Big time gap between ceremony and reception...

Can you move the reception up so it starts right after the ceremony?

Our ceremony is at 1pm and will probably last about an hour or so and our reception cocktail hour will start at 5pm. Since my mom's house is two miles from the church and about 7 from the reception, she will be hosting a joint open house with FH's parents for both sides of the family to give guests a place to go during that time

That's a big gap... How far is the drive from the church to where you're having the reception?

Are you having a lot of out of town guest? Is most people within the area, so they can possibly go back home after the ceremony? You also have to consider what they will do within that time span. Having such a big gap may deter guest from attending the ceremony.

That's wayyyyyy too long, it's common to need an hour with the photographer in between while guests enjoy cocktail hour, any way to move the ceremony up or the reception back oh, maybe 2 hours?

Can't move the reception time up and we don't really want to because we are happy with it being 6-12. I guess if anything once it gets closer I can check with the church (before we send out invites) to see if there's a chance to have the ceremony later.

I know with a big gap like that it could mean less people at the ceremony, which we already talked about and we're fine with that. It's a mixture of people who live here and some from out of town but for the out of towners we are going to reserve hotels that are near the venue, like 5 min drive away maybe.

I like that idea Maltese_by _future_marriage! My parents don't live too far from both places. I'll have to see what they think.

I have the same issue - My ceremony is at 1:30 (its the latest the Church will allow us to have it) and the cocktail hour starts at 6.

Many people are going to be staying at the hotel - which is where the reception is at. They'll be able to go to the hotel, check in, relax, before the cocktail hour. The large gap is quite common in my family, I've never been to a wedding at a church without one, so if their not staying at the hotel, many people will go to the Church in more casual clothing, and then go back home in between to hang out and change into more reception like attire. If they don't go to the ceremony, I understand that too. There's really nothing I could have done to avoid it.

I honestly don't understand the gap....just have an afternoon reception! If it's going to really inconvenience your guests I don't think it's fair to have a huge gap.

Ah the dreaded gap thread...get ready for some very strong opinions! It's hard when you just don't have much of a choice due to church schedules. Unless you can change churches to one with a later service time (we found a 4pm, reception at 6) you're pretty much stuck. It's not the end of the world but having a list of things to do will help those out of town guests. Some friends took the opportunity this wkd (3 hr gap) to change cars, freshen up and have a drink at an intriguing bar before heading to the reception. Most people are understanding and self-sufficient with a little guidance.

@Lauren....just like LJ411, many catholic churches will only perform wedding ceremonies at certain times on certain days of the week. Its not so easy as just telling them what time we would like the ceremony to begin and have to go with the times that are dictated.

Just like certain reception venues have a time that they do NOT allow receptions to start before. Ours, as a private country club, doesn't allow it before 5pm and the vendors can't arrive before 3 in order to accommodate all the members wishing to use the grounds that morning

I dislike gaps since I attended one years ago at a cousin's where the ceremony and reception were not even close to each other. One of my #1 priorities planning this thing was putting my guests' convenience first.

The gap is large, but if you're okay with it, I'd just suggest having a place for the guests to mingle. Nothing fancy

That makes sense @maltese. My church told us we had to do it before 2, and the reception venue I wanted was too expensive for evening. So we scrapped the church and are doing an afternoon wedding/ reception at the same spot. I know that's not an option for everyone, and I like your idea of your mom hosting people. So, to OP, is that an option for you? That would be a nice gesture

You are correct in that this is not as common as it used to be. But that doesn't mean it's insurmountable--or odd. When I was a kid, all the Catholic weddings had a huge gap in between ceremony and reception. While it would be lovely if you or your parents are willing to host something in between, don't fret if it's not possible or affordable. Ads long as your guests know beforehand, they can make arrangements to keep themselves entertained.

Thanks ladies! I have been to weddings with a time gap before and we would simply just go home and relax. I mean my reception will be full of dancing so I don't want anybody to be too tired

I like the idea of people hanging out at the hotel bar! My venue isn't at the hotel but at least people will be near their rooms if they need to freshen up before the party

My church wanted me to do the ceremony in the morning hours like 11 or 12! I was able to work with them and they agreed to 2. My reception will start at 4:30 with an hour for cocktails and then last up to 9:30. I was also worried about the gap but the drive from the ceremony to the venue is about 30 minutes and there is a place at the venue they can wait until if they get there a little early.

We had a small gap (about an hour), but most of our guests lived between the two venues. Most people took the hour gap and used it to freshen up for the more formal reception. Our ceremony began at 2:30, but all our guests were at the chapel till 4PM. We had an informal cocktail hour which began at 5PM. Reception began at 6PM. We had 100% attendance at both the ceremony and the reception.

Ignoring the gap issue and revisiting your original question, if you are asking people to arrive at the reception at 6 and dinner won't be served until 7, I think you should have cocktail hour. People will be getting hungry by 6 and will be bored in that hour.

Between the ceremony and our actual dinner time, there is a 4 hour gap. We're having a cocktail hour 1/2 with plenty of food & drinks plus a strolling magician and music. The reason for it is, we didn't want to spend money on 3 tent installations so we opted for just two, one being for both ceremony and reception and the other setup for cocktails. So while guests are mingling, they decorators team will be setting up for the reception. Hopefully it doesn't take more than 2 1/2 hours!

I have your same schedule. Ceremony at 2 , reception at 6. We are serving dinner at 6:15, so doors will open at 5:30 to allow people to start mingling in.

Since we are serving dinner so soon after the reception starts, we opted not to have appetizers.

Our ceremony programs will have a list of different ideas of what to do between ceremony and reception.

Don't worry about what is normal on WW- it is VERY common in my area to have the big gap. Most people expect it and just either head back home/to their hotel to relax, check out a local sight, or head to a local lounge to socialize with a few other guests. It's really not a big deal!

My Ceremony is at 2:30, and my cocktail hour does not begin until 6:00. It is about a 40 minute drive in between the church and the reception hall.

Even with the drive, it leaves over an hour for my guests to mingle by themselves. We are going to invite people at the church back to my parent's house, but frankly, I am not worried about it. This day is about you and your FH. If you are happy with the time, then that's all that really matters :-)