Awkward gap between ceremony and reception, ideas for guests to do in that time...

At my wedding we don't have a gap, but I have been to a bunch that do. It gave me a chance for a nap (depending on how long the gap was) and I could freshen up and change clothes if need be. I am sure your guests can keep themselves busy for a few hours.

We have a gap, but both ceremony and reception are at a museum. I figured ppl can just tour the museum as many people have never been there

Ok awesome, that's helps ladies! Thanks

I find that a gap that size is really awkward. You're talking about 2.5 hours.....a lot of guests probably will not go to the church.......

No point in worrying about it unless you want to add an hors d'oeuvre hour or so,or do a punch/finger sandwiches reception at the church.

If I was one of your guests and was aware of that gap, I would skip your ceremony and just go to your reception. Especially with a 30 minute drive between the two.

If I didn't know there was that large a gap beforehand, I'd be upset. That's time I can't get back that I could be doing other things I need to do.

If you can't or won't change your timing, I wouldn't worry about it and just expect to have fewer guests at your ceremony.

I was invited to a wedding that started at 10am and the reception wasn't until 7pm! We didn't go to the ceremony but mines not that bad lol.

@reenski- the guests will be included in the pictures individually after the ceremony so that will take up more time as well

Yeah, there was a bride here that had a large gap like that, but starting even earlier in the morning. We advised against it, now I believe she's having a vow renewal do-over.

Whether or not your gap is "that bad," it's a large gap. At least let people know that it's there so they can decide whether or not to attend the ceremony -- if you aren't entertaining or feeding the people in that time, it's wasted time.

Are you able to change your timing at all? Or do any kind of finger foods/cocktail hour in between?

It will say the time in the invite and on the website so the guests will know plenty ahead of time.

I cannot change the time of the reception or do a cocktail hour, unfortunately the venue does not do them.

Don't rely on the website to get the word out -- fewer people look at them than we'd like to think.

Do guests know beforehand that you want them in individual pictures? That still sounds like some wait around for guests and then still have a 1.5-2 hour gap with nothing to do or eat.

Like I said, if you can't or won't change the timing of anything, just be prepared for the possibility of fewer guests at the ceremony. If you'll be off taking pictures, you wouldn't really be able to set up anything for guests to do anyway.

It's also August....it's going to be, um, hot.

Can the ceremony be later?

It's also August....it's going to be, um, hot.

Can the ceremony be later?

Sorry to say, that sounds awful . . . waiting around forever for your "individual picture" and then waiting around MORE to drive 30 minutes to the reception site and wait yet again? Can you set up games for guests who arrive at the reception venue early? If it's cool enough and your wedding isn't very formal, you could outdoor games like corn hole, horseshoes, and croquette. If you need to keep it indoors or your guests will be in formal attire, you could do Jenga, ping pong, pool, bananagrams- type games? It's good that you're thinking about things for your guests to do, because I think you should make some attempt at entertaining them for the gap. It would suck to get dressed for the ceremony, then have to change so you can do something else for 2 hours, then change back.

I'd do the individual pix at the reception. Just saying.....

@celia- no I can't change the time, it's set in stone.

@fluffy- my ceremony is in a public park in a palm tree greenhouse that's well air conditioned. I have that reserved from 2-3 and then the next wedding happens so I don't think I want all of my guests still there lingering when there will be another wedding about to happen. Or they might be setting it up for the night, I'm not sure. I wouldn't mind a small gap...to say that sounds awful is pretty extreme, just saying.

Anywho, if not everyone shows up to the ceremony so be it, done stressing about it

How many guests are we talking about? There is a difference between waiting around 2 hours with the same people or waiting around where there are 300 people. There are definitely things you can go in between to keep guests entertained. Photobooths and scavenger hunts are usually a good way I have seen people pass the time. If guests already know there is going to be such a gap they may choose to take a scenic route to the reception or do something else in between. Talk with your DJ (if you have one) for suggestions they generally can guide you through different activities they can lead. Some can given as far as teaching dance lessons to your guests.

130-150 people

That's what sucks about waiting to see each other before the wedding....I usually require 45-60 minutes for bride and groom, and formals. Mileage may vary.

Solutions: Go more journalistic in style, therefore cutting down formal group time, alleviating some of that awkward lull between. Or Pose with your aunt and uncle, instead of them separately and together. Without entertainment and a bar, it may be a tough act to follow for guests to be patient. Which sucks, but it's how people are.

I have a gap as well, and I've decided that we can't always make everyone happy. The people that love you and want to be there for your special day will show, no matter the gap. Our ceremony is at 1pm at a winery. That was my only option, because the live music starts at 2pm. We're doing cocktails at 5p and entrance/dinner at 6pm. Our venues are about 20 minutes apart. I am going to give suggestions to hang at the winery and listen to music, a few restaurants/bars, parks, etc. In the end, it's your day and those that love you will be there! Good luck!

Well, since nothing can be changed I really think there needs to be something for them to do.

Honestly, I would leave.

I hate the argument "people that love you and want to be there will show." It's used a lot but I'm sorry, just because someone loves you isn't an excuse to inconvenience them and not take your guests into consideration. I love a lot of my family and close friends but that doesn't mean that I want to (or even will in some circumstances) wait around during a 3 hour gap.

Other than that Reenski basically expressed my feelings perfectly on the subject.