Early ceremony...when do you do the reception?

I think that depends on if the guests have the hotel or something nearby. If you are in the middle of nowhere and there is a giant gap, guests might be annoyed by that, but if you offer things to do, there shouldn’t be an issue

I think cocktail hour is supposed to start right after the ceremony is over.

We would have hotels nearby since the venue is in a populated area. I just don’t want our reception to end super early and have it be awkward

View Quoted Comment This absolutely. Gaps are terrible unless there is a 15-20 min drive from the ceremony to the reception. If your ceremony is only 30 min or so, can you push it back so dinner will be served anywhere 5:30-6:30 (depending on your crowd)?

Yes gaps are rude and very inconvenient for your guests. Why would your reception end at an awkward time? I got married Christmas weekend last year and my ceremony was at 3 p.m. This was my timeline:

9-12:30 Getting ready in bridal suite, breakfast and lunch served
12:30-1 Photographer arrives for detail and getting ready pics
1-1:30 First look pics
1:30-2:45 Wedding party and VIP pics
3-4 Ceremony
4:15-5:45 Cocktail hour
6-7:30 Dinner
7:30 Bridesmaid toast
7:45 Cake cutting
7:55 First dance
8 Dance floor open, photo booth open
8:30 Cake served
9 Smores around the fire pit
10 Grilled cheese sandwiches
11 Last dance, end of reception

Gaps are a no no!

Mine is nov 24 and we are doing a 3pm ceremony with photos and cocktail hour from 3:30-4:30. The sun will set by 5. Reception is 4:30-8. It’s also a Sunday so we wanted to be done earlier.

The time gap remotely acceptable is the Catholic gap and even then 2 hours is a lot. You can certainly have your gap, but it's likely most won't go to your ceremony and will only show up for the reception.

If you are ok with doing a first look, that is one option, or find a photographer who takes really great evening photos if you're set on having them done outside.

I find gaps acceptable. Not everything in life is going to be convenient. It is not the end of the world or going to ruin your wedding day if you are having a gap. Just make sure to put the times on your invitations.

If you’re going to have a gap, I think you’ll just need to be prepared that many people will choose to go to either the ceremony or reception - not both. Like some other posters mentioned, having the venue close to hotels and what not is fine, but it’s still a bit inconvenient to go back and forth. I think your best bet would be to get your first look and wedding party photos done before the ceremony afterwards you’ll only need to worry about family photos. However, with all this being said, it is your wedding, your most favorite people will attend both ceremony and reception because they love you, and it will be fabulous no matter what you choose to do.

View Quoted Comment The Catholic gap isn't an actual thing. I know people occasionally have a gap when they have a church wedding, but it is completely unnecessary and frankly rude. The gap is a rude thing not a faith based one.

I attended a church wedding with a gap years ago. My husband and I went home and enjoyed a quiet house, the kids were with grandparents. We seriously talked about skipping the reception and ordering a pizza to eat in bed. We accepted the reality that there were meals waiting for us, got up, got dressed, I had to redo my hair, and went to to reception. I'd say a good third of the guests, based on empty seats, didn't go to the reception or showed up really late. I guess that they got busy doing other things and just couldn't be bothered.

If your ceremony and reception are in different spots (ex. Church then ballroom) then I think that gap is acceptable and most weddings with 2 different venues usually have that. If they are at the same location, then I would push your ceremony back a little bit to be closer to the cocktail hour start time

View Quoted Comment It's very much a thing where I am from. I've been to many Catholic weddings where there have been 1-2 hour gaps between the ceremony and reception. But like I said, if the OP chooses to have a gap, she should realize that many people will choose to skip the ceremony. Or they may not show up to the reception.

View Quoted Comment It's not a Catholic thing. It's not some sort of faith requirement. It's a rude people thing. I've been to plenty of Catholic weddings in multiple states. Only the one had the gap. Others weren't rude. I'm sorry that the people in your area are rude to their guests.

We’re having a 2:30 ceremony in 3 weeks.
Ceremony over at 3
cocktal hr at 3:45, 25-30 min drive to the venue and I figure people will linger at the church a bit.
Reception start at 5
dinner aroun 515
reception end at 9
no need for a gap and 9 is plenty late!

My cousin's wedding started at 2pm and we didn't leave until 10pm. Even when we left, people were still dancing! I don't think the end time is a huge deal, just enjoy your day!

We are catholic, but we ended up renting the reception venue for the entire day to avoid the gap. Our ceremony is at 1 (non-negotiable), lasts for an hour, then 25-30 min drive to reception, 1 hr for cocktail hour, so we arrive to reception at 3:30 and it will last until 7:30, after that, we will do afterparty at hotel for anybody who wants,

I think a cocktail hour would be necessary in this case, Even if it is just an informal one.

I’m kind of in the same boat as you. Different reasons (my ceremony space only allows ceremonies to start no later than 2:30 and the reception is at 6...so for me people will probably have about a 2.5 hour gap).

To be honest, I’m very nervous about it but we literally had no choice so I understand your issue with lighting and time of day - you have no say in the matter! I’ve been to a wedding in the past that had a huge gap and it was nbd - there was a brewery nearby that everyone went to and I’m pretty sure every single person returned for the reception (I don’t think I saw a single empty seat). I’d say just make sure you’re near stuff for them to do and I’d highly consider a cocktail hour as well.

Again I’m extremely nervous about people not showing up to both but I’m just kind of hoping for the best. Wish I could be more help! Don’t let yourself get scared by responses (I’m saying that because I know I do). Know that you are being as considerate of your guests as you can be and people will know that you love them & that even if some things about your wedding day aren’t 100% perfect in their opinion, they’ll be there for you if they truly care.

I got married in November with a similar sunset time. We had to have our ceremony at the Church at 2pm due to another wedding at 4. Cocktail hour was at 5. I was worried about it but all our guests didn’t mind and found things to do.