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Devoted May 2023

Wedding Length

Ebony, on February 22, 2023 at 5:16 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 1 25

Hello Ladies Smiley heart

I'm having a non traditional destination wedding. My fiancé and I are having some technicalities but not to many, it's helping with the stress, pressure, and we're not the traditional type of couple.

But what I am concerned about is the length of the reception Smiley ups From start to finish (ceremony-reception) the length is 4 hours long. Ceremony start at 5pm, reception starts at 6pm and end at 9pm. Is that to short?

Of course we want people to enjoy themselves and I know we all are but I just don't want the guest to feel rushed. A little background if this helps you figure out the question: It's only going to be about 10-12 guest (3-4 being children 10 and under), we're going to be on an island so I don't want my guest getting to hot and bothered (even though I doubt they do), and we plan on doing something after which will last till about 11-12am (so kind of like a post reception party).

This might sound bad but I want to be able to get up and enjoy the next day since our honeymoon is going to be officially started and I also want to be able to spend some time with my newly husbandSmiley ring But I NEED HELLPPP..

How would y'all feel as my guest with the length being 4 hours???

25 Comments

Latest activity by Ebony, on March 1, 2023 at 12:07 PM
  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    I think this is definitely enough time for the amount of guests you are hosting.
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  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    I think that’s fine. The average wedding is typically 5-5.5 hours long, so it isn’t much shorter than that.
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Ok great ! Thanks 😊
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Yea you’re right ! Thank you ❤️
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  • Erin
    Super May 2022
    Erin ·
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    That sounds ok! Most receptions are normally 4 hours long, sometimes they’re 5. Mine was 5 and I actually wish we had done 4 instead. We had about 98 guests but most left early 😳
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Oh wow I’m kinda happy we’re doing 4 hours now 😂based off the replies I feel we made the right decision ❤️🥰I know a few people who’s wedding was about 8 hours. It became boring and I ended up leaving early too.
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  • Taylor
    VIP October 2022
    Taylor ·
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    Ours was 6 hours start to finish. 4PM ceremony, 4:30- to around 5:15 cocktail hour, then we did introductions and first dance with reception and dinner running from around 5:30-10. We had 48 guests and all stayed the full time. I think with such a small amount of guests 4 hours is plenty
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Thank you 😊 I do believe depending on how many guest you have depends on the time. Since you had 48 people I think that was a good enough time for everyone to interact and get to know each other a bit more.
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  • C
    Just Said Yes October 2023
    Carolyn ·
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    I think that is long enough
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    I agree, thanks 😊
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  • C
    CM ·
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    That’s plenty long. Large afternoon weddings in catering venues in my area are often this length and are for a lot more people. Evenings are generally an extra hour, also for a lot of guests.
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    That makes sense. Thank you 😊
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  • Jasmine
    Just Said Yes April 2024
    Jasmine ·
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    I believe 4 hours is more than enough time! For my wedding I was thinking around the same thing, I don’t ever want it to feel dragged out. (Even though, it’s you and your fiancés day and it doesn’t really matter what they think ☺️)
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    You’re absolutely correct 🥰but I’ve also been the type of person to try to be as flexible as possible for the people I love. Especially when it’s something small like this…
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    4hours is the industry standard and they say that you can fit everything in that time frame. Some groups consider that super short and don’t feel that they can fit ceremony, greeting guests, cocktail hour, dinner, 3 hours of dancing, plus any optional toasts and other festivities into that short amount of time. Hence the reason why after parties at another location for an additional expense are a popular trend instead of asking the venue for more hours. In most cases, as long as it’s not an all inclusive venue which are very strict by nature, the extra hours are cheaper than transportation plus rental fees and catering costs at the additional venue.
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    That make sense. We made a timeline and we are able to fit everything and not making it feel rushed
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  • Susan
    Just Said Yes August 2023
    Susan ·
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    That sounds just right! & if people want to continue having fun, you have thst worked out too!
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Ok break thanks 😊
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  • P
    Just Said Yes June 2023
    Portia ·
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    Hello,
    I honestly think that’s ample of time, especially since kids will be joining you all. It’s an intimate setting. I don’t see anything wrong. However, this is YOU & YOUR SOON TO BE HUSBAND WEDDING. Do what you feel
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    I’m definitely keeping the kids in mind. I don’t want them to get tired and cranky 😂😂😂but we’ll be on a beach so I think they’ll be fine…as you’re absolutely correct, we definitely want to do 4 hours. We’re just ready to celebrate 🎉
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