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Just Said Yes May 2017

One Hour Gap between ceremony & reception

Carly, on January 19, 2017 at 12:26 PM Posted in Planning 0 9

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We're having a destination wedding this May, and are going to have about 1 hour gap between the ceremony and reception. The ceremony will start at 2:00 and last about 1 hour, and the reception will start at 4:00.

We are providing transportation for our guests (more than likely trolleys). There is an option to add a tour guide to the trolley, but I'm not sure if we should do this or not. We can have coolers on the trolleys, so I feel like it could be a good way to kill time. The guests could obviously opt out of the tour and do their own thing if they want.

Is this a good idea? Or would it be best to just allow the guests to do what they want for that time? I've also thought about moving the reception start to 3:00, but with an 8:00 end time, that feels like a long time to be at the reception venue. Thoughts or suggestions?

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9 Comments

Latest activity by Carly, on January 19, 2017 at 1:36 PM

Rachel Langerhans · on January 19, 2017 at 12:27 PM
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Are you having a cocktail hour? Cocktails and appetizers is typically what happens between the ceremony and reception. How far is the ceremony location for the reception location?
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Just Said Yes May 2017
Carly · on January 19, 2017 at 12:30 PM
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We're having a cocktail hour that is going to start at 4:00. The ceremony and reception are about a half mile from one another. So about 6 minute drive or 15 minute walk.
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Super June 2018
H2C17 · on January 19, 2017 at 12:32 PM
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How far away is the reception venue from the ceremony? Did you calulate in the time it will take your guests to take the trolley ride? You may not have a full hour between if you add in commute. I would recomend just having a cocktail hour for your guests when they arive.
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Rachel Langerhans · on January 19, 2017 at 12:34 PM
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I'm not sure how many people would take advantage of a guided trolley ride. But since you can have coolers, can you have alcoholic beverages on them? That might make guests more interested, haha. Otherwise, it might not be worth it to have anything... Guests will likely just go to the reception location and wait. Is it not possible to move the reception start time up a little so that cocktail hour can start earlier?
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Master July 2017
lyla · on January 19, 2017 at 12:37 PM
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If I were you, I'd take up some of that time with a receiving line (30 minutes) and the rest can account for transportation.
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Master August 2017
melanie · on January 19, 2017 at 12:38 PM
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I personally don't want to go on a guided tour while attending a wedding I would rather eat some apps have a drink and mingle. Can you start cocktail hour a little earlier?
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Celia Milton · on January 19, 2017 at 12:46 PM
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Start the cocktail hour earlier. Gaps are awkward and most of the time they are strictly for the convenience of the couple (to take photos).

Skip the receiving line. Pretty much everyone hates them and the 20 seconds you have to say hello is in no way a substitute for a short conversation during the evening.
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Super August 2017
Kristin · on January 19, 2017 at 1:16 PM
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I agree an earlier cocktail time would be better. If people don't do the trolley they may end up off on their own. And waiting to get into a venue on your wedding day can be awkward. It should be a smooth transition and the staff waiting to see you not the other way around.
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Just Said Yes May 2017
Carly · on January 19, 2017 at 1:36 PM
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Thank you all for the advice/suggestions! I think I'm going to look into moving the reception start to either 3:30 or 3:00. The trolley company will give us coupons, so guests can choose to go on their own another time during the weekend if they wish.
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