Cocktail hour?

I've never been to a wedding without a cocktail hour. Would you just go straight from the reception into dinner?

I've only been to a couple of weddings without cocktail hour,and those are usually brunch weddings or very, very small groups.

We are getting married at 1. Reception doesn't start until 6. We have a large guest list. Approximately 250.

Oh dear. Bigger issues than the cocktail hour. Gaps are really rude. Can you start at 3, have a cocktail hour, and then reception with no gap?

I had a cocktail hour for mines and it was great! My husband is part german so we had sausages as pass tray appetizers with mustard. We decided to have it for two reasons; so our guests can enjoy the environment and food, and two, so we can take photos with the wedding party. I say go for it, it doesn't hurt to spend more time with loved ones.

Ah yeah that's a lot of time if you start at 1 =/

It's an hour ceremony. So, the gap is 4 hours. 1:00 is the latest ceremony time my church offers. Our parents will body be hosting at their homes in between to give guests some place to go. Honestly, where we live, I have never gone to a wedding that didn't have a 3 or 4 hour gap so I didn't know this was so rude to the guest. Would it help to do the cocktail hour at 5 and then the reception start at 6?

Well if you have a 5 hour gap then you shouldn't have a cocktail hour too.

However, you most definitely shouldn't have a 5 hour gap at all. It should be like a one hour gap max, and that "gap" should be cocktail hour.

Starting it at 5 is better than 6. Is there not a way to start the cocktail hour/reception earlier than 5?

I can push the ceremony back to 1:30 at the latest. I have a thing with odd number times and like things to start at "on the hour" times but if this is more acceptable for the guests I can put my own OCD aside. I'm not trying to be a rude host to my guests.

Your parents hosting between IS your cocktail hour....no need for more...you could just extend the reception if you choose more time with guests...

We could start the cocktail hour/recpetion earlier but then I feel like dinner is served too early and the night ends too early and people won't enjoy the drinks and dancing as much.

It is helpful that your parents are hosting your guests in between so at least there is something. I would suggest pushing the ceremony back to 1:30, and starting the reception at 5 if at all possible. It's still a gap, but if you're hosting them in between and starting things as early as you can then it isn't as bad.

Have a cocktail hour.

When you have an event and invite guests, you're responsible for them from the start of the ceremony until the end of the reception. What are these people going to do for four hours sitting at your parent's place?

The better plan would be to start the reception earlier, like at 4. At least then it's only a two 1/2 hour gap, which is still a really long time to sit at your parent's house.

I'm going home if there is a three hour gap. That's just bad planning. OP, if you start that early the whole timeline has to move up. Yes, your party will be over earlier. That's a choice you have to make. But people will actually attend your party instead of just bailing. If this is a Catholic related issue (which is the only time I have ever seen people suggest a timeline like this) have your ceremony as late as possible, then go have a 90 minute cocktail hour. Do your dances. Have dinner. Dance. Done. If that means you are done by 9, go have an unhosted (or hosted if you want) after party. Every Catholic wedding I have been to is like that. No gaps, end early, after party for anyone who feels like continuing.

If I did the ceremony at 1:30, which is an hour, and the cocktail hour at 5 that is only a 2.5 hour gap. I understand this might limit the number of guests we get that attend both but I honestly don't know what else to do. Which is why I am here. Not trying to sound like I'm ignorant. Just looking for advice. So thank you all for the words of wisdom.

AlwaysMrs, yes it is due to being a Catholic ceremony. Thank you for your suggestion.

Honestly, the gap could be eliminated if you changed the ceremony location, right?

AlwaysMs. had a good timeline for Catholic ceremonies.