3 hour break between ceremony and reception... Will this be a huge problem?

The problem with a 5 hour wait between the ceremony and the reception is that a lot of your guests will end up only going to one or the other. From my experience with long gaps between, it's annoying to the guests to get dressed up and then have nothing to do in between.

I haven't read the responses but a 3 hour break is beyond rude IYAM

Lots of places will let you have an afternoon reception. I know just about every venue we looked at had daytime options, and they were usually cheaper.

I would be totally respectful of a large gap for religious reasons- although even in that case it's a pain, and the gap isn't due to "religion" it's b/c people want an evening reception. But I'd be less understanding of you having a large gap just b/c you liked a particular place. It's just a really long day.

Again, if you like that chapel enough to build your ceremony time around it, I think you need to build your entire day around it.

I think you've pretty much worked it out. It will be a lot less stressful having the afternoon receptions and,, yes it will save you a lot of money. Good luck and hope it turns out well.

I went to a wedding out of town in a small town and the couple had a huge break between the ceremony and reception. Wedding was at 1p, Reception at 6p. Being in an unfamiliar small town we went back to the hotel and also got some lunch because we were starving. We had to get undressed from our fancy clothes so they would not get wrinkled so when it came time to go back to the wedding we had to get ready all over again and were stuffed from lunch. In my honest opinion it's rude to do that to your guests, especially out of towners

It is kind of a problem I have been to weddings with a wait there is alot of people standing around not sure what to do next, especially if they live far enough to not want to go home, but not far enough to stay in a hotel, this is never the best idea if it can be avoided.

3 hours break... is good for photographer to take you around for nice creative photos...

I agree that 5 hours is too long to make your guest wait. If your ceremony isn't going to be very long, I would suggest starting the ceremony as late as you can within the block of time you have. You could have a cocktail hour for guests while you take pictures and then your reception could start around 4. My reception starts at 4 and we are treating it as any other reception with a dj, dinner, dancing, etc. I don't think you really need to change the type of reception you have just because it isn't technically "evening". I was at a 3pm reception a few months ago and we had dinner there. Worked out fine!

I respectfully but completely disagree with what most people are saying here...I am also having a gap and no one has raised any concerns. In my opinion, it is rude to miss half of your reception while you are off taking pictures. I HATE it when the bride and groom do that...the reception is where you are supposed to hang out with your family and friends, thank them for coming and sharing this moment with you, and be around to have fun. Not only do I think it's rude when couple's do that, but I think they are spending a fortune only to miss it themselves!

We are having the ceremony from 1 pm to 2 pm (Catholic) and then the reception from 5 pm to 10 pm. We are providing shuttle service from both hotels to and from the reception, and the first ride will probably pick up around 4:30-4:40. I have provided on our website a detailed list of things to do in the area, and 70% of our guests are from out of town, so will have hotel rooms anyway. No way am I missing a second!

I hear what you're saying @KatieBug but I think there are other ways to pictures done without having a gap or missing half of the reception.

We're taking as many pics prior to the ceremony as possible with our respective bridal parties. We MIGHT do a first look at church just before the ceremony, but the way we have it planned, we're staying separated all day, having no gap, and we're getting to our reception before cocktail hour ends. The only time we're leaving the reception is to take skyline photos on the roof, and that will be while cake is being served just after the dance floor opens. We'll be back before anybody notices we're gone.

I would never complain to a B&G about their plans even if I thought they were rude. Weddings are tricky to plan, I figure everybody tries their best. I just wouldn't subject guests to a 3 hour gap if it wasn't necessary. If gaps are more normal in your circle, people might feel differently.

@Kris s. - I understand your side, too, so I guess it is just a difference of opinion

Even though you're missing less than most people I've seen, I still wouldn't even want to miss that much. Gaps are pretty normal for us, and like I said, no one has minded in the slightest, so I'm good to go!

PS skyline photos on the roof sound way cool...have fun!

Thanks KatieBug!!! I'm so excited about that! We're getting married in a warehouse space close to downtown, so hopefully we have a clear night to capture that great Chicago skyline!

And yeah, I think the gap thing is regional. It's kind of like the cash bar debate. Not to bring that one up again! Potayto, potahto.

Whatever the case is... The time is what it is. The best thing to do is to let your guests know and let them know it is ok to just attend the reception.

Whatever the case is... The time is what it is. The best thing to do is to let your guests know and let them know it is ok to just attend the reception.

Thank you very much ladies!! I appreciate all of your input. It really helped me get my thoughts together.

I've gone to weddings where the wait time/gap in between was more than hrs, and it was a pain!!!!!!!! Never agaiN!

But it happens. Do what's best for you all

There are a TON of ideas you could do with the gap of time... a cultivated wedding planner could guide you through this, such as hiring a 'shuttle bus' to do a tour of Austin and having a particular drink in each of the venues, seeing the capital, or even giving them their own "scavenger hunt" that they receive upon leaving the ceremony that could give them insight into your and your husband's relationship/courtship, as well as a look at the great city (even if it's not Austin) that they've traveled to. I'd also suggest calling a place that may have some fun daytime entertainment/live music, asking about their specials, and telling your guests that the post ceremony celebration will be at " __________" and their presence is requested at your reception by 6:00pm or whatever it may be.

This isn't un-normnal, and something we get asked about all of the time... let me know if you need any more ideas and/or what you end up doing!