The order of things for the not so 30 minute ceremony

My pastor gave us a template he uses and it had so many religious things on it I wrote a version of it that cut many things out. At the end of the day it is your ceremony and you get to write your story

I don't know about speeding up the process, as I'm not really religious, and we aren't having a religious ceremony.

However, as to the timing, entertaining your guests, and the program, I can ask this: are you having what is typically called a "cocktail hour"? This is the hour or so between ceremony and reception, where the couple and bridal party are usually taking pictures and the guests make their way to the reception, where they can enjoy cocktails and hors d'ouvres, until the couple is finished with pictures and are announced at the reception. You didn't mention your reception at all, so I'm wondering if you're doing something like this? Are the ceremony and reception at the same place? If not, then guests will spend part of that time travelling to the reception location.

On your program, I would call this interlude, "Cocktail Hour" and leave it at that. I hope that helps. I'm not really sure I answered your question.

View Quoted Comment A template would be awesome. I didn’t even think to ask our pastor. I automatically assumed he’ll read from the little black book of vows and viola. But sometimes that can go very long with added prayer and scripture and side jokes as most preachers tend to do these days.

Thanks for this

View Quoted Comment You answered my question beautifully. Our reception as noted will start at 3ish if we can get the ceremony done within the hour starting at 1pm and pictures taken at 2pm.
A cocktail hour of mingling is left wide open, from 2-3pm, but no finger foods or snacks because low key and honestly, our timeframe to us denotes a lunch style wedding and not a dinner service. Within our budget, we can feed the masses lunch, and the typical teas, water and lemonade as we don’t drink, but I guess the real question is, do we leave it up to the DJ for that one hour or leave it up to a gamesmaster to get some mingling done with the family?

If the pastor is right on time and if the heavens open up and everything goes off according to plan, I’m hoping to have a 45min ceremony cutting down that portion and then leaving pictures for the remaining time until reception.

It’s just having so much time in between even if we cut will seem ridiculously long for guests but if we keep to the hour long schedule, it’s still going to be long for guests. Do we shave off time or keep time? Either way, the production of this event is looking more and more like a Broadway show with an intermission

Are the ceremony and reception at the same location? There's going to be a gap between our ceremony and reception while we take photos but there's also travel time between the two locations so that cuts down on awkward standing around time for guests.

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If you have a DJ, then yes, I would leave it up to him to keep guests happy and entertained during that hour. It goes by pretty fast, I think. If you can ensure that your guests have something to drink at least (non-alcoholic is fine), and they will mostly just mingle while they wait. But the DJ can put on some music (even if the dance floor is not open yet--just for background). Guests know that the bride and groom and their wedding party usually take pictures right after the ceremony, so most people know there will be a bit of a wait. But if you can manage to shave off some time from the ceremony, that always helps. Sounds like you're looking to do that anyway. Good luck!!

Awesome advice. Thank you. And enjoy

View Quoted Comment Ceremony and reception are at the same location thankfully. Gotta love church halls directly behind the building. My guests need only walk 6 literal steps. That’s my main blessing. I will talk with the DJ and maybe get a pre- dance going on. Alcohol will not be served but we could bust out the regular drinks so everybody has something in their hand. Thanks

We also had a traditional religious ceremony that was one hour. We included things such as a ring blessing and a reverse unity candle lighting ceremony. After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour before the reception began. We had a solo guitarist play during cocktail hour and our guests enjoyed mingling during this time. The programs don't need to go into detail but just guide the guests through the order of events.

I like your font. Do you remember which font you chose?

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Not sure if you're replying to my post, but in case you are, then no I don't know the font used. I had all my wedding paper custom designed and printed from the shop on Etsy I used for my invitation suite. It is called Pretty Lil Notes.

Yes..thank you. This was a big help.