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Dedicated September 2020

Cocktail hour activities with a long break

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Furure Mrs., on February 24, 2020 at 4:33 PM

So I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not and am looking for opinions. We will be having a long break between our ceremony and reception (3 hours) and right now I'm trying to think of ways to make this suck less for our guests. Our whole wedding is at the same venue (on a farm), and we will have food, drinks, and lawn games. I was also thinking of hiring someone to come out and do an hour or so line-dancing lesson for those who wish to take part. I know not everyone would be into it, but I'm hoping some would be. Any opinions on whether or not this would be worth it? If not, do you have any other suggestions for things to have for our guests to do during this break?

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Super May 2021
Pia · on February 25, 2020 at 12:33 AM
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3 hours is a very long time to wait for the reception. Is there any way of cutting that time down? No matter what entertainment is there too long to have your guest wait. Just my suggestion. Also what time is the wedding and reception?
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VIP January 2020
Vicky · on February 25, 2020 at 1:16 AM
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100% this. Your photographer is giving you bad advice.
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Devoted October 2021
Tori · on February 25, 2020 at 10:20 AM
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As others have said, if you're not doing a first look, try and do pictures before. I've worked weddings that were very open as well and they were able to get all the bridal party pictures, besides the group, done before the ceremony. Guests don't start arriving until 30 minutes-an hour (at max) before the ceremony. Do you know what time you'll be getting in your dress?
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Dedicated September 2020
Furure Mrs. · on February 25, 2020 at 10:34 AM
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My photographer said she would arrive an hour before the ceremony to take a few pictures getting into my dress and doing a first look with my dad. I could ask her to come a bit earlier, but probably not more than half an hour. I would love to knock some of the bridal party and family photos out of the way before the ceremony, but there honestly isn't a place to take them where FH and I wouldn't be able to see each other and also be in the same place as where the ceremony will be.
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Expert May 2021
Chantal · on February 25, 2020 at 11:05 AM
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Okay, so you've heard this, and I agree that 3 hours is too long.
BUT for the sake of answering your question, have you thought about having a little competition or tournament with the lawn games for a prize? You can have someone organize it who isn't a family member/in charge of pictures, and have people compete. Or it could just be a normal wedding game (how much do you know about the groom and the bride) for different prizes (they don't have to be anything fancy, just enough to get people interested).
Best of luck to you!
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Dedicated September 2020
Furure Mrs. · on February 25, 2020 at 11:22 AM
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Oh, we hadn't thought about that. I really like the idea of having a prize involved! Thanks!
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