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Dedicated September 2015

Realistic timeline for 4 hour reception?

Chloe, on December 15, 2014 at 1:15 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 7

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In your opinion, is this reasonable? We are trying to keep costs for vendors low and not overdo the whole "dance party all night long" thing (since my fiance is not into that, which I want to respect). He's not a late night guy, so we want to leave at a reasonable hour.

4:30 - Guest arrive at reception venue. Drinks (just wine & beer) & appetizers available.

5:00 - We arrive. First dance.

5:15-6:30 Buffet dinner (approx 130 people) and mingling, including a break for toasts.

6:30-7:30 Dancing & mingling

7:30 Serve donuts (easy! no cutting required).

7:45 Step outside for sunset pictures with photographer.

8:00 More Dancing

8:30 We exit

9:00 Reception over

Some things to note - drinks are limited to wine and beer. We will not being doing any garter or bouquet toss or anything "showy" like that.

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7 Comments

Latest activity by FutureMrsMerritt, on December 15, 2014 at 2:20 PM

VIP September 2014
Mrs.Temme · on December 15, 2014 at 1:19 PM
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Sounds perfect. but why would people mingle during the dinner hour? mingling is for the 30 minute cocktail hour. my timeline was similar. we had the speeches 45 minutes into dinner so that people were still in their seat and almost done. and donut time is good but earlier is good too. we cut our cake earlier than planned because people started asking about dessert
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Dedicated September 2015
Chloe · on December 15, 2014 at 1:24 PM
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Oh, I meant my fiance and I will mingle. Do the whole "table to table" greeting thing.

Thanks for the dessert tip!
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Master October 2013
.... · on December 15, 2014 at 1:24 PM
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Why would you exit at 8:30 instead of 9? An exit won't take 30 minutes probably ( we didnt do one - just got on the shuttle). I'd continue the more dancing until 9, then exit, and guests leave.

You might want to just be flexible with things like donuts and sunset pictures. 7:45 seems really late for sunset! We let our Dj judge the vibe on when we should do cake. Our sunset pictures were around 6:15/6:30 (in october). So you may want to play by ear. It may just mean you get pulled out during dancing/mingling briefly. But looks pretty solid!
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Master January 2015
Janeen · on December 15, 2014 at 1:25 PM
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Why are you leaving before your party is over? lol
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Master August 2015
OG FMP · on December 15, 2014 at 1:28 PM
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So your cocktail "hour" will last probably 20mins?? By the time your guests grab a drink and a bite to eat it'll be time for them to find their seat before you arrive at 5, right ?? Sounds like a mess IMO
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Dedicated September 2015
Chloe · on December 15, 2014 at 2:11 PM
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We need to be out due to a limit on the time allowed in the hall. We're on a tight budget. The half hour allowed everyone else to wind down and clear out.

We're not having a true "cocktail hour" - it's gonna be way less formal than that. I really don't care whether people are standing or sitting when we arrive. We're not a big "make an entrance" type of couple.
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VIP September 2015
FutureMrsMerritt · on December 15, 2014 at 2:20 PM
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I have the same time frame and that is how i did it minus sunset pictures! It all sounds good. I am also doing donuts, what a small world lol. I would keep your timeframe how it is. I tried to rework mine and really thats the only way that works. We aren't having a grand entrance either.
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