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Kathryn
Just Said Yes May 2021

Reception then Ceremony

Kathryn, on June 13, 2020 at 12:07 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 7
We want a very small, non-traditional, intimate backyard wedding. Initial idea is backyard ceremony and then family dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants like 20 min down the rd. This place is perfect, quaint, maybe seats 35, amazing fresh farm to table sorta food and can accomodate us. Including both of us and our officiant, were talking 16 people. There's quite a few issues with this but I have had this vision (because I am all about lighting and ambiance) and am trying to make it work logistically. So heres my thoughts.


I just want to be married by the little bit of sunset light left in our start-to-summer day and candles. This means ceremony time is looking like 730 pm ish. Just enough time for a quick maybe 20 min ceremony and a few photos. I figured we would do a first look and a few couple photos earlier in the day. But then I got to thinking well we can do all formal and informal family photos after our first look couple photos too to help with wasting so much time after the ceremony. Both families typically eat pretty early like 5 and now were asking them to eat roughly 830-9, and the restaurant closes at 10 pm the latest...doesnt work.
So my idea is we get ready, do our first look, take our couple photos, have family come over to our backyard and we would spend time together, do formal and informal photos, apps and drinks. Think cocktail hour, except we get to actually spend time with our closest loved ones during this time. Then, this favorite local restaurant we love so much would cater dinner, right there, say 530-6ish. By the time dinner is over we would do our sunset ceremony, grab as many amazing light photos, light dessert and coffee and done! We are not doing cake cutting, dancing or any of that hullabaloo. Its all about us, our wedding, and our union of families.
Opinions, suggestions, tips? All greatly appreciated.Reception then Ceremony 1

7 Comments

Latest activity by Kathryn, on June 13, 2020 at 7:20 AM
  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I think that sounds like a good idea. Because you’re right if you did dinner at around 830-9p that would be so late.
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  • Renee
    Super June 2020
    Renee ·
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    Sounds good to me.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Since you’re not doing dancing (or it sounds like heavy drinking), I think this sounds like a good plan. And considerate to friends& family who prefer to eat earlier.
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  • Nefetera
    VIP March 2015
    Nefetera ·
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    Sounds like a great Alternative..
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  • VIP August 2020
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    I think your sunset plan sounds beautiful, and that if you're excited about having the reception before the ceremony you should go for it!
    I personally would like to have dinner after the reception just because it feels like more time to celebrate what you've just done, rather than what you're about to do. I also think it's possible do that and still have the experiences you want. (A restaurant's closing time is usually when, or shortly after they stop making food, not when they kick you out.)

    Here's how it would go in my head:You have your first look and family photos taken during a cocktail hour in the late afternoon/early evening. Warn people ahead of time that dinner will be late so they have a late/heavy lunch and provide enough apps to prevent people from getting hangry. You have a lovely ceremony 7:30-7:50. Your guests head to the restaurant immediately so they can order their food/start appetizers (you tell the restaurant what you want ahead of time). They get to the restaurant around 8:15. You and your groom have the rest of your photos taken and get a few minutes alone on the way to the restaurant. You arrive at 8:45. Everyone is thrilled to see and congratulate you even though you were only apart for like an hour. Everyone gets to eat and then you all go home.
    Hopefully that was helpful because either:A) You loved it and now you have a new plan.ORB) You hated it and now you feel even better about your original plan.
    Good luck either way!
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  • VIP August 2020
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    *I'm sorry about the weird formatting that happened after I pressed REPLY. I hope that isn't to painful to read!
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  • Kathryn
    Just Said Yes May 2021
    Kathryn ·
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    Thanks for the feedback! The restaurant closes at 9pm on sun n 10pm on fri n sat...so we r very limited n my parents r not late lwipl
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