Leaving Reception Early

Wow really? Everyone stayed at our wedding until we had to kick them out. Maybe that’s because we had open bar and a great DJ but I think people were having a great time.

Was it a late wedding? Some people get tired and don't like driving at night or have families/jobs they need to get back to.
I'd say you should wait until the cake cutting and even then try not to be obvious leaving.

I went to a wedding this weekend and noticed the same thing! There were about 300 guests and at least half of them left right after dinner. And at least half of the remaining guests left within an hour after that

Just like anything, there are a huge number of extenuating circumstances. It does not matter how much I WANT to be somewhere, I have to leave relatively early. No matter what, my son is getting up around 5:30 am, which means so am I. And that’s also assuming he doesn’t wake anytime during the night. I am someone who needs a good amount of sleep to function. If it is a work week, staying up late on (presumably) Saturday and getting up at our regular time on Sunday and not making it up any day until (if I’m lucky) the next Saturday will make for a hellish week.

That's my family alright. Lol...it is more of a culture thing...I think...my family weddings/reception are 3 hours long...my wedding/reception was 5 and half hours long.

In my culture it happens a lot, hence why by time it's cake theres a lot left over because many have left

I think it really depends on a lot of things. Like how late was the reception running? Do they have kids at home to get back to? Do they work the next day, or even night shift that night? We went to a wedding in April where we had to leave a little early because we have 2 young kids that were home with a sitter waiting on us. We left around 9:00pm, but the reception was still going.

As someone who has left early recently from 2 wedding in the last month I have to say that it had nothing to do with my feelings for the bride and groom. The first wedding we stayed for the ceremony and reception, and ditched right after their first dance. The wedding was about an hour away from home it was rainy and I had to work the next day. The second wedding I had gotten of a 12 hour shift at 7am that morning, my parents invited us out that morning and the wedding started at 5pm. We were out all morning and by the time the ceremony was over I had been up for 30 hours without sleep. The wedding was to be a small back yard wedding and the bride sent out invites and then work people texted her and asked her "did you forget my invite", "was I not invited" or simply told her "put me down for two" even if they didnt get an invitation and her shes and tents looked like they would have been overcrowded and it was 90 degrees or warmer that day so we left before dinner to get rest and hopefully take some stress off the couple in case they had more guest than anticipated.

How long was the day? Sometimes if the ceremony is at 2 or 3 but reception later, it makes for a long day and as others have mentioned, people have obligations

I was literally just saying this to my friend today. I’ve been to 2 weddings so far this year and at each one people have left right after dinner or right as the dance floor was opening up. I understand people may have things to do but the right thing to do would be NOT to RSVP for a $60-$100 plate and then leave early! Just decline !!!!! People on these forums have so much to say about etiquette.. leaving a wedding early should be one of the biggest NO NOs on the list. I’ve heard all these expectations that brides should do but guests are not expected to stay ?! COME ON!

My cousins wedding literally started 3 hours late. I was going to leave so many times but he begged me to stay. So right after vows many ppl left. I was also at a wedding that I left after the dinner bc the music was so lame it was crazy .I was bored out of my mind. I hate to say that but the food was not great and the DJ was wack. I tried to mingle and entertain myself but I just needed to leave and get real food at least 😵 all things I pray don't happen on my day

I’m guessing in many cases it could be 1) wedding/dinner started late, 2) weeknight, 3) 1+ hour drive or more for guests, and/or 4) dry evening wedding or cash bar.

I think it really depends on the event. If they aren't having fun it is definitely hard to sit and be bored. I was at a wedding where there was no alcohol, no dancing, and the food was freezing cold. I honestly didn't want to stay but I loved the couple so I did until the end. It was me and the bridal party.

View Quoted Comment Yeahhhhhh I totally agree. At that price the decent thing would be to stay. I highly doubt everyone has to work the next day. It's a waste. You could've invited that cool coworker or someone who didn't make the list but I bet would stick around for the entire thing.

View Quoted Comment I'm having a cash bar at my wedding. I don't think that should have anythi g to do with people leaving. If it does them they shouldn't have come in the first place. I think providing liquor is a bonus when you are already getting appetizers and a full course meal for free.

It depends on the wedding. We've never ditched right after dinner but kinda early. After 3 or 4 hours I'm ready to go home. Heavy social situations drain me fast. I'll power through my own wedding but I can't do 6 hours. I'm not that young anymore and my mind and mood turn to mush after 4 hours.

I actually went to a wedding a few weeks ago and left right after cake. It is not that I did not love the couple, because I did, but the wedding was not entertaining for more than a few people. The music was not very dance friendly, there was no dance floor, no one really talked to anyone and once they had finished all the first dances and cake cutting there seemed to be nothing else left to do. I did have a prior engagement after the wedding which is part of why I left when I did, but I had time to keep staying. The best thing to do is make sure the guests have something to do, and walk around. Talk to people! This bride sat at one table and talked to one person for forever and no one else. The groom just stood at the front of the room with his best man. Engage your guests! They’re there because they love you and they want to celebrate WITH you!

View Quoted Comment And cake! I totally agree

I do think it’s rude to leave a wedding super early early. Only because the bride and groom have provided apps, dinner, music and cake. None of my family has ever left early. As a matter of fact we usually have after parties. But I will say for those saying people leave if it’s a cash bar, that is ridiculous. I’m having a cash bar. I am providing bottles of wine at each table and that is it. Why should the bride provide someone to get drunk at their wedding. If people had a problem with it they can decline. I have already made it aware it will be cash bar. Nothing wrong with it. So do not feel obligated to provide liquor.

Traditional etiquette is that after the cake is cut, it's ok to leave, but not a minute earlier. Because of this, I'm thinking of waiting til later to cut the cake, but then elderly tend to get antsy.