Reception end time too early ?

I’m a bartender @ a hotel and early ending to a reception is quite common. If you have a lot of guests from out of town why don’t you opt for an after party @ the hotel they’re staying at. If not, a local/favorite bar would be a great option for an after party. Just make sure the guests are aware what the rules are at the after party when it comes to bar options (open bar/cash bar) so they’re not surprised/ disappoint if it’s not what they expected. You can always talk to the management of he after party place to put together something for you that won’t brake a budget but will be a nice touch for those who decide to stick around

Not too early to end— and it all has to do with when you start! I’d say 9pm would be too early an end if you started at 7, but if you start early it’s good to end early too ! Our wedding formally ended at 9. We got started at 3:30. Some People were definitely tired by 9! Others weren’t— those who were up for it headed over to a bar by the hotel to after party!

We are going to have our reception from 5-9 and then a bonfire after party.

I agree with everyone here - 9pm doesn't seem too early to end! A lot of guests will leave earlier than that, and you can always have an after party with some people if you're not ready for the night to end! It all depends on what you and your soon to be husband want to do

Our venue is at a winery and our reception must end by 9pm too. In PA there is a “noise ordinance” for all wineries which means no noise after 9pm and it’s strictly enforced. It kinda stinks but something my FH and I plan on doing is have an after party in the city where we can go bar hopping and then it’s on everyone else’s dime since we are already paying for a limited bar at our reception. Also not everyone we invite to our wedding likes beer/ wine.

My FH and I feel like it’s the perfect solution because we LOVE our venue and then the “party” people will keep the party going after the reception is over!

View Quoted Comment Definitely would not have an after party that’s 45 minutes away. If you can find s local bar that would work. 9 still seems early to be though.

Ours is ending at 9pm but it is on a Monday so we aren't doing an after party plus I don't think my crowd would want to be up later than that. If you have a more "party-stay up late" crowd then either pay for it to stay open later or do what PPs have said and just go to a bar or someones home for an after party/chill!

My wedding is on a Friday night and will end at 930. You guys could always do like an after party for whoever wants to go at a bar nearby? Maybe bring a change of clothes so you can just hangout with your family and friends who go as well?

I don’t think end time is too early. Your guest will have been with you for about 5 to 6 hours by then. So the time that it ends doesn’t really matter.