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Savvy August 2020

How long should a wedding reception be?

Kayla and Noahs day!, on October 29, 2018 at 11:24 PM Posted in Planning 0 28

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Hi everyone! My fiancé and I are trying to arrange our wedding and how long everything is. So my question is, how long does a wedding usually last? I have to keep in mind, the photos after the ceremony, which will probably be an hour, and toasts from the wedding party and family. We have to stop music and all the partying by 10 PM. SO we are thinking 5-10 PM wedding? Is that a too short of time?

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28 Comments

Latest activity by Lynnie, on October 29, 2020 at 4:50 PM

Champion October 2018
Kelly · on October 29, 2018 at 11:38 PM
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Ours was from 4-10 for ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing.
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VIP November 2018
starsinwaves · on October 29, 2018 at 11:54 PM
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Same here. Half an hour ceremony, hour cocktails, four and a half hour reception. I feel like most weddings I go to have a four hour reception though.
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Super May 2019
c · on October 30, 2018 at 12:12 AM
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Ours is a five hour shindig (ceremony and reception). I think five hours is fine.
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Master September 2019
Colleen · on October 30, 2018 at 12:14 AM
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Ours us 5 hours that is how long we have photographer for.
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Dedicated November 2018
Jaci · on October 30, 2018 at 12:22 AM
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Our ceremony starts at 6 and is 45 mins then the reception is til 11.
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Savvy December 2018
Awkwardsauce · on October 30, 2018 at 1:21 AM
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Our wedding is noon to 4pm. 30 minute ceremony, 1 hr for cocktails, 2.5 hr reception.
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VIP May 2019
Swtnss238 · on October 30, 2018 at 1:50 AM
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We r scheduling 3-8pm but because our wedding is small and more of a dinner reception with light dancing, im expecting things to be done by 7.
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Dedicated November 2018
Glam Geek · on October 30, 2018 at 1:50 AM
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Ours will be 7 hours from ceremony to the end of the reception (including cocktail hour), which is really long for wedding standards. Most are about 5 hours. So no worries, as long as you're both happy that's what matters!
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VIP January 2026
Chariece & Sterling · on October 30, 2018 at 5:29 AM
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I think we are looking at a 5/6 hour wedding and reception in the same place.
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Devoted November 2018
Future Mrs. Petro · on October 30, 2018 at 6:05 AM
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Our wedding has to stop at 10 as well due to the city's noise ordinance. Our ceremony starts at 4pm followed by a second line parade to change to ceremony to the reception space which will be from 430-5. Cocktails from 5-6 then dinner and and dancing from 6-10
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Devoted October 2018
Lisa · on October 30, 2018 at 6:27 AM
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Ours was a 7pm wedding and reception ended at 1015. Which is pretty standard for here. I was disappointed that most of our guests left about 9.
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Expert July 2019
#RMC2019 · on October 30, 2018 at 6:32 AM
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My wedding will start at 5 (ceremony) pics from 6-7 (wedding photos) cocktail hour also from 6-7 ( drinks and mingling) from 7-11 (reception). So 6 hours approx...
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Super April 2019
Valerie · on October 30, 2018 at 6:38 AM
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Our wedding will be 6 hours total for ceremony - end of reception which is short to standard where I am from. We will have a 15 minute ceremony, 1 hour cocktail hour, and 4 hr, 45 minute reception.
Then we will after party for 4-5 hours in the hotel bar/someone's hotel room before sleeping for like 2 and then doing brunch.
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VIP March 2019
Abby · on October 30, 2018 at 6:41 AM
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Our wedding is also going to be 5pm-10pm overall and I've been to weddings in that same time frame and it was plenty of time!
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Super May 2018
Summer987 · on October 30, 2018 at 6:45 AM
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No, ours was from 3-8 and it was plenty of time.
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Expert October 2018
Becca · on October 30, 2018 at 6:50 AM
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Ours was 5pm - 11pm
ceremony at 5, cocktail hour from 530 to 645 (while we do pictures), dinner at 645, cake cutting at 730, then dancing until 11.
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Master May 2019
Chandra · on October 30, 2018 at 6:52 AM
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Ours is roughly 7 hours due to factoring in travel time between ceremony and reception venue it could take 30-45 minutes to travel. Our reception is from 5-10 including and hour for cocktails
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VIP August 2019
Angerra · on October 30, 2018 at 7:53 AM
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Ours will be 6 hours total; ceremony, cocktail hour, reception. 5-11pm.
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Dedicated May 2019
Meagan · on October 30, 2018 at 8:02 AM
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Our ceremony is at 2:00pm and our reception starts at 5pm and ends at 12:00am. It really depends on what kind of wedding you want and your venue!
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