Reception before Ceremony?

I think you should do whatever you like.

Depends how traditional you are. Would you be ok with everyone seeing you in your dress before the ceremony?

I was thinking have a reception dress, leave 30 min before to get changed and then come back in my dress and have the ceremony.? I don't know! I'm so confused but have plenty of time to figure it out i guess! Just wondering what everyone's else's opinions were on doing it different! I like being different %)

IMHO- As a guest I would be a bit confused by having a reception before the ceremony. Also people will have eaten and had drinks and they might not be entirely focused on your ceremony but if that doesn't matter to you then it would be fine.

I think you're being ridiculous. First off how will you tell your guests you are getting married at 2:18 or 8:18? Will you actually put that time on the invite? If not will you put 2:00 or 8:00? If that is the case then your guests will be waiting around for 18 minutes because you have to have your numbers match up.

Having a reception first would be strange as everyone will have ate and be drinking. They will not be focused on your ceremony. Having your ceremony at 2:18 then cake FIVE HOURS later is also ridiculous. Your guests should not have to wait 5 hours to have dessert.

This whole idea is just really weird.

That would be really weird since you would be celebrating something before it happened...also good luck trying to to wrangle all of the drunk people or any children in the wedding party after they've been given soda and cake

I think you need to pick different numbers or forget about the numbers.

If you're stuck on numbers (as someone w/ OCD I understand) why not an early wedding and plan it so you're pronounced husband and wife or whatever the case may be by 2:18p or like you said plan it so you and your spouse are leaving the venue by 8:18p.

Only reason I wouldn't recommend is because you don't want to be drunk during your vows. You want to remember and fully enjoy the ceremony! Plus you want everyone else to remember and enjoy it as well. That's the whole point of the day anyway lol

Okay so the numbers thing would be weird and confusing to guests.

The reception is to thank your guests for attending the ceremony. It would be a little weird to thank them for something they haven't done yet.

@Naomi brings up a good point. You can't legally get married if you're under the influence.

FFS, let go of the number fascination - you're taking it too far. I get wanting to have it on that particular date, when you want to align the planets with the time as well? It's weird.

What in the world did I just read? No. As a guest I'd be confused at first then I'd be annoyed that I'd have to stop the partying to sit quietly for the ceremony. If it means that much to you have the ceremony at 2:18 and end the reception at 8:18.

I remember a similar post to this one a few months ago. Don't do it. The reception is to thank your guests for coming to the ceremony. The reception needs to happen after the ceremony.

Also, there's a greater likelihood that things will fall behind schedule.

I think 2/18/18 is enough number matching.

It's just weird. Maybe do a first look at 2:18?

This seems like way to much work

I think the likelihood of things happening EXACTLY at 2:18 or 8:18 seems kind of low...

I like the idea of doing a first look at 2:18! Or you can just have the ceremony at 2:18 and then just have an early evening meal with a normal schedule for the reception without cake being 6 hours later.

ETA: overall, I think it will be difficult to plan that exactly, so good luck!