as alcohol licencing laws, noise and transport...I guess it will attract the people that like to get married at midnight NYE  

Potentially it changes a lot.

Couples can get married on a weekday informally, in a church perhaps, then have an evening reception rather than a long, sometimes convoluted and often expensive day.

The relaxed informal wedding is upon us.

I'm getting married in 2014 and although we're making a day of it, I just want to be married and celebrate somewhere. Canapes, dinner then a further buffet later on, drinks receptions, a dj, photo booths, master of ceremonies and all that additional filler seem a bit much for me (don't want a fuss, just get married and spend a few hours with close friends).

I can see a lot of potential all dayers preferring this, especially if it's the difference between spending 14k or 4k. That's a big incentive.

I don't think much will change. I can't see registrars being willing to perform ceremonies much past 6pm. They might do some special times as already mentioned e.g. midnight NYE, but I'm sure they'd charge a huge amount for that! 

Can't you already have a midweek church wedding, say 4-5pm and on to an evening reception?

Can't you already have a midweek church wedding, say 4-5pm and on to an evening reception?

Looking forward to my first enquiry who asks for 3am coverage! Do you think they'll ask for a discount or expect to pay more? 

Looking forward to my first enquiry who asks for 3am coverage! Do you think they'll ask for a discount or expect to pay more? 

After watching some 4 weddings uSA and don't tell the bride USA I think the evening weddings are nice - also means guests don't have to take the time off work necessarily and are still able to come and enjoy. Evening weddings may also feature less children (can't be a bad thing). I do wonder whether it will mean some 'vegas style get married 24/7' chapels opening anywhere though??!

LLB x