Citation Glasgow and Dunkeld House Hotel, two of the latest Scottish wedding venues to introduce ‘twilight weddings’, share what future brides and grooms can expect from the golden-hour offering
Thanks to the women’s magazines of the early noughties, we’ve all been well-versed in taking an outfit from ‘day to night’ – swap the flats for heels, add a statement necklace and swipe on a touch of lipstick. But if it’s weddings we’re talking and you’re considering swapping the traditionally daytime ceremony for an evening slot, what then?
What is a twilight wedding?
If you’re a self-proclaimed laid-back couple seeking a smaller, more intimate ceremony without the traditional formality of conventional speeches and a sit-down meal, a twilight wedding is a great new option for you.
With guests not expected to arrive until 4 or 5pm, the big day festivities kick off with the ceremony itself, and in a twist of events, heads straight on to an evening party shortly after the newlyweds have said ‘I do’.
Following a surge in the number of couples seeking the alternative approach, popular four-star Perthshire destination, Dunkeld House Hotel is excited to introduce twilight weddings.
Lisa-Marie Finnegan, wedding and events manager at Dunkeld House Hotel, says: “Twilight weddings are a huge trend at the moment, with more couples than ever seeking a hassle-free wedding ceremony.
“We have had more and more enquiries about the trend so wanted to ensure our offering reflects this here at the hotel.
“What’s more, there’s something very romantic about getting married towards sunset and what better place to create those magical memories than in the heart of the Perthshire countryside.”
What’s included in a twilight wedding ceremony package?
This will vary from venue to venue, dependant on their specific location, facilities, capacity and food and drink offerings.
Pauline Muir, events and weddings manager at Citation says: “The Twilight package at Citation offers the perfect combination of fun, flexibility and finesse for couples looking for a more relaxed wedding day, whilst ensuring their guests are looked after and well fed.
“The Twilight wedding schedule fits perfectly within a city centre location, with exceptional transport options within Glasgow’s city centre, and with our 1am license, the party can continue into the early hours.”
Based on 100 guests, a Twilight wedding package at Citation is priced at £6,000 in 2024 and £6,600 in 2025.
This includes:
- exclusive-use venue hire
- a personal wedding manager and master of ceremonies
- a pre- or post-ceremony glass of prosecco
- a selection of chef’s canapés
- personalised wedding stationary
- in-house LED lighting
- full finger-food buffet
- a cake knife, table and stand
- in-house wedding DJ
Excited to make “even more dream weddings come to life”, Lisa-Marie shares that Dunkeld House Hotel’s Twilight wedding package includes:
- use of its front lawn or ceremony marquee
- a glass of fizz and three canapés per person
- a hot buffet alongside a glass of house wine or beer for all guests
- the use of all linens, tables and chairs
- a 15% discount for the Birnam Suite for couples on their wedding night
The reduced number of formalities to get through means that twilight weddings can offer couples a more cost-effective alternative to their big day, which, at Dunkeld House Hotel is priced at £75 per person for a 2024 ceremony, and £85 per person for weddings taking place in 2025 (based on the minimum of 75 guests, £5,625 in 2024 and £6,375 in 2025).
What does a twilight wedding timetable look like?
To really break the evening down, so you can understand exactly what fits into the shortened itinerary (and make sure there are no missing traditional elements you can’t bear to be without) both Dunkeld House Hotel and Citation have provided their approximate twilight timelines.
Dunkeld House Hotel
4pm: Guests begin to arrive at the Riverside Marquee bar for welcome drinks
5pm The wedding party begins to make its way to the ceremony site
5:15pm Guests begin to take their seats
5:30pm Twilight wedding ceremony begins
6pm The wedding party and guests make their way to the evening celebration at the Riverside Marquee for drinks and canapés
7pm The bride and groom cut the cake and have their first dance, before the evening party begins
8:30pm A hot buffet is served to the wedding party and guests
11:45 Guests depart
Citation
5:00pm Guests arrival and drinks reception
6.00pm Ceremony
6:45pm Canapés, drinks & pictures
8:00pm Informal speeches, cake cutting and first dance
9.00pm Buffet served
1:00am Carriages arrive and guests depart