NEED IDEAS!!! (trying not to panic)

Wow, this is horrible. How on earth did they do that!?

Regardless- I think you tell the venue the 1st party gets one hour, 3:30-4:30. Your guest arrive at 4:30, have them mingle somewhere and start by 5pm. It's not ideal, but half hour shouldn't feel too long.

Since people are super excited to get pictures with the bride and groom, could you make that 1/2 a mingle/meet & greet as people arrive and they can get pictures with you if they want (only works if you are doing a first look I suppose).

Also- I would ask you venue what THEY can do for you for that mingle time. This was their fault and they should be doing everything they can to make it right. Have them provide you with some light refreshments?

Again, sorry this is happening, it's so close!!!!

I agree with OGJaci, You could make a sort of cocktail hour" before hand in the reception area. See if you cam play some music, serve some snacks, and use it as a welcome area.

Do a greeting area with light refreshments. Plug in an ipod and have some tunes. Talk to the venue about what they're going to do to make up for the inconvenience (perhaps they pick up part of the tab for double booking?). Chapel or not, it's unacceptable and unprofessional to double book a timeslot.

I would offer drinks and snacks and make the venue pay for it since they made the mistake! I would be LIVID and make them fix this....

They should help you offer drinks and snacks.

Does the first wedding need 2 hours? Can they use it for the first hour?

Alcohol is not allowed without hiring a security guard, but i think i'm going to ask them if they'll make an exception given the circumstance. Either way i'm already pushing my budget. i REALLY don't want to serve food, and i don't want the guests to see me or FH, or for us to see each other before the ceremony. drinks and music seems like the least i can do.

Shit...not ideal. Asking guests to show up a half an hour to 45 minutes before the ceremony will absolutely piss some of them off if nothing is hosted.

Okay, pre-refreshments are becoming more and more common. I don't know if you can keep your guests outside for a while, but tell your DOC that it's a must (if you don't have one, get one -- NOW). Then, get thee to Sam's Club, Costco, and whatever other warehouse is in your town. Pick up tons of room temperature apps -- veggies will work -- stuff like bruschetta, veggies and dips, some fruit -- you get it, right? Ask your local grocery store to prepare bruschetta. Have your DOC bring in her staff and pass out those few apps and a glass of champagne to every guest. Silver trays make it look deliberate and elegant (even if they're plastic trays and glasses). Between the apps and the champagne, you should be able to pull this off. Whatever you do, don't allow any passage of time to look like you screwed up.

Then, relax.

That's not fair to the first bride not to get her 2 hours. I'm not sure about the fitting room situation working out either unless we share the room, which is awkward! ugh

The venue should 100% be offering to pay for light refreshments, since it's their screw-up.

I think as long as the food is light, you don't have to worry about people filling up before dinner. As a guest, I'd love to be able to have a glass of wine before the ceremony. Since your wedding is small, you might even consider joining your guests beforehand. I've been to weddings where the bride and groom mingle a bit before the ceremony and it's super nice and intimate.

Can you call your guests and tell them to arrive at 5pm?

I also want to say that I really hope the venue is FALLING OVER THEMSELVES with apologies and offers to help fix this. Totally unacceptable.

We're paying for a 4 COURSE MEAL at 6! and an open (wine and beer) BAR! they'll be stuffed!!! lol

I like the glass of champagne upon arrive, I would love that and comes off very classy They can fork up a few bottles of champagne, they owe it to you!!

They should be paying for the refreshments & light snacks. Plain and simple. I would talk to them and let them know how much stress this is causing you and how excited you where to get married at this lovely place but now it is starting to fell like a nightmare. And if they still dont offer make sure to make heavy hints on giving bad reviews and no longer recommending them. It dosnt need to be nasty but this was there mistake not yours, you should not be paying for it.

Light snacks like fruit and veggies are great and people will still be hungry by 6pm. I like the idea of people being about to get some pictures and maybe have your guest book out for people to sign? We are having our guest write us notes/advice/date night ideas for us to open on our 1yr anniversary this might be a good time to have something like that out for people to do.