Afternoon Wedding - Reception Advice

1. Directly after the ceremony, unless you plan on a cocktail hour. The weddings I've been to (including ceremony) have been 4-6 hours long.
2. If you want to, go for it! If not, I think heavy appetizers is fine, or even a cake reception. I've heard heavy appetizers end up being just as expensive though.
3. I still would, if it's in your budget. You could also consider a hosted bar, so you pay by drink instead of a flat fee for full open, if you think your guests will drink less due to the time.
4. I think picking a hotel with a restaurant and bar is a great idea. You could do an informal after party even if they had these. But people will want to eat dinner, so if you have an after party right after I'd take into account people need a full meal.
5. Yes, if you don't do a "first look" prior to the ceremony then usually family & wedding party stay after the ceremony for pictures. This is usually when cocktail hour is for the other guests.

Hi Genevieve! How long do you think your ceremony will last? I would say to start the reception shortly afterwards and make it a lunch reception! I would say yes still to an open bar, even though it's in the afternoon I still think it's nice for the guests! I would say end time anywhere between 4 and 5 PM. If you have it in your budget and think you'll have the energy to keep the party going afterwards then go for it! But, I don't think it's necessary and you can always double check about the hotel bar! You could either takes pictures before the ceremony or after depending on how long you want the gap to be. If you take photos after, then I would host a cocktail hour for the guests so they can have some appetizers while they wait!

You should start the reception immediately after the ceremony ends, minus the driving time to get from one location to the other. Gaps are rude and your guests should be hosted continuously from the time they arrive at the ceremony til the end of the reception. Since your ceremony starts at noon you aren't between meal times but actually straddling lunch time and should serve a full meal. You should serve some kind of alcohol, but open versus limited bar (e.g. beer and wine only) is up to you. Afterparty or not is also up to you and your preference.

Yes, wedding parties and immediate family usually go take pictures after the ceremony. This is during the cocktail hour part of the reception, and the other guests are hosted with food and drink while the pictures are being taken. That's the primary purpose of a cocktail hour.