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Just Said Yes August 2014

Need Help: Is a 3 hour reception too short?

Felicia, on January 23, 2014 at 9:02 AM

Posted in Planning 24

My wedding is planned for a Sunday and I'm starting to get concerned that the timeline we have scheduled is too short. We are only inviting 50 people that will be family and close friends. Most of our close friends will be in the bridal/groom parties. The basic venue package offers 30 min for the...

My wedding is planned for a Sunday and I'm starting to get concerned that the timeline we have scheduled is too short. We are only inviting 50 people that will be family and close friends. Most of our close friends will be in the bridal/groom parties. The basic venue package offers 30 min for the ceremony and 3 hours for the reception which gives a total of 3.5 hours for the entire wedding. I am starting to get concerned because we need time after the ceremony to take pictures as well so that only gives us about 2 - 2.5 hrs to spend with guests. We are not having an open bar though. Just champagne and a signature drink. I'm wondering if I should add 30 min or a hour to the total timeline. Right now the wedding starts at 5pm and ends at 8:30pm. Any advice you have is greatly appreciated!

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24 Comments

  • Mrs Wilson
    VIP May 2014
    Mrs Wilson ·
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    My cocktail hour starts at 5:30 and we have the venue until 1am. I think 3 hours is way too short, you spend the bulk of the money at the venue so you want to spend the most time there.

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  • Megan
    Super October 2014
    Megan ·
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    Our last call will be about 11:30, the last shuttle back to the hotel is at midnight. We have a saying that "nothing good happens after midnight" so the party will be wrapped up by then. But its on a Saturday and our friends are partiers. I think it depends on your guests TBH

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  • F
    Just Said Yes August 2014
    Felicia ·
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    Thanks everyone for the advice and thoughts! Since it is a Sunday, I doubt anyone will want to stay out late partying. We had the idea of having an after party at a hotel with people who did want to stay out and maybe pushing the wedding to a little earlier in the day. I am thinking that maybe adding 30 minutes after the ceremony would be helpful just to take pictures. It seems that the average "full wedding" is 4-5 hours but most weddings have more than 50 people.

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  • Private User
    Master March 2014
    Private User ·
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    If it was a Saturday night with 200+ people? Way too short. But Sunday afternoon with 50? Perfect.

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