Gap after ceremony - what would my guests do?

My personal recommendation would be to find a way to still get married at the nature preserve so the ceremony fits into your timeline better. It would be less stressful for you and easier on your guests. You can find a different bilingual officiant. Or you can get someone bilingual to become an officiant for the day. Or you can be legally married a few weeks before your real wedding and do whatever you'd like at the one with family and friends. It just sounds like a lot of time with no clear direction. And assume the ceremony might be shorter and the photos might take longer.

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I completely agree with this. I would seek out another bilingual officiant, or ask someone you know that is bilingual to become ordained to perform the ceremony. Traveling from one location to another is stressful, and people become restless quickly. I would try to make it as easy as possible for them and you.

View Quoted Comment Ok nice. Just one heads up, in some states it's nearly impossible for a friend to become ordained for a wedding. It's not an issue in most states, but apparently it is in Virginia. So just do your research.

Thank you for your advice! My FH is the one who would like to be married by a priest, I'm doing my best to make sure the wedding reflects a wonderful combination of the two of us, so I told him I would try to find one. There are also some things that the church solves: we wouldn't need a backup plan if it rains, it's handicap accessible so I wouldn't worry about the older guests who are attending or anyone with mobility issues, it's ornate so our decorations budget could be almost completely focused on the reception, music is included, and my father is big on the church idea so he offered to pay for the ceremony if we do get married in a church, which again would help with the budget. That said... I really am not fond of the time gap or distance.
It sounds like the gap in time would be off-putting. Maybe I can go back and research again to see if there is a universal or non-denomination priest who is bilingual and willing to perform a ceremony outside the church.

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I didn't realize your FH was Catholic and it was important to him to be married by a priest. I'm not catholic, but I do know most priests will insist on performing the ceremony in the church. The catholic church has all kinds of rules when it comes to weddings, so I would definitely figure out what all of those are and how to move forward with that. But, as you stated, there are several benefits to having the ceremony in the church. And most people are aware of the "catholic gap" between ceremony and reception. So although it's not ideal, I'm sure you can find a way to make the extra long cocktail hour work. Since you are joining your guests around 4:00, maybe you could do your first dance and the cake cutting then. If you are having speeches, you could get those out of the way then also. And if you're having a plated meal, you could have them bring out the first course (usually soup/salad) at 4:30, 4:45 -ish. That should keep everything moving along.

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I found similar bonuses to a Church wedding, plus we are practicing. I think if one partner has a clear vision of how they want to be married, logistics or guest convenience are not fair excuses. Anyway, with the money you save, I suggest a 1.5 hour cocktail hour at 3:30pm with plenty of seating, food, and attendants to bus tables continuously. I would have 3-4 food stations (meat and veg diverse) and if possible passed hor d'ouevres. Since it's mid-day and outside, it would be nice to have non-alcohol offerings in self-serve beverage dispensers to go along with the bar.

In your invitations, list cocktail hour time, and dinner time. Guests will see they have ample time to travel and be less rushed. They will also socialize without prompting and have the option to wander the grounds. Of the options you listed, I'd remove crosswords and the escape room as this changes the party energy. If you are back earlier from pictures, you can always start dances or toasts earlier and maybe even move up dinner by 15 minutes. You could also stay with your 5pm dinner time, and let guests rest their bellies from the cocktail experience before sitting down for the dinner course. I, personally, wished I gave 1.5 hrs so I can walk and informally speak with my guests longer.

I honestly don’t think you need to change your plan. A half hour is pushing the distance between ceremony and reception venue but it’s not IMO a dealbreaker, especially because of the religious considerations and needing it to be in the church. An hour and a half for cocktail “hour” is common enough, too. Personally, I wouldn’t add any of those activities. Eating, drinking, and socializing is plenty and the time goes by faster than you think.

If your FI is a practicing catholic, it seems to make sense to get married in the church. There's nothing inherently wrong with your plan as is. A 90 minute cocktail hour is fine, and with drinks, appies and music, I don't think you'll meed much else.

I would have cocktail hour from 3:30-4:30 then at 4:30 have your guests take their seats. At approximately 4:40-4:45 after everyone is seated, you and your bridal party (if you have one) make your grand entrance. Then I'd have your first dance followed by speeches and a pray then have dinner start. If you are having a salad course that could be passed out while guests are being seated.

Thank you so much for your weigh in everyone! My research came back empty on an ordained minister who is bilingual, so it looks like we'll be moving forward with the church. I'm glad to know it isn't as off putting as immediately it seemed. My FH is not a church goer, but is religious in his own way and his family is very religious.
I loved the idea of being able to walk around and meet with all the guests during this time, after pictures are done and while appetizers and cocktails are available. Thank you for pointing that out! Over half of our guests will be traveling from out of town, so it is important to me to thank everyone for coming. I'm feeling much more confident in the gap now, thanks everyone for providing your viewpoints!