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MiiiMiii225
Dedicated October 2015

Sunday wedding timeline

MiiiMiii225, on July 8, 2015 at 3:21 PM Posted in Planning 1 16

So we're at that point where we actually need to decide what time we're doing things on the wedding day. The venue has a no music after 10pm policy, so I've been working backward from there, but I'm wondering if I should end earlier because it's a Sunday? About half of our guests live in the area and the other half will fly in - so I'm concerned about those who will go to work on Monday but also not that worried because the other half will just be flying out Monday. Also - how long are y'all budgeting for ceremony and reception?

16 Comments

Latest activity by Allison, on July 13, 2015 at 4:18 PM
  • Stephanie
    Expert October 2015
    Stephanie ·
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    I am not sure I am a ton of help because I am getting married the Sunday of a holiday weekend, but...

    4:30-5PM: Ceremony

    5PM-6PM: Cocktail Hour

    6PM-10PM: Reception

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  • EatKnitRun
    Master May 2016
    EatKnitRun ·
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    We are ending at 9 on a Sunday

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    MiiMii225, I think it's great that you are concerned about your guests. You'll hear from some brides who say they plan to use a Saturday evening timeline for a Sunday evening wedding, but every time I hear that, I wonder if those ladies won't be disappointed by the fact that a majority of their guests will be saying their goodbyes by 8:00 or 9:00 PM.

    Sundays are not Saturdays, and for a majority of people, the 40 hour work week (that begins in the early morning) is a reality. I'm totally on board with Sunday weddings. It's a day that most of us spend catching up on household stuff or getting together with family. It's a day that most people have off, and it's nice to think about getting dressed up and spending it attending a beautiful affair featuring a gorgeous bride, a great meal, good entertainment, a few drinks, and family -- in other words, the best side of life. However, I would know that I have to get up the next morning and deal with everything I left behind on Friday afternoon. I appreciate it when a Sunday bride ends her event by 9:00 PM at the latest. That's just my opinion. However long the wedding was, I would have to leave a Sunday wedding by 9:00 (maybe earlier if I drove more than a hour to get there).

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  • S&R
    Super September 2015
    S&R ·
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    Ours will be ceremony 3 PM - 3:30 PM

    cocktail hour 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

    reception 4:30 PM - 8:30/9 PM

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    ^^^Perfect^^^

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  • Jana
    Super April 2016
    Jana ·
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    I'm also doing a Sunday wedding

    We get to arrive at 2 in order to start getting ready and take any pre wedding family pics

    Ceremony 4-430

    Cocktail hour 430 - 530

    Dinner 530 - 630

    630-10 Reception

    I figured by sending out save-the-dates 6 months in advance anyone who wants to take that Monday off work has enough notice to do so and we'll be reserving a block of rooms even thought the venue is only 30 minutes to an hour drive at most for our family and friends. But then ending it at 10 still doesn't keep people out to late and allows people to leave at 9 without missing much as we'll be done with cake, main dances, garter/bouquet toss...

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    Good timeline, Jana. I'd still be leaving at 9:00, but I would so appreciate the fact that you considered that in your timeline and scheduled the highlights so that I wouldn't miss anything.

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  • ******
    Master February 2016
    ****** ·
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    We're on the Sunday where most people have a long weekend, but ours will be, as dictated by the venue.

    Ceremony 4:30 to 5:00

    Cocktail Hour 5:00 to 6:00

    Reception 6:00 to 9:30

    We'll have an after party at a bar near the hotel room block in case people who don't work or are here from OOT want to keep the night going.

    ETA Anything important will also be done early. We're even sending the photographer home at 9.

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  • Kristina
    Master September 2016
    Kristina ·
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    I am having a Saturday wedding from 1130-5 and I feel that would be perfect for a Sunday as well

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  • D
    Devoted May 2016
    dexlovely ·
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    We are having a Sunday wedding but it's a holiday weekend. We will start our wedding around 5:00pm and probably will end around 10ish... I think at the end of our reception, it'll be just relaxing, smores hour so people can leave earlier if they want.

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  • Lawmom
    VIP June 2015
    Lawmom ·
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    We did ceremony at 2p.m. Cocktail hour from 2:30p.m. -3:30p.m. Reception from 3:30pm -7:30pm. All dances, cake cutting ect were done by 6pm incase anyone needed to leave early. Almost nobody left early and a ton of guests went out afterwards. And everyone will tell you that you can't have a party atmosphere on Sunday but our guests definitely partied any longer and the bar would have run out of booze.

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    Kudos to the Sunday brides who posted. I looked at each of your timelines and I know I'd be totally ready to enjoy your weddings (have I mentioned how much I love and appreciate weddings -- whether they're on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? I'll do everything in my power to make room for these life affirming, love affirming, family centered events featuring a great meal, drinks, entertainment, and an opportunity to socialize with all the people I care about under one roof). I'm still waiting to attend my first Thursday night wedding, and if the couple starts the ceremony by 5:00 PM, I'd be there until 9:00 PM.

    Oh, and to those Sunday brides who are having their weddings on a Sunday before a Monday holiday -- think of this way -- you're a Saturday evening bride.

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  • SweetBean
    VIP November 2015
    SweetBean ·
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    My wedding and reception is between 2 and 7

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  • JS081615
    Super August 2015
    JS081615 ·
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    Our Sunday timeline is: ceremony 4-4:30, cocktail hour 4:30-5:30, reception 5:30-9:30

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  • Emma
    Beginner March 2016
    Emma ·
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    I am thinking for mine that it will be ceremony 11:30-12, cocktail hour 12-1, reception 1-5 or so. I really want a lunchtime/early afternoon reception. But also I will have several guests driving ~2.5 hours for the wedding so this gives them the option to drive home in the evening.

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  • Allison
    Expert August 2015
    Allison ·
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    Ours is ceremony time at 3/3:30 -4pm 4pm-5pm cocktail hour. 5pm, dinner is served. We are cutting the cake at 8, and ending at 9.

    We have some friends coming in from out of state, about 2 - 3 hours away, and I figured then those people would have the choice to take the day off on Monday, or drive back and be home by 11. Getting home by 11, I would be fine to go to work the next day, and our timeline allows those people to enjoy our day without being put out.

    Most of our family who is *really* out of state is having breakfast with us at the venue the next morning too, since they needed to stay over.

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