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VIP October 2021

2:30pm reception What time should we end

Monica, on July 12, 2019 at 3:31 PM Posted in Planning 0 14

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Im trying to figure out the full length of the reception. We dont have any restrictions on our reception venue, we just have to be off the premises by 1am and we turn the keys in on Sunday at noon. We are considering a DJ && a band that will alternate but if we are paying for both I want to make sure we have time to partayy! We will have all of the usual reception traditions + a few extra mexican tradition special dances. And FYI our ceremony will start at 1pm

First question: is 2:30-8:30 okay? Can I push it to 2:30-9 or is that too much).
Cocktail hour & appetizers will be from 2;30-3:30

Last question: Is a 4pm dinner a good time? Or should we eat immediately after the first dance?

My thoughts:
3:30 grand entrance
-first dance
3:40 3 speeches
3:55 toast & blessing of food.
—> 4pm -5pm dinner
Should I move some stuff around?

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14 Comments

Latest activity by Melle, on July 13, 2019 at 5:00 AM

Super May 2020
Michaela · on July 12, 2019 at 3:38 PM
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4 seems early to have dinner, but it's a know your crowd thing. 4 is definitely too early if you are doing appetizers at 2:30. I would say push dinner back to 5, until 6 or 6:30 then party as long as you want! That's another know your crowd thing. I'm personally having my reception go until Midnight! If you're doing both a band and DJ, you could have the band first during cocktail "hour". Then everyone can enjoy the band from 2:30 until the end of dinner around 6. Then have the DJ transition for after dinner until 10? or later if you want more dancing time!! Just some ideas!
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Master January 2019
Cassidy · on July 12, 2019 at 3:49 PM
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Our ceremony started at 2:30.
Cocktail hr was from 3:45-5
entrance and first dance at 5
dinner at 5:20
my husband and i left at 8:45 and most of our guests were gone by that time.
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VIP October 2021
Monica · on July 12, 2019 at 4:07 PM
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I want to party! Lol! But I just dont want ppl to feel like the day was too long. I know if the music is good ppl will stay to dance. The band is a latin band which will play salsa, cumbia and a great mix with the dj playing hip hop, oldies, and indiaj music
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on July 12, 2019 at 4:09 PM
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If you want to serve dinner and have a party vibe, I would push the entire event back to a 4 pm start time, at the very earliest. A 2 pm ceremony and a 9 pm end time is long for a wedding and leaves you with an awkward timeline.
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VIP October 2021
Monica · on July 12, 2019 at 4:09 PM
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Thanks for your thoughts!
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VIP October 2021
Monica · on July 12, 2019 at 4:13 PM
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I do want a party vibe & i do know its kind of awkward but i was trying to be considerate of the guests. Most will be commuting 40min-1 hour, so I figured ppl would be more will to stay until the very end if we ended somewhat early. Also we are cleaning up by ourselves so I dont want it to be too late. Just my thoughts as to why i picked those times
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on July 12, 2019 at 4:15 PM
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Then I would serve the meal after first dances. People will probably eat a very early lunch or skip lunch altogether for a 2 pm wedding.
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Super May 2020
Michaela · on July 12, 2019 at 4:26 PM
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I think that if you want a party vibe, allocate 4 hours for dancing at dinner. So if you decide to do dinner 4-5 dancing until 9, dinner 5-6 dancing until 10. Again it's a know your crowd thing. My family would be super confused if we kicked them all out at 9 oclock regardless if the wedding started at 2 oclock. People who aren't partiers are going to leave early regardless of the end time just because they don't like to dance as much
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Savvy October 2019
Jess · on July 12, 2019 at 4:41 PM
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So, our reception is starting at the same time as yours and I’ve been struggling with this, too! We’re serving our food at 4 pm and just including that on the details card so people know. We’re doing the exact same schedule you listed - mostly so the dance floor is ‘open’ as soon as dinner is done.

We also just decided not to extend the reception because people will be hungry and we’re not serving a second meal - so we’re doing an after party for friends and family who want to stay out and party longer at a local brewery.

I’m sure it will be wonderful, whatever you decide!
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Master October 2020
Mandi · on July 12, 2019 at 4:45 PM
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Will you be offended if your guests leave before the end of the reception?
I'm looking at your times and picturing getting this invite. I'm leaving this party between 5-6.
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VIP October 2021
Monica · on July 12, 2019 at 6:13 PM
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Oh cool we are in the same boat! I thought about maybe having a snack available around 7:30/8pm. But im not sure what it would be or if that would be in the budget. But for sure an 8:30/9 pm end time works for me because me and my family are the ones setting up & taking everything down. So hoping if we end at 9, we will be done cleaning up by 10:30 (im sure we will be tired) and I can come finish the last of it on sunday
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Devoted October 2019
Cathy · on July 12, 2019 at 7:49 PM
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Following. Same issue here.
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VIP October 2021
Monica · on July 12, 2019 at 8:46 PM
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Im leaning towards 2:30-9 but I keep going back and forth. What are you thinking of for your reception?
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on July 13, 2019 at 5:00 AM
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4p is kind of early for a dinner
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