Help! We want a short Reception.

Hmm 1 hour is really short. are these people traveling far? i could see some people being upset if they drove quite a while and hten stay for just an hour.

I would say something like join the bride and groom for a short garden reception following the ceremony. maybe put the time afterwards (1pm to 2pm)?

I think if you put the time on the cards/invitations, people traveling can decide whether they want to take the time to drive for hours just for such a small amount of time.

We are doing something similar. We are having a short ceremony, then a small luncheon (guest list is 60). No drinking, dancing, toasts, etc. We will do a cake cutting and a grand exit though.

Since our guests are mainly family- we have just told them it will be very short and not a formal recpetion. We are thinking we will put Luncheon to Follow on the invitations instead of Reception to Follow.

Nobody is traveling more than a half hour. thanks fir the ideas!

I would say something like, "Please join the bride and groom for light refreshments after the ceremony." If you're just putting out punch, tea or coffee, cookies, and maybe some tea sandwiches, people won't hang around too long. It's booze and dancing that keep people hangin' round. I would guess at the very least, people will start getting hungry or bored around 5 and start to clear out.

You could put "please join us for a light reception from 1-2PM immediately after the ceremony..." Light reception is code for light food like sandwiches and salad.

I personally think an hour should be fine. Since most receptions last longer I do agree with pp that you should note it's a short reception on the invite or on a reception card, that way, people are aware it's not a full dinner 5 hour affair and no one is suprised to see you guys skip out! =)

I wouldn't even call it a reception.. Maybe, "Celebrate with the bride and groom with light refreshments" or something along those lines and add the time.

Thank you all!

Honestly close friend (one of my BMs) just got married last June and it was about an hour away from me, and the reception was only two hours, so I'd drive as much as I'd be there, and didn't go. That sounds kinda bad, but she didn't have a big ceremony, so no one went to that. I just think that much less people will come if it's a luncheon. You could put that it's a cocktail reception. Light snacks and drinks constitutes that. Also, the only way for a long reception (like mine 4 hours) to end is for the music to stop and the DJ to mention something.

Our reception is only one hour and it is only wedding cake, groom cake, punch, nuts, and mints. We have informed all the guests the reception is a desert reception only and is only one hour. For the people coming from out of town my mother is giving a rehersal sit down dinner and is inviting all the out of town guests.

We are doing the same thing. My entire wedding and reception is only 2.5 hrs long. Finger foods, fruit and cheese stands, punch, wedding cake and coffee tea service. I am planning a BBQ lunch after church on Saturday for my out of town guest. I'm letting people know the time line so they can decide if its worth their time.