Is 8pm to late for dinner?

I don't think it is too late at all! they will have appetizers at 7pm - - so it not like you are depriving anyone.... ;o)

i say do it the way that you want. i am learining that even people that may mean well (and definitely those who do not) let their own issues color their reactions to your big day. do you know what i mean??

i think it will be gorgeous.

I dont think it is....like Ashlee said appetizers are at 7. And plus it will be on the invite that everything is starting later, so they can munch on something before they come and plan for a late dinner ahead of time.

Im doing an evening one as well. the sun sets around 6-630 here and the aquarium looks so cool at night so our dinner will be around 730 8...i think it will ne fine. people will know the time and can plan accordingly!

I don't think its too late, especially if people are aware. The only thing to think about is if you are having lots of kids there, then it might be too late. I only say that because we have so many nieces and nephews so we wouldn't want to have a lot of cranky kids ready for bed in the middle of dinner.

Not too late at all.

I dont think its to late at all. BUT with having your ceremony that late outside make sure you tell your photographer and make sure they can make it happen, it requires more equipment, you dont want dark pictures of your ceremony.

8PM is my normal dinner time, so I think it sounds perfect. ;-) As you said, there will be appetizers at 7PM, to tide those over who are used to eating earlier.

My original reception room required an 8pm dinner. That was too late for me mostly because I have a lot of older guests and FH's father is far away (3hr drive) and won't stay in a hotel.

I'm having a 7 PM ceremony, with cocktail hour to follow, so dinner won't be before 8:30. We live in a city and going to dinner at 8:30 or 9 is perfectly normal. I should think that your guests will be able to figure out that dinner is going to be later, based on the time of your ceremony, and eat an afternoon snack if they are accustomed to a 6 PM dinnertime...

Another thought - be sure your venue allows open flame!!!! We had our hearts set on a sunset wedding and candlelight recpetion but our venue (which is the same for both the ceremony and reception will not/ can not allow open flame (insurance issues). Regardless, found some great sources for flickering battery operated candles and tea lights which isn't quite the same as the real thing but sets the venue managers mind at ease and also elliminates some mess

The only way I think it would be too late is if your reception ends early. It may take up to an hour or two for everyone to be served, and finish their dinner. That might rush the time frame for dancing, cake cutting, etc.

If you haven't already, google average sunsets in your area for your wedding date.

P.S., love your idea!

Thanks Teresa W. just checked and it states for October 9th the sun should set about 7:10. So I think 6:30 will be perfect, i do not want it to be to dark. I asked FH if 6:30 is to late for a ceremony, his response is I'm a night owl so the later the better for me...so it looks like a night wedding it is! I'm also thinking of doing a first look and trying to get most of the pictures done before the ceremony. I know my venue will allow open flames, she's even offered me candle holders free if I wanted to bring in the tea lights.

No prob, I had to do the same thing when I was planning for my wedding to be outside. Hope everything turns out exactly how you want it

Stacy, my ceremony starts at 6:30, cocktails & appetizers at 7:30 and dinner at 8:30. Everyone I've talked to is perfectly fine with it - say they'll just eat a late lunch to tide them over until cocktail hour. It's a Friday evening wedding so we wanted to give folks time to get there from work etc.