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Dedicated June 2021

Help with timeline of events

Emily, on March 19, 2021 at 5:51 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 10

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Is 4:30pm too early for dinner?

This is what I have so far..
3pm- Ceremony begins3:30pm- Ceremony exit, guests enter reception hall for cocktails4:25pm Grand Entrance4:30pm Dinner5:30 cake cutting5:35 First dance then the rest of the reception dancing begins afterward.
We will be doing our pictures while guests are having cocktails. And spotlight dances, garter and bouquet toss will occur later on during the reception. I know cake cutting is traditionally at the end of the reception but I thought it would work out well to introducing the dessert after dinner.

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10 Comments

Latest activity by Emily, on March 22, 2021 at 4:50 PM

Champion December 2022
Michelle · on March 19, 2021 at 5:57 PM
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Most restaurants begin serving dinner at 4. Is your ceremony and reception at the same venue? If so, I would push dinner to 5 because not everyone will go immediately from their seats to cocktail hour.
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Dedicated June 2021
Emily · on March 19, 2021 at 8:32 PM
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Yes, they’re both at the same venue. The reception is indoor while the ceremony is right outside under the pavilion, just a few steps away.
I actually didn’t think about restaurants opening up at that time. That really made me feel better! Thanks!
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Master May 2021
Cristy · on March 19, 2021 at 11:33 PM
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It kind of depends on how much time you have for the reception. It's a bit early for me, but everyone is different. I don't think people will mind.
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Dedicated May 2021
Maybride · on March 20, 2021 at 12:18 AM
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Push it back to at least 5.30 (even that is a tad early). Just let people mingle- time goes quickly. Could you serve canapés so the gap doesn’t feel so big?
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Savvy October 2021
Dana · on March 20, 2021 at 12:52 PM
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I mean that's fine but most weddings I've been to have the dances and speeches before dinner that way it pushes it out a bit.
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VIP October 2021
Monica · on March 20, 2021 at 2:31 PM
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My dinner will be at 4:30! 2:30 ceremony 3pm cocktail hour with appetizers. 4pm grand entrance followed by speeches & toast. dinner at 4:30 and the night is over by 9/9:30. (Still deciding if 9:30 is too long)
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on March 22, 2021 at 8:45 AM
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What time does your reception end? If you are serving dinner at 4:30, but the evening does not end until 10:00 or later, I would offer late night snacks. People will get hungry by the end of the night if they have been drinking and dancing.
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Lady · on March 22, 2021 at 11:10 AM
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I think your timeline sounds great! IF you wanted to stretch it to 5pm you could do a receiving line after the ceremony. Super easy way to make sure you greet all your guests personally and they go really quickly, then you could take pictures while they go to the hall for drinks and not worry about making sure you speak to every individual during dinner/dancing!
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Dedicated June 2021
Emily · on March 22, 2021 at 4:50 PM
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We plan on having the reception end at about 8 after we do the send off.
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Dedicated June 2021
Emily · on March 22, 2021 at 4:50 PM
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I love that idea!
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