7pm Wedding Ceremony?

I am having an evening wedding and I will be doing a cocktail style reception with Heavy hors d'oeuvre. A variety of alcohol will be available for my guest. 7pm is actually a good time for an evening wedding

Your wedding starting at 7pm seems a little late. That means people probably won't be served any food until around 8pmish. And as far as the food, I'm not sure that people will want to eat that late. The alcohol shouldn't be limited, your guests atleast deserve a variety of choices.

ETA: I apparently didn't read something correctly. My bad.

I'm having my wedding ceremony at 6. I don't think 7 is too late but I wouldn't go any later. Hope this is helpful!

Yes! @Future Mrs. Mash! Just the wedding reception. I just want it to have a party atmosphere! Not formally sitting down because our family loves a good bash! What other alcohol options would you suggest? (I don't drink so I am not as well versed on those types of things and I want to be informed when I meet with vendors!)

@Ashlee thank you! What time is your wedding and what hors d'oeuvres are you serving?

Glad i saw your correction @Future Mrs. Mash!

Do you feel 7pm is "too late"? or is that still an ok time to start?

@Alicya thanks! that was helpful! I didnt want to start too late so I may push it up 30 minutes!

So the reception is starting at 7 or the wedding is starting at 7? The way it's worded is confusing me a little bit.

As far as your alcohol, properly hosting means atleast offering free beer and wine. Maybe liquor, depending on your budget. We personally are only having beer and wine, but lots of it, and it's free for our guests. Which is important.

@Future Mrs. Mash! Just edited the question!

I meant the ceremony start at 7pm. Do you think that is too late or should I do 6:30pm?

Hi Keisha,

I think 7pm is just fine to start, especially with a cocktail style reception. That way, those who don't like to eat past 8pm won't feel obligated to eat a full meal that's being served. Usually cocktail style receptions include heavier hors d'oeurves that can be passed or stationary. I think sangria and maybe two kinds of beers is perfectly fine. Perhaps even a red and white wine. If you want a party type of reception with lots of mingling, I think cocktail style is great for that!

There are lots of things to consider when choosing your time. If you're having an outdoor ceremony like mine, timing and lighting is important. I think between 6pm-6:30 is a much better option, if that's possible for you. I only say that to keep in mind the older folks and children likely attending, and you don't want a reception to only last an hour, you want your guests to be able to eat, drink and enjoy themselves.

My wedding starts at 7pm. Still working on food options. I'm having a travel themed wedding so the food has to reflect the various destinations that my fiance and I have traveled.

My wedding is at 2 and reception is at 7

I would check with your venue. Many of them have restrictions that they have to shut down at 12. So if you wanted a longer party, start at 5 or 6, serve dinner at 6 or 7, then party from then until midnight. If you don't eat until 8, by the time people are up and dancing it'll be 9/9:30. Just a thought!

@Catti Labelle Thank you! So I should call it a cocktail style reception, not a "party reception" lol

Thanks for the drink options as well! I know a lot of my friends like beer so I may do the beer and then red and white wine. I think that will make everyone who wants to drink happy

@Future Mrs. Mash! My ceremony is going to be indoors but I didnt think about wanting to take pictures. This would mean I would need to do a first look the later I start the wedding. 6:30pm is definitely do-able! Especially since our grandparents and aunts will be attending. Thats a more considerate time!

@Ashlee that theme sounds awesome! Cant wait to hear more about it once you decide your food options!

@Katelina1 We have the venue from 6pm Friday night until 2am Sunday morning. I figure if we cut everything off by 12:30/1am that will give the vendors enough time to break down and get out of the building. The coordinator told me as long as guests arent in the building, the vendors have until 4am to finish breaking down and cleaning up. Do you think a 6:30 start would still be appropriate?

@Keisha, no problem! Yeah, I would add "cocktail reception to follow" on your invites. That's what I read anyway, lol. It's so that if there are guests who have never been to a wedding without a buffet or plated dinner, they know what to expect.

ETA: I've also seen this style of reception called "floating dinners" because the hors d'oeuvres will be passed around by servers.

You have your wedding date set on here, and it looks like it's a Saturday. If you have free run of the venue for the entire day, I would still suggest starting your ceremony sooner than 6:30. Starting sooner gives you more time to socialize, take pictures, get your first look, etc. Just my opinion, but totally your decision!

I also am not a fan of the "cocktail" type reception. I feel like a wedding means a full meal should be provided. Not sure if that's in your budget or not, but perhaps a thought.

Thanks @CattiLabelle! I'll definitely remember to put that on the invites!

@Future Mrs. Mash! Yes its a Saturday! Thats true. An earlier start gives me more time. With 65 guests. My budget allows me to do either/or!

One thing I would suggest is at least one drink other than Sangria - that is a popular drink and a lot of people will probably enjoy it but I know I am allergic to most sangria's and just in case one of your guests might have an obscure allergy, I would say to pick maybe another wine - it would also be kind to include one type of beer at the least because a lot of men prefer that over sangria/wine.

I think if its a cocktail only reception 7pm is a good time, but agree with PPs that you might want to bump it a little earlier so that older guests don't feel it's too late to attend, and that you have some light to do photos by if you do want some outdoor ones.

Oh no! Thanks for telling me about the allergy! I definitely dont want that problem or for someone not to have a drink because of being allergic! I definitely plan to add beer! I definitely will bump it up a bit for my older guests and do a cocktail reception! That sounds really fun!

A 7 pm hors d'oeurves wedding doesn't sound like a "formal" event to me. It sounds like a fun party, but I wouldn't expect people to show up in gowns and tuxedos for finger foods at 8 pm.