Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Super April 2014

Reception: How Long is Too Long?

Flag
Hide content

Mrs. Grissett-Johnson, on July 17, 2013 at 5:31 PM

So today I started putting together a mock timeline for our Reception. See... 12:30 PM – Start Reception • 12:30 -1 pm o Cocktails / Mimosas • 1 pm – 2 pm o Introduction of Bride & Groom o 1st dance o Bride & Groom welcome guests o Prayer o Lunch o Toast (Best Man / Maid of Honor) • 2 pm – 3:20 pm...

So today I started putting together a mock timeline for our Reception. See...

12:30 PM – Start Reception

• 12:30 -1 pm

o Cocktails / Mimosas

• 1 pm – 2 pm

o Introduction of Bride & Groom

o 1st dance

o Bride & Groom welcome guests

o Prayer

o Lunch

o Toast (Best Man / Maid of Honor)

• 2 pm – 3:20 pm

o Cake Cutting

o Father/daughter dance

o Mother/son dance

o Group dance / mix and mingle / photos

o Bouquet / Garter toss

• 3:30 pm

o Horse & buggy departure w/ bubbles

o Shuttle to take bridal party back to hotel

3:30 PM – 4 PM - Horse & Buggy ride to Omni Hotel

From start to finish the reception will only be 3 hours long and I still feel like that may be too long. I went to a wedding last weekend that also had a 3 hour reception (8 - 11 p.m.). Everything started off well enough, but people started leaving at about the 2nd hour (right after the toasts). I'm sorry, but for all the money we spend to make these weddings happen, I would be soo disappointed to see people run out so soon.

Show all

30 Comments

VIP September 2013
Mrs. Pezz · on July 18, 2013 at 8:44 AM
Flag

Hide content
Including the dinner, mine is 6 hours of reception time. Who knows if everyone will stay that late.
- Reply
Master January 2014
Jules · on July 18, 2013 at 8:51 AM
Flag

Hide content
Mary you're in the UK right?

One of my BM got married in London (she lives there now too obviously) and the one thing we all noticed is how US and UK weddings are structured very differently.

None of the people from the US had ever been to a wedding there before and we were all surprised how long they last and the wedding breakfast/evening guests thing were new to us too! Don't get me wrong it was a total blast - just not what we were used to from standard US receptions.
- Reply
Devoted August 2014
Melissa · on July 18, 2013 at 8:53 AM
Flag

Hide content
Our reception is going to be 6hrs..I feel like the DJ, and the bar will make a big difference, if ppl start to leave that is okay with me it will be the older folks mainly.
- Reply
Dedicated November 2013
Noha · on July 18, 2013 at 9:18 AM
Flag

Hide content
3 hours, too long? woah! lol My brothers wedding started at 5:30 and ended at 2:00 am. Every wedding I've been to here is realllllllly long lol After dinner, everyone parties the night away.
- Reply
Savvy April 2014
Cyndi · on July 18, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Flag

Hide content
My wedding reception was 6 hours, of course some people left before then but the bulk of the people stayed and danced the night away! Hubby and I left at 11 pm and the remaining people went to a club after we left... so I guess it depends on your group.. Best of luck!
- Reply
Devoted July 2013
Tina · on July 18, 2013 at 10:41 AM
Flag

Hide content
We are expecting about 90 people. I do expect some with small kids and the older church members to leave early. I don't have a set timeline as far as how long. I think 3-4 hours is fine.
- Reply
Master February 2014
mrsrobinvalentine · on July 18, 2013 at 10:49 AM
Flag

Hide content
We are booked for a total of 5 hours, which includes wedding ceremony, cocktail hour & reception. I think guests will start to leave if you have a too long down time; it's up to your DJ & MC to keep the party going.
- Reply
Master August 2014
Riki · on July 18, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Flag

Hide content
If it was 8-11 on a Saturday night I can see why people started leaving...Especially if the party wasn't "jumpin"...

I went to a wedding like that once and you could tell by the way a lot of the attendees were dressed that they were planning on hitting the club after...

They tried to get the party going, but the bride had like two meltdowns, her kids were being hooligans (in the parking lot lighting up), and the old people were bringing a damper on things by constantly requesting top 40 gospel hits...

The DJ makes or breaks the party.

There was no alcohol (except for what people had stashed in their cars...)

if you have a wedding on a Saturday night then it better feel like people are at a party...Otherwise they WILL leave your wedding for the party.
- Reply
Master August 2014
Riki · on July 18, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Flag

Hide content
If it was 8-11 on a Saturday night I can see why people started leaving...Especially if the party wasn't "jumpin"...

I went to a wedding like that once and you could tell by the way a lot of the attendees were dressed that they were planning on hitting the club after...

They tried to get the party going, but the bride had like two meltdowns, her kids were being hooligans (in the parking lot lighting up), and the old people were bringing a damper on things by constantly requesting top 40 gospel hits...

The DJ makes or breaks the party.

There was no alcohol (except for what people had stashed in their cars...)

if you have a wedding on a Saturday night then it better feel like people are at a party...Otherwise they WILL leave your wedding for the party.
- Reply

Super September 2013
MrsC · on July 18, 2013 at 11:01 AM
Flag

Hide content
We have 50 people. We are an older and laid-back crowd. Ceremony is at 6:30, cocktail hour 7 - 8, (festivities during), dinner and dancing till 10pm. There will not be a moment for anyone to get bored. We will leave at 10pm and the crowd will file out once they see clean up start to happen. We have our venue for 5 hours and that includes an hour to setup and 30 minutes to cleanup.

BUT...we are surrounded by restaurants and bars. If the partiers want to continue on they have plenty of options. I think with you having an after party you are gonna be just fine w/the 3 to 3.5 hour reception!
- Reply