Wedding reception ending at 9pm?

Dang, that sucks

I won't say its lame.. but that will go by VERY quickly. What time are you serving dinner?

My wedding reception FLEW by, I wanted it to last forever

They didn't tell you this when you booked??

My reception ended at 9pm, however we had it at a bowling alley so people could still hang out and most of us moved into the bar area and stayed until closing at 1am. Especially for a Sunday I think 9pm is good with the start time of 4:30. People will still want to go home and get a good night's sleep, those working in retail or an office that doesn't close for Memorial day will have work the next day. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Can you host an after party somewhere?

My reception will be ending at 8pm. It is what it is. We are planning on doing a little barnhopping afterwards for those that still want to celebrate.

I was thinking of doing dinner 6pm, with 6:30pm first dance then cake and music from 7-8:30pm. The good thing is I will do first look, so I won't take time away to do lots of pics and it's not going to be a dancing type of wedding, just mellowed out and people talking, kind of like backyard wedding. Just sad that I didn't realize this stuff beforehand

I had a small 50 person wedding and most guests left by 9pm. I think the band played util 9:15 and then packed it in because everyone was leaving anyways. Our ceremony was at 5 and dinner was served at 6pm. Dancing didn't start until 7pm. Some guests had kids they wanted to get into bed and others just weren't into partying all night. I didn't think it was lame and obviously neither did my guests. Perhaps have an informal after party close by for those who want to keep partying?

You guys could always do an "after party" sort of thing. Are you guys near any bars/diner/night life?

Sorry you are just now finding out about this.

I'm kind of in the same boat. My reception will end at 9:30-ish. Technically we have the venue until 10:30 but the ceremony starts at 2 so I guess my problem is that it just seems like such a long day!

We don't even start dancing until 9pm! I love living in a city with 4am bar closing sometimes!

I would def look into an after party location to make the night last longer!

Haven't really thought about after party, wasn't really thinking about it because we weren't trying to spend more $$ than we already did..

@Hannah, you story makes me feel a little better! I'm not really wanting an after party cause we're not really party people anyway but I just don't want people to think it's lame.

My father actually suggested ending our reception at 9:30pm as opposed to 11pm. We're choosing not to do that, but I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with it.

@Cathy, seems like that's what people suggested. That's a good idea, not sure if I'm going to do it though.

We are ending at 8:00 p.m., we however will be following up with a three hour bonfire. However, sometimes going too late and too long isn't a good thing. When I have been to receptions that go until 10 or later most people really have left by 9 or 9:30 so I think it's fine to go until 9:00.

Ive been to weddings that ended before 10, and usually the guests who want to keep partying just move it to a bar

My ceremony starts at 530 and we will leave at 1030. I planned it that way because FH and I have to be up super early the following morning to catch our plane for the Honeymoon. We are doing first look photos so we can get right to the party after the ceremony. I think it's all about how you plan your day.

@Nik and Kelsey, thanks ladies you make me feel better about it!! I think since it's only family, I think i'll be ok. If people want to do stuff after, then they can do whatever they want.

It's not lame at all and don't worry about what your guests think...it's your day! My ceremony starts at 4:30 and our send-off is at 8:30 due to us only having the venue through 9:00 pm. I'm planning on doing a first look to save a little time and just going to savor every last minute. Then we're high tailing it to our hotel suite!

I'd just do a word of mouth afterparty at a casual bar, so you don't have to pay for an additional expense. Contact the bar in advance and ask if they can reserve a few tables or small room for your party, then ask if they can provide any drink specials for your group. Whoever wants to continue partying after the reception can head there and pay as they go...as long as it's clear this is not a "hosted" event, you're well within etiquette not to foot the bill.

Not lame at all. It's your day, enjoy it! If there's a beach nearby, maybe check to see if you can have a bonfire there.

That is my exact timeline, on the same day! I do not have a problem ending the festivities at 9pm, since some guests may have to work on Monday. We are considering having an after-party. FH really wants one, but I'm pretty certain we will be exhausted. So ... we'll see.