{"id":226604,"date":"2026-02-05T16:55:44","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uauu.cat\/cuanto-dura-una-boda\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T17:47:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:47:16","slug":"how-long-does-a-wedding-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uauu.cat\/en\/how-long-does-a-wedding-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does a Wedding Last? Everything You Need to Get Organized"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
One of the first questions you ask yourselves when organizing your wedding is, without a doubt, how long the celebration will last<\/strong>. The answer is not unique, because it depends on the type of ceremony, the format you choose and, of course, your personal preferences.<\/p>\n Knowing the duration helps you better plan the schedules, coordinate suppliers and, very importantly, manage your guests’ expectations so they can enjoy from start to finish. At UAUU we have been organizing weddings in Barcelona<\/strong><\/a> for years and we know that understanding the timing of each phase is key to everything flowing without stress and allowing you to dedicate yourselves to what really matters: celebrating your love.<\/p>\n\n Generally, a wedding usually lasts between 6 and 8 hours<\/strong>, counting from the start of the ceremony until the music stops and the last guests say goodbye.<\/p>\n However, this is just an average. A civil wedding at a courthouse can be very brief, while a religious celebration followed by a large banquet and a party that extends until dawn can exceed 10 or 12 hours.<\/p>\n Daytime weddings tend to be a bit longer, as they start earlier, while evening weddings usually concentrate the celebration in a more intense period. From our experience at UAUU, we have seen that the key is finding the perfect balance for you.<\/p>\n Juan Cordero<\/p><\/div>\n To give you a clearer idea, we have broken down the approximate duration of each moment of the wedding. These times are indicative and you can adapt them to your taste.<\/p>\n The cocktail hour is the time to socialize, relax after the ceremony and start enjoying the party. It normally lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours<\/strong>. It is the perfect time for guests to enjoy some canap\u00e9s and cocktails, while you take advantage to have your first photos as newlyweds.<\/p>\n The banquet, whether lunch or dinner, is one of the central and longest parts of the wedding. Its duration is usually 2 to 3 hours<\/strong>. This time includes starters, main courses, dessert, cake cutting, toasts and speeches from your loved ones.<\/p>\n Let the party begin! Dancing is the golden finale of the celebration.<\/p>\n It usually lasts between 2 and 4 hours<\/strong>, although this can vary greatly. From the first dance as a couple to the last song, it is the moment to release all the energy and celebrate with your guests. If you want to add a special touch, you can include a crazy hour for weddings<\/strong><\/a> that will liven up the party even more.<\/p>\n More and more couples are deciding to start the celebration before the big day with a pre-wedding event<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This event, which usually takes place the day before, is a fantastic opportunity to welcome guests coming from out of town and break the ice in a more relaxed atmosphere. A pre-wedding can last between 2 and 4 hours<\/strong> and take different formats, from an informal dinner to a cocktail or brunch.<\/p>\n At UAUU we have organized pre-weddings in our Barcelona venues that become the perfect prelude to an unforgettable weekend.<\/p>\n Elm Murcia<\/p><\/div>\n For couples who want to take the celebration to the next level, weekend weddings<\/strong> are an incredible option.<\/p>\n Instead of concentrating everything in one day, the party extends over 2 or 3 days. The planning could be: a welcome dinner on Friday, the ceremony and main party on Saturday, and a farewell brunch on Sunday.<\/p>\n This format allows you to enjoy much more of your guests’ company and creates a totally immersive experience. Venues like those we offer at UAUU are perfect for this type of wedding, as they have everything necessary to accommodate your guests and organize different events.<\/p>\n The duration of your wedding will depend on several factors that you must consider when planning:<\/p>\n To ensure everything flows smoothly on your wedding day, we leave you with some practical tips based on our experience:<\/p>\n How long does a civil wedding last?<\/strong> Is a long or short wedding better?<\/strong> How long does dancing last at a wedding?<\/strong> How do I know if my wedding is too long?<\/strong> Atypical wedding<\/p><\/div>\n Properly planning how long a wedding lasts<\/strong> is essential so you can enjoy your big day without stress or rush. Having the help of experienced professionals, like the UAUU team, will allow you to design a customized, realistic timing adapted to your wishes.<\/p>\n A versatile venue and a team that advises you at every step are the best guarantee that everything will turn out perfect. In the end, the most important thing is that every minute of your celebration is exactly as you had imagined it.<\/p>\n At UAUU we know that each wedding is a world and that timing must adapt to your needs. Our venues in Barcelona, such as Can Maci\u00e0<\/strong><\/a> or Ca n’Alzina<\/strong><\/a>, are designed to host celebrations of any duration, with the flexibility and support you need for everything to flow perfectly. If you want to organize your wedding<\/strong><\/a> with the peace of mind of knowing you are in good hands and enjoy every moment, we are here to help you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the first questions you ask yourselves when organizing your wedding is, without a doubt, how long the celebration will last. The answer is not unique, because it depends on the type of ceremony, the format you choose and, of course, your personal preferences. Knowing the duration helps you better plan the schedules, coordinate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":226590,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[528],"tags":[550],"post_series":[],"class_list":["post-226604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casaments-en","tag-en"],"yoast_head":"\nHow long does a wedding last on average?<\/h2>\n

How long does each phase of a wedding last?<\/h2>\n
Ceremony<\/h3>\n
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Cocktail hour<\/h3>\n
Banquet<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nDancing and party<\/h3>\n
The pre-wedding trend: how much time does it add?<\/h2>\n

Weekend weddings: how long do they last?<\/h2>\n
What factors influence the duration of a wedding?<\/h2>\n
\n
Practical tips for managing your wedding timing<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFrequently asked questions about how long a wedding lasts<\/h2>\n
\nA civil wedding is usually quick, between 20 and 30 minutes if it is at a courthouse. If it is a symbolic ceremony at an estate, it can extend to 45 minutes to include readings and personalized rituals.<\/p>\n
\nThere is no correct answer. It depends on your personality and the type of celebration you dream of. A short wedding can be more intimate and economical, while a long wedding allows you to enjoy more time with your guests.<\/p>\n
\nIt is usual for dancing to last between 2 and 4 hours, but you are the ones who set the pace. You can extend it if you are very festive or shorten it if you prefer a quieter celebration. The first dance<\/strong><\/a> marks the beginning of this long-awaited phase.<\/p>\n
\nA good sign is to think about your guests. If you have many elderly people or children, perhaps a wedding of more than 8 hours is excessive. The key is to maintain a good pace and ensure that interesting things are always happening.<\/p>\n
The importance of planning your wedding timing well<\/h2>\n