Awkward Closing Time for Reception Venue

I think you’ll be fine since it’ll be a Sunday! I would have the music stop by 8:00, which most people should take as a cue to leave. You could also do an exit as the new couple and people should leave pretty quickly after that!

Thanks for the advice! Forgot to mention that the wedding is the Sunday before Labor Day, so people will have the next day off . Kind of counting on the fact that most of my guests are older relatives and not really party people!

Our reception is ending at 8 due to the venue as well. So far I've put a general timeline on our wedding website and included that the sendoff will be at 8pm to give people a heads up which hopefully will make it less awkward.


In addition to having the music stop/have a send off, you could consider letting people know plans for continuing to hang out elsewhere for those that do want to keep the party going.

Are you or your guests interested in any kind of after party somewhere nearby? If your feel it’s too early to stop the celebration on a holiday weekend, maybe you can all meet up a a hotel bar nearby after the park portion of the event concludes. Might be helpful to provide shuttle buses though if everyone’s already been partying a little bit. 🍻

By starting earlier you should be fine. Wrap the music up by 8:00 and do your exit shortly after that and everyone will leave.

Our wedding is on a Sunday from 3-8 with dinner at 5, should be just the right amount of time

I agree with all of the previous comments! You have so many options here, and 5 hours is a great amount of time for the event!

Think about what YOU want to do for the big day...will you be ready to call it a night between 8-9pm and want some alone time to relax with your new husband or do you want to keep the party going? I'm not familiar with the area but if there is a favorite bar nearby or downtown area, arrange a party bus or several ubers to be outside the venue around the end of the event and continue the party elsewhere - let guests know in advance that there will be after party options! If you are ready to call it a night, try and plan a fun "grand exit" with your husband. This is a great way to signal that the event is over without just flipping on all the lights and shoo'ing guests out the door! Good luck

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Thanks for all of the replies! I no longer feel that it is super strange to end a wedding at 8pm. I think it's a good idea to go to a bar afterwards (there are a few good options nearby), just depends on how much energy I'll have... thanks again!