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Savvy August 2023

Wedding Reception End?

Lily, on October 23, 2021 at 9:52 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 2 13

Hello! After perusing the forums for a while now I've noticed a lot of people talking about their reception timelines. What has stuck out to me is the discussion surrounding the ending of a wedding. I've seen so many people mention that the normal time for a reception to end is between 9pm-11pm. Is this really the norm? Haha because every wedding I've ever been to has ended between 1-2am. Anyway, when is your wedding ending and do you have anything planned afterwards?

13 Comments

Latest activity by Lindsaylee, on November 16, 2021 at 1:28 PM
  • Fiona
    Super May 2024
    Fiona ·
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    We ended ours (well we left) about 10-10.30 as we were so tired after the day we had Smiley smile It was a great day just long and tiring Smiley smile. There was nothing after our reception either. People just helped us clean up and away they went Smiley smile.

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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    When does the wedding start? That is a bigger determining factor. Some start mid afternoon at 2-3pm and end at 6pm while others start at 8pm and end at 1-2am. The industry standard regardless is 5 hours max from the time you walk down the aisle, guests drive across town to reception venue and you have dinner and dancing. Anything longer than that period is considered “by the industry” too long and inconvenient for guests even if you extend it by 60 minutes. You can easily find vendors willing to work longer, but that won’t fly at an all inclusive venue.
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  • Bird
    Super June 2021
    Bird ·
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    We had a backyard wedding. Ceremony started at 3:30, people left around 10:30. We only had our band scheduled to perform from 4-9 but everyone was having such a great time that we asked them to play for another hour. Then we had a bonfire until 12am



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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    We left ours at 11:30PM, & a group of us went back to our house afterwards!
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  • C
    Master January 2019
    Cassidy ·
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    We ended ours at 8:45 (most of our guests were gone). We went home, opened presents, and went to bed!
    We had a super early flight the next morning.
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  • KYLIE
    Super May 2019
    KYLIE ·
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    I think a 9-11 pm ending is standard. I’ve never attended one that ended later. We had a 5 pm ceremony, hour and a half long cocktail hour and dinner from 7-9:30 pm. After the reception, guests who stayed off property (we got married at a hotel) left and headed back to their accommodations. Those who were staying at the hotel congregated at the bar and pool and kept partying.
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  • devotedlydavis
    Expert March 2022
    devotedlydavis ·
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    We only get our venue for 6 hours - not including the get ready bit. So our wedding will be 5-11 to accommodate.
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  • Becky
    Dedicated October 2022
    Becky ·
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    We have our venue for 5 hours. Our ceremony is at 4:30, which is based on sunset (about 1 hr before), and the reception ends at 9:30. This feels early to us, so we are going to have an afterparty, which will probably be just going out to bars downtown and open to anyone who still wants to party.

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  • L
    Savvy August 2023
    Lily ·
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    Interesting! Our ceremony starts at around 2/230 and then there is a two hour wait in between for them to set up for the reception. The reception will then start at around 530/6 and probably go until 1 or 2am.

    I guess it's a regional thing! I'm from northern Canada so maybe our weddings just go later? Haha

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  • Samantha
    Super May 2022
    Samantha ·
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    Really depends on the vibe of the couple. My first wedding went to midnight, then we all went to a bar to keep up the party. This wedding, we are older and its just an immediate family thing, so I can see everyone leaving by 10.

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  • Chloe
    Devoted February 2022
    Chloe ·
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    I was also surprised that the weddings written about here tend to end so early! At every wedding I've ever been to, reception ended at 2am at the earliest, although some guests left around midnight. But I think it's a cultural thing, just go with what your crowd is used to and you'll be fine.
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  • T
    Just Said Yes September 2022
    Turnicia ·
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    Our wedding will start at 12:30pm and end between 5:00pm-6:00pm. It is a 90 minute drive for most, including us, so we are having an early wedding for those that are not staying at a hotel near the venue.

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  • Lindsaylee
    Beginner August 2023
    Lindsaylee ·
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    Because I am doing mine on my dads land we are gonna have an after party at a bonfire closer to the house. We aren't allowed to play music loud after 11.

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