Ideas for between Ceremony and Reception.

Watch out....you may get some "Gap Bashing" and people telling you that you're a bad host for having a 4 hour gap.

With that being said, our ceremony starts at 1pm and reception at 5pm as well...to give our guests something optional to do, both my parents and FIL's are hosting a joint open house at my parent's place with some appetizers and cocktails. Your idea of having something at the reception is nice, but if you can give some beverages and snacks...I wouldn't worry about putting something together at TWO different locations, doing one place shows your guests that you ARE a gracious host, but its up to them if they choose to take advantage of that

I wouldn't bother with setting some things up for them after the ceremony at your parents' place. If they want to hang out and visit, let them. They know where the next event is and if they want something else to do, they should get over there and do it. Don't put too much thought into this. Most will have already eaten lunch by 1 anyway.

I've never heard of having that much time in between but it could be fun to have activities for everyone to particpate in. I'm not sure what the weather is like where you are in August, but I think water and shade will be a must for safety.

A 4 hour gap would have me leave for lunch and then arrive later, if we came back. lawn games and snacks will help for sure. but still, its enough time for FH to eat and decide he would rather nap.

How long is your reception? If it's the typical 4 hours, 1-9 is a loooong day to spend on a wedding.

That time difference is really common where I live (Northern Ontario) and I think the yard games are a great idea. People around here never think that far ahead. Shade and beverages I think is important as others posted. I think the best option is to plan one event instead of two and just communicating with your guests, whether it be a big sign posted after your ceremony near the exit doors, or having your officiant/parent/bridal party make the announcement. It at least gives guests the option, which is very nice.

In my area. Alberta, Canada it is normal to have longer times in between the ceremony and the reception and in between that time the guest usually entertain themselves and go for lunch or whatever they choose.

Thanks for the ideas guys. It is helping me brain storm. I might decide to change the ceremony date till a little later, but I really do not want to feel rushed with photos and spending some time with my wedding party and New husband.

@ Snarky Cocktails will start at 5 for whoever wants to come early, then supper will be at 6 with speeches right after. And then dancing starts right after.

I live in BC and I've never been to a gap-less wedding, or a wedding that had a cocktail hour. I think it's more common in the States to not have gaps.

I think you can make an announcement after the ceremony with the options of things to do (either stay and visit or go play games). Although that won't eat up all of the time, I think a snack and a drink will help tide people over if they do stay to visit.

It's way too long a day. I hate gaps personally, and I've never seen them work gracefully.

Of course in the states we hate gaps because time is money-lol --i can see how this is normal in other places.

I think for things to not go to waste, you'd need to give your guests a reason to go straight to the next venue. Provide a small lunch, games, and places to sit and relax. And of course, drinks!

I have been to many weddings in Canada without gaps. You can't generalize about an entire COUNTRY. There may be regional differences or things that are common within family / friend circles, but it's not a country thing.

Weddings without gaps in my experience have been most common when the ceremony and reception are in the same venue, usually not a place of worship.

In the other hand, Catholic weddings tend to have the most gaps because the ceremony is always in the early afternoon and usually followed by an evening reception around 5. The location of the wedding is probably most related to whether or not a gap exists not US vs other countries. There have been lots of Americans on WW who are used to gaps as well.

I wish I could do the wedding without gaps, but honestly it's just not going to happen so I am going to try and make the best of it and have lawn games and some cold drinks and maybe snacks to tie people over before the reception starts.

I've been to a lot of weddings in my young years and all the weddings I have been to there has always been at least a four hour gap between the ceremony and reception. I have never had an issue with it.

I live in Northern Michigan and had a gap. My ceremony and reception were actually in two separate time zones. Logistically it was a nightmare in planning but everything was smooth the day of.

If we're talking strictly Eastern Time, my ceremony was at 12 and my cocktail hour was at 5 with dinner at 6. This is normal where I am. I am not Catholic so it was not a traditional Catholic Mass.

After the ceremony there was essentially a 4 hour span. This time was filled with the following:

a) Half hour drive to reception venue

b) Most guest were from out of town so they went to check in (or just went back to) the hotel. The hotel was connected to our reception hall and a casino. LOTS to do.

c) Snacks - my mom's whole side of the family went for lunch after the ceremony.

d) Bridal party took pictures and had a light lunch and drinks on our drive.

Gaps are definitely regional. I have only been to one wedding without a gap.

I think lawn games are a great idea: bean bags, horseshoes etc. If most people will be bringing out campers, they will be busy setting up for part of that time anyway. If your area is used to having a gap, people will find something to do with themselves for that time

I think snacks are a good idea - maybe assign someone to stay and watch the snacks while you carry on - if it doesn't get eaten it could be taken to the location of the yard games. I think you've already basically got it figured out

Trust me on this one. NO one dressed up in August wants to play lawn games. I've seen this. Guests left the venue to go to a bar. Did they enjoy lemonade and corn holes? No.

Do a cocktail hour, shrink the gap. Everyone will love you.

Ugh, gaps suck. Sorry, but they do. Bump your ceremony back to, like, 3 p.m. at least.

FWIW, I'm from Winnipeg and most of the weddings I've been to haven't had gaps.