Married Life

Ceremony & Reception Times

I have a problem about my wedding ceremony time. At my church, the latest time a wedding can start is 2pm. But, my fiance and I wanted to have a later reception that starts at 4 or 5pm. Since the ceremony will probably be over by 2:30 I don't know what to do what that block of time in between the ceremony and reception.
Does anyone have any ideas of what to do with the guests during that time? Most of them will be from out of town. Or should we just give in and have the reception early?
Thanks!

Posted On: Nov 1, 2009 at 4:07 PM | Vendors are allowed to participate

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Amanda F.

Wedding: 10/23/2010

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Debi B.

Cater It Simple

Posted On: Nov 01, 2009 at 4:37 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
The ceremony will be over by 2:30. Then you allocate time for everyone to exit the church. Having your receiving line then will eat up some time. Then some folks will hang around to get some after-wedding photos. How far is the drive to the reception? I think by the time you factor in everything that goes on after the ceremony, you won't have as much time as you think. . I went thru this exercise with my niece when she got married. By the time she REALLY thought about all that would take place, she had to call the country club to push back the serving time for dinner 'coz she wouldnt' be there yet at the original serve time! LOL! . If you have some appetizers, snack foods, and something for them to drink (whether it's a bar or tea & soft drinks,) while they wait for your arrival, they will be fine. . YOu can indicate on your invites "Reception Cocktail Hour at 4:00 .... Dinner at 6:00" (or whatever) so folks have a general idea of how much time they need to allow for the sitter.

Tracey

Wedding: 05/22/2011

Posted On: Nov 01, 2009 at 4:37 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Do you have parents that live nearby that can host some people at their house between the times? I've been to a few weddings where there has been a long time in between but we just went and got a drink before the reception.

Karen B.

Custom Creations & Invitations

Posted On: Nov 01, 2009 at 5:17 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I agree that time will go by quicker than you think. On your reception cards you can do something like: Please join us for a reception at location/etc. Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres at four o'clock (or whenever), followed by Dinner & Dancing. That way they know they'll be chatting and eating/drinking until you arrive and then dinner is served. Gives them a little advance warning of what the time frame is. You can also put a small card in your invitation which has a variety of sights to see in the area for those guests who are out of town. Sometimes even if there isn't time to actually go in to some of the sights, it's interesting to see where they are and the neighborhood surrounding them. Just some thoughts...We've often done this when there's a gap in between and wish we'd have had a card telling us what sights there were to see in the area.

Trina

Wedding: 09/10/2010

Posted On: Nov 01, 2009 at 8:17 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Time that day will def go by fast. But once the ceremony is over your guests can go to the place where the reception will be held and have a cocktail and finger foods or whatever your venue would have out for that. I would like Karen said and include it in the invitation. During that time I would not have any alcohol served. If you do have it be wine or something light

Goodnote

Steve Hoffman - GOOD NOTE DJs

Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 12:18 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
My advice? Start the reception a bit earlier t As a wedding DJ who arrives way early to set up his equipment etc, I've observed many times when there's an extra gap between end of the ceremony and official start of the reception, here's what happens: Some of the guests arrive at the reception site early and basically sit around twiddling their thumbs, while they watch the DJ and the caterer staff finish setting up! Which isn't a whole lot of fun. Yes, you can offer appetizers, snack food, beverages for the "early birds." That's fine. But you still need to arrange with the reception site and caterer what time you want the cocktail hour to start. Plan to start it whenever you'd estimate guests will start to arrive. On the other hand, if the gap between ceremony end and reception start is long enough, out of town guests can go back to their hotel rooms and relax and freshen up before the reception.

Amanda F.

Wedding: 10/23/2010

Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 7:13 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Thanks for your advice. I completely forgot about the receiving line!

yadayada

Married: 10/30/2009
Reviews: 5

Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 7:47 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I am guessing you are Catholic? Are you open to having your wedding on a Friday night? That's what we did because they allowed for later start times on Fridays. Plus you get discounts with most vendors.

Fontainebleau Strings

Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 9:05 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Generally, we are hired to play ceremony music. But occasionally we play during the "cocktail hour." If you expect guests to be hanging around while the DJ sets up, consider hiring some live (acoustic) musicians for ambience--before things get loud!

CelticChick831

Married: 10/17/2009
Reviews: 7

Posted On: Nov 02, 2009 at 9:10 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
My ceremony was suppose to start at 2 but started late like a LOT do. So figure your ceremony starts at 2:15 over at 2:45. everyone out by 3:15 between saying goodbys, see ya at the reception's and who's following who's. Figure everyone will be at the reception and settled into their seats enough to start the cocktail hour by 3:30-3:45 and you and your Bridal party will get there between 4 and 4:30 because of pictures. The timeline will fall very close if you leave it where it is. Relax and it will be fine. People dont mind hanging around talking for a bit if they have to either.

J.J

Wedding: 09/10/2011

Posted On: Nov 04, 2009 at 7:39 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Make sure to give yourself time for delays and the unexpected. If your ceremony is at 2 then plan for a cocktail hour to begin at like 3:30 or so then dinner at 4:30. That should give you plenty of time for delays and pictures and some very much needed alone time with your new husband.

nmm

Party Planners Plus

Posted On: Nov 04, 2009 at 8:04 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Hi Amanda, Great news is you have lots of time to get this worded on a Reception card that you can put with the invitation. If your ceremony time has to be at 2pm and you want your Reception to begin at 5pm and you plan on serving dinner, give guest some options as to where some of your favorite places are and maybe set-up with a bar close by to host just a small discount for your guest that may stop by, think about drink tickets with the bar. This gives them some place other than the reception site to relax and have some fun. Include the drink tickets in the invitation. Ask the bar or restraunt about giving you discounts for your guest coming and if they show a ticket to get the drink putting it on a tab for you. Not everyone will do it but it gives your guest an option. Same concept can work at hotels. Be creative! The time in-between can give you more of a relaxed time and not so rushed feeling while getting your pictures done and to freshen up. Good luck! Nora PPP

Tanja V.

Wedding: 09/25/2010

Posted On: Nov 16, 2009 at 11:52 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Your choices are noon, 2 pm or 7 pm times. I'm in a similar situation and am trying to locate the Church that will offer 4 or 5 o'clock ceremony. Have you done any research on whether times are available in between 2 and 7 pm?

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Etiquette and Customs