Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Expert July 2019

Time between ceremony and cocktail hour?

Cara, on May 22, 2018 at 10:08 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 11

Saved

Flag
Hide content

We are having our wedding ceremony in a Catholic Church and the cocktail hour/reception at a nearby hotel ballroom. How long is too long between the end of the ceremony and the start of cocktail hour? Right now (due to mass times at the church) it’s looking like the ceremony will end at 3 and the cocktail hour will start at 4:30. It is in downtown Pittsburgh so there are a lot of options for things to do in the area as well as a bar in the hotel lobby for people to hang out at. We will also have a number of guests staying in the hotel that will need to check into their rooms. Is an hour and a half an okay time frame between the two? I don’t want to inconvenience guests with too much downtown but I’m not sure how to shorten the time frame due to venue timings.

Flag
Hide content

11 Comments

Latest activity by MrsD, on May 23, 2018 at 11:00 AM

Just Said Yes January 2019
Raechale · on May 22, 2018 at 10:30 PM
Flag

Hide content
We have been to many weddings where the was a2 hour cal because of the same reason and it was fine. We walked around n grabbed pre drinks at a local bar.
- Reply
Devoted November 2023
Crystal · on May 23, 2018 at 12:04 AM
Flag

Hide content
Just be sure to let people know ahead of time so they can skip the ceremony if they prefer.
- Reply
Expert September 2018
Nicole · on May 23, 2018 at 5:53 AM
Flag

Hide content
Anything longer than the amount of time it takes to drive from one place to another is too long. Once the wedding starts, you need to host your guests from beginning to end. No one is going to want to explore downtown with a fancy dress on. See if you can push the cocktail hour up until 330.
- Reply
0000
Mim · on May 23, 2018 at 6:29 AM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
---this---
- Reply
Expert October 2018
Sara · on May 23, 2018 at 8:48 AM
Flag

Hide content
How long does it take to get from the ceremony location to the hotel?
- Reply
Expert July 2019
Cara · on May 23, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Probably about 15 minutes. But a lot of the guests will need to stay after the ceremony for oictures
- Reply
Expert October 2018
Sara · on May 23, 2018 at 9:13 AM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Can you bump up the cocktail hour at all? Even 30 minutes would help.
- Reply
VIP July 2018
The Nuptials · on May 23, 2018 at 9:13 AM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Is this a super small wedding with vip family members only? If not you definitely need to host something for those who are stuck for atleast an hour.

no one wants to explore or pay for drinks that should be hosted. When I’m dressed up I was to get to where I’m going, not hang around.
- Reply
Savvy June 2019
NR12 · on May 23, 2018 at 10:45 AM
Flag

Hide content
I personally think it's fine, but I was raised Catholic, have been to a bunch of Catholic weddings where there was a "Catholic gap" between the ceremony and reception, and I will also be having a couple of hours between the end of our ceremony and the beginning of the reception. I don't think it's a big deal and to me, hanging out in the hotel bar or even grabbing a quick nap would be fine.
- Reply
Expert July 2019
Cara · on May 23, 2018 at 10:54 AM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Thank you! Both of our families are Catholic so the “Catholic gap” is something that they’re used to. The cocktail room will be open prior to 4:30 the bar and food just won’t be available until that time. Unless guests go to the hotel bar.
- Reply

Legend July 2019
MrsD · on May 23, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Flag

Hide content
Could you start cocktail hour earlier? If not, I'd tell the guest on the invites about the hour and a half, so they know to plan to do something else.
- Reply

20 Ways to Decorate the Aisle for an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony — Wedding Ceremony 20 Ways to Decorate the Aisle for an Outdoor Wedding... Set the scene for a beautiful vow exchange on your big day with these...

Wedding Songs & Music 43 Wedding Prelude Songs to Kickstart Your Ceremony Greet your guests with a soundtrack of wedding prelude songs as they begin...

Wedding Songs & Music 34 Wedding Recessional Songs to Conclude Your Ceremony Celebrate your brand-new status as newlyweds with these cheerful wedding...

Post content has been hidden

Time between ceremony and cocktail hour?

11 Comments

Related articles