Cocktail Reception Start time

I think it sounds great but then again I am biased because it's the exact same thing I am doing lol. What time are you thinking of cutting cake?

My venue wants me to do it at 9:30 so they have time to serve

Your timeline seems fine to me! I'd consider putting cocktail reception on the invitation just in case people don't check the website. Are you having dessert or no?

ETA: never mind the dessert question

I am doing it at 9:30 too, not for cutting purposes because I am having donuts, but because some of the older folks might want to leave shortly after since it will be late for them.

In thinking about timing and alcohol sloshing in my stomach... What about ceremony at 7pm ("Cocktail reception to follow"), passed apps starting at 7:30, stations open from 8:30-10:30, cake afterwards?

Don't forget seats for every butt. Cocktail style events work well for corporate stuff when it's only 1 or 2 hours, but 7pm to midnight without sitting (or competing with the elderly/infirm for a few seats) isn't too fun. Your stations sound really good!

Sounds good to me

@privateuser I don't recall her saying anything about not having seating, where did you read that?

Yes seats for every butt is something I learned from lurking on WW.

@S&P I on my invitation after the ceremony information I wrote "Cocktails, Hors d' oeuvre's, and Dancing to follow" since i agree that not everyone will check websites. On my website I also listed several options of good restaurants nearby in case people are from out of town or want to make a night of it while they are already dressed up by having dinner out and about before the wedding.

I think it sounds like a great evening but I'm wondering how you'll word this on the invitation--will you just say the ceremony starts at 7:30? And have the bar open during the "prelude" so people can have drinks as they arrive? Or will you say drinks at 7, ceremony at 7:30?

I think you timeline works. My only suggestion would maybe do passed apps right at 7 when the bar opens, then close for the ceremony and begin again after the ceremony. That way people have some food to go with their drinks.

All great ideas to consider

I wouldn't waste 30 minutes of the open bar before the ceremony, so I'd agree - ceremony at 7, then open the bar and do passed apps for maybe an hour and then open the stations. I say an hour because I feel like passed apps take foreverrrrr to just get 1 or 2.

Will there be any food after the stations close (10:30-midnight on your current timeline)?

Alternately, I might say do ceremony, open the bar/food stations, and then do the passed apps after the stations while people are mingling/dancing so they can just step off and get a bite if they want one (unless you're planning on the passed apps first because you'll be taking pictures - not sure from your post)

I'm leaning toward ditching bar before ceremony based on the responses.

We're doing a first look and pre-ceremony pictures.

No food after 10:30. I would love to do a late night pizza delivery but that's dependent on the budget right now.

@Sqwiggy instead of doing open bar before ceremony you could always have a server greet your guests as they walk in with a glass of champagne (and strawberries if you have the budget) and that way they wont have multiple drinks or heavy liquors before full food is served.

@lovebubbles great idea. We do have champagne with our package. We're not doing traditional toast so wasn't sure when to fit that in. We are just jointly thanking our guest instead of BM/MOH toast.

Make sure your Bridal Party gets plenty of food through out the day! They'll be busy until well after the ceremony, so they likely won't eat until that 8:30 mark. My poor husband has been a starving groomsman so many times! Its amazing that no one thinks to order those poor guys sandwhiches or something while they're getting ready. I know us girls eat all day Lol

Ceremony at 7 Wait to open bar until after. You don't want guests bringing their drinks to their ceremony seats. The first "event" should be the wedding. They are usually short and so 7:30 do apps/drinks.

Is there a reason you can't start until 7:00? It seems sort of late to me, since where I am dinners are typically around 6.

We do not have a bridal party. But whichever of my friends want to hang out with me before we will have food in my room.

I thought later would be more appropriate since I'm not doing a formal sit down meal. I can pick whatever time I want. All in the same venue.

Correction: no formal plated meal there will be seats