Weird gap between ceremony and reception

I would start feeding the guests early then. You could have passed apps during this time.

All you're serving for dinner is charcuterie boards? To me that's not dinner, that's your cocktail hour. There shouldn't be a gap between your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception unless you have a short commute between the ceremony and reception. You absolutely need to host something for those 45 minutes if it is all at the same location.

How long is your reception? Is it short (like 2 hours)? Is that why you're serving charcuterie boards?

I am lost on what your reception actually is, can you give us some more details?

Feed early, I hope this isn't during a meal time? I'd definitely have food/apps available for that amount of time. You could still have a cocktail hour which could trail into the reception with the DJ.

View Quoted Comment I agree with this.
Have a 45 minute cocktail 'hour' with light appetizers and bar access.

I’m hangry just reading this. Before you worry about the time gap, I’d get much more food. That’s not nearly enough, even if the reception is a cocktail party.

You have to serve more food than that. I would be too hungry to enjoy entertainment if that’s all you offer

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I agree with this! At my wedding, we had a lot of passed appetizers (we were told more than usual for our guest size) plus a charcuterie and cheese station and a brie wheel and my 40 guests demolished it. Fortunately my coordinator saved a plate for DH and me, but the tables where the charcuturie and cheese stations were had a few remnants here and there. This was between 4:30-5:30! I think people eat more at weddings, especially when the food is good and they're happy and relaxed. Just serving this type of food and nothing else at meal time is not enough, especially since it is hard to account for how many pieces per person. Someone might eat 10 chicken skewers when the allotment was 2 per person, etc. You can't really ration these.

What time is your ceremony and what time is the reception?

I agree with starting to feed guests early so there's no gap, as well as arranging for much more food. If you're having appetizers in place of dinner, there needs to be a lot of them. Lots of options and high quantities of each app. If there isn't enough food to fill guests up at dinner time, guests will have no choice but to start leaving early so they can go eat dinner.

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I totally agree with this. Your guests definitely need to be fed a lot more than what you're currently going to offer. I went to a great rehearsal dinner once that was only apps and mixed drinks, but the apps were pizza, chicken wings, quesadillas, skewers, mashed potatoes, cheese sticks, etc. All really heavy food and there was a lot of it. Just charcuterie boards aren't going to cut it.

View Quoted Comment My reception is a cocktail styled reception with ONLY finger foods and mixed drinks. It is not a dinner

View Quoted Comment My ceremony is at 3:30 and reception is 4:45-5pm

What ever happened to it being my day and if my guest think they’re going to hungry then they can accommodate for that! I will offer what I can and my budget is important to me.

Now let’s back to the topic.. the gap

View Quoted Comment I’m not understanding your timeline. Is there an error in it?

My ceremony’s will begin at 3:30pm then end around 4:00pm

4:00pm - 4:35pm is the time my guest will have to wait for me to take pictures

If you have that gap I think cocktail hour is neccessary.

Your guests shouldn’t have to “wait for you.” That’s rude. And they should be fed appropriately

I think you should close the gap and start serving food and drinks after you’re ceremony. It’ll be more enjoyable for your guests.

View Quoted Comment Your wedding is yours, but your reception is supposed to be a thank you to your guests.

If I was a guest coming to your wedding, only to realize I had to stand around without food or drink after the ceremony because you didn't want the reception to start while you were taking pictures, I'd be upset. Then to find out it's finger foods? Your guests being hungry isn't their problem like you suggest.

We're trying to help you by telling you what your guests won't.

View Quoted Comment Once a single guest is invited it's no longer your day. As a host you must take into consideration your guests comfort. Guests mustn't wait for you as you take photos without water, other beverages and food. What do you expect them to do? The ceremony is for you and your SO, that reception is to thank your guests for coming to witness your ceremony.
On topic: the gap-is not necessary, start serving apps and drinks straight away. How long is your reception?
3:30pm to 4:00pm ceremony
4:00pm to 4:45pm cocktail hour
4:45pm to 8:45pm reception