Ceremony Transition

Are you having a cocktail hour? We are having our ceremony and reception in the same place and there is an area for cocktail hour. We will probably hide out in the bridal suite too before bridal party is announced.

Are you having a cocktail hour? Even if you don’t need the time for photos, you may want to designate 30 minutes or so for you and your new spouse to spend some alone time together and for your guests to mingle, get drinks, and find their seats.

A cocktail hour will be the easiest and most seamless way to transition from ceremony to reception. If your venue offers an outdoor space for your guests to venture out on, that is another option. That way they are not viewing the flip.

I've been to a few weddings (without the pre-reception entrance music) where the the tables were already set up for the reception with a pathway for the bride to make her entrance to the ceremony and it flowed right into dinner with no problem. After dinner people can mingle, dance, etc.

I’m with Jana on this. Most people transition into the ceremony to reception with ease because they are expecting to eat after the ceremony.

Your venue coordinator should be your best resource for this. How does your venue usually transition?

Most people are expecting a cocktail hour/reception right after, so your officiant can always announce you.