How Long Should My Wedding Ceremony Be?

 Just how long should your wedding ceremony be? It's a question I'm asked often. If you haven't been to many weddings, or if the ones you have attended seemed to go on forever, you may be wondering what the ideal length should be.

The good news is that there isn't one perfect answer. In my experience, the best ceremony isn't the longest one or the shortest one. It's the one that reflects who you are as a couple without including a whole lot of unnecessary fluff.

How Long Does a 'Typical' Wedding Ceremony Last?

The simple answer is that there really isn't a "typical" wedding ceremony. Every couple is different, and the length of your ceremony should reflect what is important to the two of you.

Most of the personalised ceremonies I conduct last around 20 minutes. Some extend to about 30 minutes if the couple chooses to include a meaningful ritual, a reading or a speech from a friend or family member. The longest ceremony I've conducted ran for around 40 minutes because it included cultural traditions that were deeply important to the couple and their families.

At the other end of the scale, a legals-only ceremony generally takes around five or ten minutes, as it includes only the legal requirements. Couples often choose this option if they're planning a cultural ceremony or celebration at another time or in another location, or just want to get married with absolutely no fuss.

A minimony-style ceremony usually lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. It offers a warm and meaningful ceremony without the same level of personalisation as a full ceremony.

Rather than asking how long your ceremony should be, a better question is whether it includes the moments that matter most to you. A ceremony that feels authentic will never feel too short - or too long.

Should You Add Extra Rituals Just to Make It Longer?

Readings and unity rituals can add wonderful meaning and emotion to a wedding ceremony, but they should never be included simply to make the ceremony longer. If a particular ritual or reading is genuinely significant to you, then it's well worth considering.

My daughter Michelle and her wife Emma have five children between them. During their wedding ceremony, they included a handfasting, with each of the children placing a different coloured ribbon over their joined hands before the celebrant tied them together. The symbolism of bringing their family together in that moment was incredibly moving.

At my own wedding, our friend Donna honoured us by reading an excerpt from The Invitation by Oriah. It was a passage that held deep meaning for Geoff and me, and having someone special read it made that moment even more memorable.

The most meaningful ceremonies aren't necessarily the longest ones or the ones with the greatest number of rituals. They're the ones where every element has a purpose and reflects the couple standing in front of their family and friends.

My Advice to Couples

When couples ask me how long their ceremony should be, my answer is always the same: it should be long enough to include the moments that are important to you, but no longer.

Whether your ceremony lasts five minutes or twenty-five, what matters is that every part of it has a purpose. In my experience, once a ceremony starts becoming longer than about thirty minutes, it's worth asking whether every element is adding something or whether a little editing could make it even stronger.

Your guests won’t remember exactly how many minutes your ceremony lasted. And no one has ever told me they wished their ceremony had been ten minutes longer. What they remember is how it made them feel.

Conclusion

When it comes to planning your wedding ceremony, it's easy to get caught up in what you think you should do. But there are very few rules when it comes to creating a ceremony that feels personal and meaningful.

What matters most is that it reflects the two of you. If every part of your ceremony has a purpose and leaves you and your guests feeling connected to the moment, then you've got the length exactly right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 20-minute wedding ceremony long enough?

Absolutely. In my experience, around 20 minutes is a lovely length for a personalised ceremony. It gives you plenty of time to share your story, exchange vows and rings, and include any meaningful elements without your ceremony feeling rushed or overly long.

How long does a legal wedding ceremony take in Australia?

A legals-only ceremony generally takes around five minutes. It includes the legal wording required for your marriage to be valid, but doesn't include the level of personalisation found in a full wedding ceremony.

Is a longer wedding ceremony more meaningful?

Not necessarily. A ceremony becomes meaningful because of the moments it contains, not because of its length. A shorter ceremony where every word has purpose will often have a greater impact than a longer ceremony filled with things that don't really reflect the couple.

Should we include readings or rituals in our ceremony?

If they're meaningful to you, absolutely. Readings and unity rituals can add real emotion and significance to your ceremony. The key is to include them because they tell your story or reflect your relationship, not simply to make your ceremony longer.

Will our guests think the ceremony is too short?

Probably not. Guests are far more likely to remember how your ceremony made them feel than exactly how many minutes it lasted. A ceremony that is warm, personal and engaging will always leave a stronger impression than one that simply goes on for longer.

If you have any questions about getting married, feel free to get in touch. I'm always happy to help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Weddings with Cathy Home Page

Enjoying the blog? Join my newsletter mailing list for occasional wedding planning tips, ceremony ideas and new posts. No spam, and you can unsubscribe at any time.