Is my timeline too short?

I agree that your reception is really short. Are you having a dinner and dancing? What about first dance, cake cutting, etc. we had a similar size wedding and our reception from 7–11 with the 6-7 cocktail hour.

Yes, this seems short. Our venue told us to allot about one hour for dinner alone. That is half your reception.

Are you having dancing?

View Quoted Comment Yes we are, omg I’m freaking out. I think at least until 10, I emailed him to see if we can modify but I’m worried since I already signed the paperwork. .

View Quoted Comment They didn’t really give me any direction and I assumed they would just do what was normal. All he asked was what the ceremony start time I wanted was. I’m just scared because I already signed and paid a deposit today ... :/

View Quoted Comment Yes ... :/

View Quoted Comment

Then I think you will need to extend it by a few hours. Can you do so?

View Quoted Comment I’m really hoping I can. I emailed him to see, I’m just freaking out because I just signed the contract and paid the deposit so I guess he really doesn’t have to extend it if he doesn’t want to.

View Quoted Comment

Well all you can do is ask, right? I would hate to think your party is in full swing then.....time to end!!! I am sorry you are feeling this stress!

I'm sure they can modify the contract. Essentially they will make more money by extending your time renting the space for your reception. Don't worry just yet! We all know planning a wedding can be stressful enough.

View Quoted Comment My whole wedding is only 5 hours that’s only 1 more hour. I saved about 3,000 easy.

View Quoted Comment Sorry hour and a half. I think one more hour should be fine

We’re having about the same size wedding. We’re only having one person from each side stand up next to us during the ceremony. I made it so all the family photos and everything are going to be done before the ceremony. Ours is scheduled from 5-9. I think your timeline is just fine.

Since you plan to have dancing, ending at 10 PM would be allow you a little more wiggle room.

How funny.... Your wedding sounds like ours and on the same date too, except our max is 60 people.

We’re allotted 5 hours so we’re doing:
Ceremony... 4-4:30
Cocktail Hour... 4:30-5:30
Reception... 5:30-9

The contract for our venue specified the number of hours we were paying for. If we had wanted more time, it comes at an additional hourly rate. Check your contract for those kinds of details, as they should be included. If the contract doesn't include those details, it should. You should meet with the venue coordinator again to hammer out those specifics. This protects you and the venue as well. Nothing about this contract should be vague.

Essentially, you've signed a contract for 3.5 hours. That's not very long. I think most places give you at least 4 hours. Ours is for 6, which also includes set up and tear down, but we're getting 4 hours of reception time. Because you have no wedding party, you won't need as much time, as you have pointed out. But still you want to have ample time for your guests to have dinner, and dancing, etc. I would get in touch with the venue right away to straighten this out.

Mine is really similar, 5-10 including ceremony and cocktail "hour." I'm also curious about what people think about it

Yea i think it is unless your not serving dinner then should be ok...were doing 6-10 dinner at 6:30 toasts at 7 pm cutting cake at 7:15 bouquet toss garter toss at 7:45-8pm and then dollar dance at 9 pm and final 10 pm Chinese lantern wish send off

I just wanted to say I am following this thread - I am also hosting my wedding at a hotel, and the timeline for me was similar, if not worse... 30 mins for ceremony, and 1 hr for cocktail & dinner. Crazy. It seems wild to me too, so I'm going to stay posted.

Hi ladies!

Thank you so much for all your replies to my 10pm freakout! I do have an update!


he venue replied back and said the timeline is just more for them for blocking off the areas in the hotel and it can be changed and extended when finalized! Freak out over