How long is to long between ceremony and reception start time?

I think it's too long. I honestly don't know what I would do expect sit down somewhere and drink. Even if there're things to do around, I wouldn't want to do them all dressed up in heels. For the convenience of your guests, either provide a cocktail hour or shorten the gap significantly.

Yes you should definitely consider it. To answer your question honestly, it's a huge inconvenience to your guests to make them wait 3.5 hours. They will be hungry, get restless, bored and anxious.

Does this have anything to do with religion or your church? Like - do you have to get married early in the day b/c there's a late afternoon mass or something?

We've been to lots of Catholic weddings and expect those gaps b/c it's kind of a cultural thing - but I wouldn't do that unless there was literally no alternative. I think 3.5 hours is too long. People might skip the ceremony, be late to the reception, or show up schnockered after sitting in a bar for 3 hours.

You can get lots of those photos out of the way before the ceremony even if you and FH don't want to see each other first. Have you talked to your photographer?

Yeah, way too long, If it takes more than an hour to 1 1/2 hours max for the photog to get in the shots you want, then he doesn't know what he's doing, I would say for you to talk to your photog first and let him know what it is that you want and how long he feels it would take. That plus the 15 minute to the reception site should be all you need. However, your guests are going to need something to do, I would say make sure the venue has hors d 'oveurs (SP?) and regular drinks set out for guests so that they can come in, have a small bite and mingle. I would definitely not want to keep them waiting for 2 hours or anything more. I would puch the ceremony back an hour and a half to give 2 hours for photos and to get to the reception site.

3.5 hours?! Whoa! Not sure how large the venue is where you'll be having the reception, but is it possible for the guests to be there at the same time, just in a different area from where you are taking photos for a cocktail hour or something?

It's long and I think your bridal party and families may be restless from all the pics. Talk to the photographer, find out if you can do the girls and guys seperate phots pre-wedding. Get a list together of all the other shots so that it is an organized process. Maybe have the extended family meet you at the venue for their group shots and have a cocktail hour during the extended family shots to keep everyone occupied.

How much of a commute is there between ceremony space and venue? As Kris asked, is ita Catholic Mass? You know your guests the best. If it is a short ceremony and commute, I would put it back an hour.

In our circle(Catholic), we are accustomed to this kind of wait time. We usually just find a bar close to the reception venue. Actually, another criterion for choosing my daugter's venue was that it had a bar/restaurant on site. My daughter's ceremony is at 2:00 and reception beings at 5:30. However, the ceremony will be at least an hour and it is at least an hour's ride to the reception venue. We figure the most people will have to wait it out in the bar or whatever, is 1.5 hours. We will also wind up picking up the tab for waiting guests.

Too long. The reception itself is a 'long day', and to add fourish hours to that? No way. I think many of your guests will skip the ceremony.

If it's over an hour 1/2 that's a problem. Immediately after the ceremony have guest leave 4 the reception and there should definitely be a cocktail hour w/ food not just drinks due to possibly taking longer. Courtesy should be given to your guest. Groom and all male attendants usually arrive earlier than everyone, so your photographer go ahead & take their photos along with dad(s) b4 guest arrive. Couple taking a pic with each parent separately is simple and not unusual.

Photo list: bride, groom, couple, couple w/bridal party, bride w/female attendants, bride w/male attendants, groom w/male attendants, groom w/ female attendants, couple w/ parent(s), couple w/ officiant, couple 1st kiss, bride w/ flower girl(s), couple cutting cake, couple w/toasing flutes, 1st dance photo, bride & parent dance, bouquet toss, garter removal, guest view at reception, close up of reception table.

If u start bringing in other family members 2 take pictures to w/you, it becomes 2 much.

I personally wouldnt have anything more than an hour.....including commute. As a guest, I would hate to be all dressed up and have to find something to do.

Way too long. Are the guests just going to stand outside while you go inside and get more pictures if you get there after they do? I would at least let them inside and do a cocktail hour. I get wanting pictures inside your venue, but still pictures shouldn't take priority over family and friends.

We have learned that when a bridal couple leaves too much time between ceremony & reception their guests get "extra picky" & shall we say "cranky" Is there a way you could provide a cocktail hour & have your photos taken then while your guests are there?

Like others said- even if you don't want to see your FH before the ceremony you can do pictures with your family and your BM ahead of time to cut down time in the middle. I would also definitely provide refreshments.

We are doing pictures ahead of time because our ceremony and reception are at the same place so people just have to walk inside. we are giving about 20 minutes for people to mingle, sign the guestbook, and find their seats before we start calling up tables for dinner.