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Dedicated October 2019

What time should a Saturday wedding start?

Mandi, on February 24, 2019 at 6:15 PM Posted in Planning 0 7
A little background, we are renting an entire estate with a house, cliff for ceremony, and barn for reception Thursday-Tuesday the week of our wedding and have complete run of the grounds during the whole time so no venue restrictions at all. Mosy of our guests will be driving 1.5-3 hours to attend. There are many options for accommodations there but we are sure many will still drive back that night. For that reason, we had the ceremony starting at 2 and reception everything at 8 to give people time to get home before midnight. But the more I talk to people, the more they say that it's odd to have a Saturday wedding so early and that our guests who want to drive can leave early if it gets too late. For me, the later the better. I want sunset photos and sunset doesn't even start until 7:20 that day. So whaaaat do you think? 4 or 5 instead of 2?

7 Comments

Latest activity by MrsD, on February 25, 2019 at 11:31 AM
  • N
    Expert August 2019
    N ·
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    I think 3 or 4 is better. Not too late or early and likely no rushing around on your part.
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  • A
    Super September 2019
    Anna ·
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    Are these your guests that feel it’s weird? If you have cousins or family members you can talk to I would ask them. Most Saturday weddings do start later around 4 or 5 with dinner as late as 7. Have guests told you they’ll be driving back after? If I was going even an hour away for a wedding I would stay overnight somewhere 15 min away that I can Uber to and from.

    i personally don’t think it’s weird to start earlier. Our ceremony is at 3 while dinner starts at 5. My dad has diabetes and needs to eat on a schedule so we’re doing it earlier. Plus we’ll be flying out in the morning so we don’t want the reception to go late at all
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  • Courtney
    Super September 2019
    Courtney ·
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    Usually a Saturday wedding would go later than 8. If people are driving back then can leave whenever they think is best for them to get home. Those that are making a weekend out of it and staying over may be disappointed to be back at the hotel for 8:30. I think starting at 3 or 4 and ending at 10 sounds good.
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  • T
    Super June 2019
    Tiffany ·
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    We’re having a 3:30 ceremony. Right in the middle of early afternoon and evening. Our live band will start at 8, and we assume that most folks with kids etc will be winding down by then.
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  • M
    Dedicated October 2019
    Mandi ·
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    Thanks everyone! I'm thinking 4 would be perfect. Smiley smile
    I've only ever been to Sunday weddings which are so much earlier, so I guess I just assumed!
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  • K
    Dedicated August 2019
    Katy ·
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    We’re having a 3:30 ceremony and everyone will leave right from there to the reception venue while we stay and do pictures
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Our Saturday wedding starts at 5 and ends at 11. Don't you think some guests will stay in the area at a hotel?

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