Afternoon Reception vs. Night Reception

Afternoon:

More casual feel, good for a garden party or beach style reception

Pro: Typically cheaper than evening

Pro: Less drinking (cheaper), Con: Less drinking (people may leave earlier)

Pro: More time for activities afterwards, Con: If you don't have plans after it might feel anticlimactic

Pro: Can do a unique reception style (tea/cakes, brunch, food trucks)

Con: Difficult for out of town guests if wedding is on a Friday

Evening:

Traditional, good for a ballroom or hotel reception

Pro (or Con): Has more of a "party" feel

Con: More expensive (people expect a full dinner spread typically)

Pro: More time to get ready for photos/for guests to travel into town

Pro (or Con): Dancing is more likely to happen

Pro: Can wear a ballgown/tux without feeling overdressed

As I wrote that I realize the afternoon Pro list seems to stack up a lot more, but I think it all depends on the style of wedding you're going for.

I prefer evening bc I feel like that is more of a laid back time.. I want to have the best PARTY of my life.. I dont feel like 1 pm would work for that envision... if that makes sense

The venue that I am having my wedding at, is just about the same whether you have it in the afternoon or in the evening. The only difference is the price per person and the minimum guest amount, so it's a party either way. The menu will be the same also. The ceremony is early so I am a little worried about getting everyone in the bridal party in early to start hair and make up etc. We are thinking about having an after party, after the reception for our friends who still want to hang out. Just wanted to know how other people felt about the time difference.

View Quoted Comment What do you mean the ceremony is early? Please don't have a gap between the ceremony and reception, so very very rude

If you have an afternoon wedding and a large bridal party you'll either end up paying more for more H&MU people or you'll have to wake up crazy early to start getting ready.

View Quoted Comment I never said anything about a gap between the ceremony and reception so please don’t assume and say that it’s rude. The reception would be right after the ceremony.

Our ceremony will be at 11, lunch following, done by 3pm. We are still serving drinks, it will have a more chill vibe but we want that. No dancing. The biggest thing, for me, is finding a salon that opens at 8am so I can get Hair and Makeup done.

Limited time for pictures but we are okay with that - I don't want a ton of photos.

View Quoted Comment The venue is giving us the option to come in at 6:30am which is very early.

View Quoted Comment I'm confused by your op then. Why are you looking for pros and cons if you've already made a (very good) choice?

View Quoted Comment That’s my issue as well. I will most likely have someone come to me if we go to the venue early in the morning.

View Quoted Comment I just wanted pros and cons because we can still have it at night if we wanted to. Just to see what other brides think.

Day: Less expensive all the way around. Lunch is cheaper, alcohol is WAY less. More casual usually. Less time if you have it at a venue...you have to get out before the PM weddings come in, unless you luck out with a one wedding a day place.

Night: More expensive...more fun, people let their hair down. Usually more elegant with an evening affair.

There are a ton of variables based on your budget, location and style.

Personally I prefer evening but that is just me. I am not a fan of early weddings.

I'm still undecided if I want afternoon or evening...it does have to do with price and how many people you have to guarantee. Having an after party seems pretty cool too cause you can still have whoever wants to join you. I like evening also cause it is more traditional. But again you have to guarantee. Oyyy! I need help! I don't know what to do.