Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

K
Devoted June 2016

Evening Wedding Time Line

Kerri, on December 22, 2009 at 3:29 PM Posted in Planning 0 12

I really want an evening wedding, plus our wedding is going to be on a Friday. How late is to late to start the ceremony? And then what time should dinner be?

12 Comments

Latest activity by fenny, on January 7, 2011 at 10:05 PM
  • Bayridgeqt
    Expert July 2010
    Bayridgeqt ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I'm having an evening wedding also on a Friday so I'll tell you my time line, maybe that will help. 7:30pm ceremony (7:00pm) on invites 8:00pm cocktail hour and 9pm-1am reception. My ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception are all in the same place so I am able to do the times that closely. Take into account how far away your venues are from one another and also how long your ceremony will run.

    • Reply
  • The Potters
    Master September 2009
    The Potters ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Is the wedding outside? I think it depends on when it gets dark. In July it gets dark around 6:30 here, so I wouldn't want it to be any later than 6:00. And dinner usually follows within the hour after the ceremony.

    • Reply
  • Konichiwa
    Master January 2010
    Konichiwa ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I don't think it's too much of a problem unless there is nothing to nosh on at your cocktail hour. Because not eating until after 9 would be hard for me! =) I get cranky when I'm hungry LOL

    • Reply
  • Whitni
    VIP June 2010
    Whitni ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Im having my wedding on a friday night too! Smiley smile We decided on 7pm-10pm for the time. We didnt want anyone to have to take off work too early (guests that arent family) just for the wedding. And Plus theres alot of traffic in the town we are having the wedding at, so it gives them time to get there. FH wanted to have it at 5:30, but i thought with the traffic there, it might cause a problem, so we pushed it back a little bit. Just incase the traffic is horrible Smiley smile!!!!

    • Reply
  • K
    Devoted June 2016
    Kerri ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Lucky for us we have our wedding venue from Thursday early morning until Saturday late morning, and our ceremony and reception is about a half a mile from each other and in July in CA it doesn’t get dark until about 8pm. The time line I was thinking would look like this

    5:15-5::45- Pre -Ceremony appetizers and drinks

    6:00- Ceremony

    6:45-7:45 Post- Ceremony appetizers/cocktail hour

    8:30 or 9:00- Dinner

    • Reply
  • hiswifeoct
    Savvy October 2008
    hiswifeoct ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    If you have guests that worked all day you they may be very hungry. But your timeline seems to be realistic.

    • Reply
  • ~~Bride to Be~~
    Expert May 2010
    ~~Bride to Be~~ ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    We are having a Friday evening outisde wedding. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 with cocktail hour beginning at 7:00. The reception will run from 8-midnight. I looked up the time of the sunset and here in Florida it said 8:20pm but I know even with the time change it wont be light at 8:20. We sent out our save the dates and really have spreaded the word about our Friday date and the time being at 6:30 in hopes that everyone will be able to make it through the traffic. I really wanted it to start at 6:00 but wasnt sure how many guests would be late and since we are only allotted 30 mins for the ceremony I just gave in and made it at 6:30.

    • Reply
  • Tina and Alan
    Savvy July 2009
    Tina and Alan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I had a Saturday wedding in the Summer (Vegas). The ceremony started at 5:30pm, with pictures from 6-7pm. The reception went from 7pm till 10pm and we had to extend the reception till 11pm as no one was leaving! lol

    Hope this helps, good luck and congrats!

    ~ Tee

    www.WeddingNerd.com

    • Reply
  • Kathy  Riggs
    Kathy Riggs ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Especially for outdoor venues or for brides who'll want outdoor pics after the ceremony: visit time and date.com to determine the sunset for your area, then discuss w/ your photographer the after-wedding pic timing, & add 5-10 minutes to the mix for delays, etc. Planning pics out prior, & taking wedding party pics prior to the wedding will shorten the after-wedding pics.

    • Reply
  • MRSDarlin' Now!
    Master September 2010
    MRSDarlin' Now! ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Orig. I wanted an evening wedding... ceremony at 4pm, 1 hr cocktail hour to start at 4:45pm, dinner prob by 6-6:30pm.. dancing, dancing, dancing and prob cake around 8 or so.. 9pm basically everything would be over. HOWEVERRRR.. boooooo.. i'm doing an afternoon thing now because of price so my ceremony will be at 12:30pm..cocktail hour 1-2pm (assuming everything runs on time), food around 3:30pm i guess.. cake around 4-4:30pm... and then its over :/ it'll all be over before we know it!! aaaaah..! sorry.. i'm freaking out, LOL

    • Reply
  • Beginner December 2011
    Lang ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    well prom is just around the corner and I'm in a really really huge money bind, so if anyone that resides in southern California, or is a prominent online bargain shopper, and you know great bargains for designer evening dresses .

    • Reply
  • Beginner December 2011
    Lang ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    well prom is just around the corner and I'm in a really really huge money bind, so if anyone that resides in southern California, or is a prominent online bargain shopper, and you know great bargains for designer evening dresses .

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Explore how we embrace diversity

Groups

WeddingWire article topics