7:30 Reception??

I think it will be fine just make it clear to your guests of the time frames and type of food. That way they can have a meal or snack before hand. Include with the invite something along the lines of ceremony 6 pm tour at 7 pm and reception with hor dourves at 7:30 pm.

If your wedding starts at 5 pm (assuming) and they don't eat hor dourves until 7:30 pm they may be upset if they were expecting a dinner.

That would work in my world. If you did a buffet, or heavy appetizers at 7:30, all should be great. State the type of event on your invitations.

So stressed out about it! I know people will be upset with the late time but I know others will be ok and enjoy the party and amazing location till 12:30 with us.

I'm not going to settle for a venue because of timing.

I hate being stressed over money!!!!!!!!

I think that would be fine, just be sure to mention in your invites that the reception will include heavy hor dourves or whatever you decide on so that the guests come with any empty stomach expecting a full course meal.

I love your idea for them to get a tour savannah! I'm sure guests will love that!

My concern is would you be able to get in to do any decorating? Would your florist be able to set up centerpieces, etc?

The venue is not available until 7:30 for the party... does that include cocktail hour, or what?

I'm not against a 7:30 start time for a recpetion- but where would the ceremony and cocktail hour be? Will it be too dark for pictures? You don't want guests sitting around for a few hours as it gets dark, having no where to go and nothing to eat, etc.

My main concern would be set up- simple things, like the guest book, or personal pictures.

I think that's fine. My reception is also starting at 7:30. We have ceremony start time at 5:30 and cocktails at 6:30.

Setup and decorating are not a concern. There is a bride having a day thing at the venue before me and hers ends at 4:30. The place has a mandatory 3 hour turnover to make sure that everything is perfect. They do all the setting up, flowers, etc.... I asked if I could cut that 3 hour time down and come in at 6:30 but they were strict about it.

Ceremony is going to be at a historic square around 5 or so. In september it will be light out for quite a while so that is not an issue. I have heard that the trolley company lets you bring coolers of beverages for people while they are being transported to the venue, which will also include a mini tour of the area. So I think while we are doing pictures they will fully enjoy the transportation and be ready for 7:30....HOPEFULLY it works out that way!

Plus, since many of the guests have not been to savananh this will give them an opportunity to enjoy the city a little longer during the day before my wedding.

First I LOVE the transportation idea! Reminds me of a trolley! I think what you want to do for food is fine. We are just having picnic food type deal because otherwise we couldn't afford it unless we cut back on guest. I've already cut out a lot.

I would treat the trolley tour as the cocktail hour - put coolers of beverages aboard, and snacks if you can. (Otherwise, if people are tooling around Savannah for an hour or two with alcoholic beverages, no food, in Southern heat...they are going to be PLASTERED by the time they get to your reception.) Call it the "Cocktail Hour on Wheels" or something like that. Then, when the venue opens at 7:30, they can go straight to the buffet and start dinner.

I would advise serving a full meal if at all possible - there's just no way someone can have a snack or a light meal before 5, and not be ravenous at 12:30 if they haven't been given a proper dinner. Especially if there is alcohol involved. I know I'd be chewing my own arm off from hunger, or leaving early to get pizza.

Only thing that would concern me is the wait time between your ceremony and reception because you will notice people will start to leave early if they have to wait all that time and they're not going to get a full meal. It will seem like time flies for you, but for the guests they will have been hanging around already for 2 1/2 hours before the reception even begins, so say if they decide to stay for 4 hours total, they'll leave at 9pm. I noticed this with my SILs wedding because she had a gap like this. I didn't have the gap and I noticed I had more time with people.

My ceremony was at 5:45 on a Friday evening. HDs were served from 6:30 to 7:30 and then a buffet dinner. I had the same concern and was going to do heavy hds, but then figured out the price on the buffet dinner which included hds and it ended up being cheaper! Also we had a three hour open wine and beer bar so I wanted people to eat. I just let everyone know and put the timing on my website. worked out great, people loved it and had absolutely no complaints!

The trolley part sounds unique and absolutely fun! It'll be something for all to remember. SHould also be enough time fo you to get pics done then head straight to reception. Maybe someone can call you on cell as the tour progresses for timing updates! Good luck sounds marvelous!!

Well it seems to ms like it would work out just fine. I'm thinking because of the time people will expect dinner to be served. I think the cocktail/tour ride was an excellent idea. You could have light refreshments before dinner. Sometimes Hors d'oeuvres can be more expensive than a meal.

I think if you do something in the trolley the timing may work out.