Thoughts. Timing for a 1pm wedding

IMO a 3:30 reception seems too early for me if you are serving dinner. your guest would end up eating 4:30 5, I would maybe start the reception an hour later, how long do you have you venue for?

I have the same issue!

I was really concerned about the "Catholic Gap" too, we also want an evening reception. We are doing all of our photos after the ceremony, so it works great for us, but I want to keep our guests entertained as well.

We decided in our programs at the ceremony, to include a list of local attractions and things for our guests to do before heading to the reception.

1pm-2pm: Ceremony

2pm-2:30: Mingle at the chuch- Bride and Groom send off, guest leave the church.

2:30pm-4:30pm: Guests are on their own (they can refer to list of activities or do whatever they want), wedding party does pictures at the church and then around town.

4:30pm- 5:00pm: Cocktail hour at reception venue

5:00pm: Reception begins, wedding party arrives

5:30pm: Dinner served

We have the venue all day. The reception will be over by 10 or 11 regardless. We're old LOL

melissa - I was leaning toward the same thing - different sites around town. There isn't a ton to do, but enough.

I like the idea of having guests can go to different sites around town or just relax. I'm bumping this to help @We'llAlwaysHaveParis out!

Well im doing an 1130am wedding time as the church n pics then the venue will be from 130-430 then we are having an after party at our home in our yard starting at 8pm so i think that a 1pm wedding is fine it just depends on how long you want your guest to party hope this hlps

130-230 wedding no greeting line.

230-330 pictures guests will go have snacks drinks at venue. We are having madlibs at each seat. The venue is a lake setting and plenty to see and do outside.

345 bride and groom arrive.

415 cut the cake so it can be served after dinner.

considering first and father daughter dance before dinner.

Chat mingle dinner at 5 promptly.

DJ music from 230 no matter if the place is empty or not. and he will play til 11:00 if we want. Of course the cost is extra but if there is 1 person dancing we will pay.

Wedding and reception at same location

some guests/wedding attendents have 2 hour drive

1pm wedding ceremony

1:45pm photo shoot

2pm reception, catered (late lunch)

3pm toast by best man

3:15 first dance

4pm cake cut

4:30 throw bouquet

6pm music ends

6:30pm wedding breakdown and cleanup