From Ceremony to Dinner??

I think it would be good to have a cocktail hour. Usually you have to sign the marriage license and at least take some formal photos after the ceremony. If you dont use up all the time you can always just join your guests at cocktail hour anyways, but I think you should do one.

The only reason you need a cocktail/appetizer hour is to allow time for the bride and groom to take pictures after the wedding ceremony. If you don't need that time for pictures, it's perfectly only to skip the cocktail hour and go straight to the reception. Have you talked to your photographer about your timeline to make sure you'll have time for all your pictures?

I would personally do a cocktail hour. Your guest can move around and mingle for an hour while you have a couple photos taken.

I'd vote to take all of your pictures before the ceremony, and stick to your original plan. Unless the moms want to kick in and cover the cost of the cocktail hour!

Do cocktail hour. It's a graceful way to transition from the ceremony to the dinner, and give your guests some time to mingle. It's not just a time for photos.

No adult is going to play games instead of having cocktail hour.

Cocktail hour is always a good idea I think.

If you're up to it, a first look, or doing pictures before the ceremony is also a good way to get more photos in.

If you are going to have a gap, some food and drinks should be served. It doesn't have to be fancy. My idea would be to do a first look, take pictures before the ceremony, and stick to your original plan. If they aren't helping to pay for it, then you get to do what you want.

Personally, I like cocktail hours. They do provide a nice transition, and if the funds for one are there then go for it, otherwise stick to the plan.

Cocktail hour all the way even if it is wine/beer and a cheese and veggie tray

Just out of curiosity, why the odd timing overall? 2:45 is pretty much smack dab between normal meal times. Your guests will either be famished if they didn't eat lunch or not ready for another meal if they did just eat. Why not push things earlier if you want to do a lunch (maybe a noon start time) or later if are doing dinner (5:30 perhaps.)

You can do cheap snacks! Especially since it sounds like you are having a more casual, outdoor wedding/reception. My friends set up a cool snack area with an old fashioned popcorn machine and pretzels, bar nuts, etc. and drinks. It filled the time in between the ceremony and dinner while they took photos but was very economical.

Thanks Diana! I love that idea of a popcorn machine. We have one! I hadn't thought to use it at the wedding. I actually took a family vote (my kids, my siblings, his siblings) and interestingly, the family voted to start the karaoke machine and play games. Yes, I have a quirky family. We are musical, artistic and super nerdy. For us, get togethers are always about games, and singing and being creative. But, I think the popcorn machine and maybe a s'mores station, since we have two fire pits on our property that my sons and all of their teen cousins love to use are going to work out quite fun!

I'm not thrilled with the idea of the mothers telling you to dip into a contingency fund that isn't their contingency fund.

That being said, I wouldn't replace the cocktail hour with popcorn and yard games. It's an awkward flow, and most guests will be expecting the norm -- which is a bar drink and a few apps. It doesn't have to be a full hour, but a half an hour would be better than nothing. How much would it cost you to go that route?

ETA: I just read your subsequent post. You say your family voted for the Karaoke and yard games, but did you give them the option of wedding/cocktail hour/dinner/singing and games vs. wedding/dinner/when should we start the singing and the games, or was it just a choice of when to start the singing and the games?

Listen, it's your wedding, and it sounds casual. You're not breaking any rules of etiquette (unless you're having a cash bar, and I just KNOW you aren't having a cash bar, right?) by going straight to a reception, so if this is what you want and can afford, it's up to you. As far as the time of day is concerned -- yes, it's true, it's between lunch and dinner (too late for one and too early for the other), but I make accommodations for things like this. I'd eat a very late breakfast or a very light lunch (like a salad). It's only one day.

No we aren't doing a cash bar. We have a wine station and tons of beer for the drinkers and sweet tea, pop and water for those who don't. We know it's between lunch and dinner. All of our family is coming in from out of town, and this was a compromise for those who are making a 5 to 6 hour drive that day. We were trying to be sensitive to these folks.

I think we have decided on a small app selection of fun foods. I talked with the caterer today, and she is going to give me a price for a cheese/crackerish and veggies and fruit. But, we are also going to have the popcorn machine going. So, people can help themselves to a glass of wine or a root beer and snack a little and wander around our property or play games or chase the wild turkey and chipmunks (our nephew's favorite pastime at our house).

This is a very casual/rustic wedding with a wink an a nod to comic book heros (we own a small chain of comic book stores). It's all about fun and family and friends. It's about being outside and doing fun things. There are a lot of children right now in our family and they may out number the adults. Our best friends are in a Celtic band and they offered tonight to playing some tunes around the campfire until we are done with the pics.

It's going to be awesome! I just hope the leaves start turning Tennessee colors. If they do, the wedding is sure to be magical. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.