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Just Said Yes May 2026

What to do with hour gap between end of ceremony to start of cocktail hour?

Flannery, on November 15, 2024 at 5:25 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 4

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Hello!

our reception spot does not allow for us to begin cocktail hour until 5:30 and our ceremony (catholic church) will end around 4pm. the location from the church to the reception space is maybe a 5 minute walk.

what do i tell guests to do for the hour? especially since cocktails & passed snacks wont start until 5:30, id hate to send people off to spend money on food or drinks at a local bar. any advice would be much appreciated!

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4 Comments

Latest activity by Flannery, on May 1, 2026 at 10:51 AM

Legend July 2022
Lisa · on November 18, 2024 at 1:47 PM
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Are you able to move the ceremony start time back an hour, so that it ends around 5? A half hour gap would be much easier for guests than an hour and a half gap.
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Just Said Yes May 2026
Flannery · on November 18, 2024 at 3:39 PM
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Sadly no it’s a catholic ceremony and the latest the church could do on a friday is 3pm start
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Just Said Yes August 2027
Haley · on April 30, 2026 at 10:24 PM
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Hi, I am getting married in 2027 and have this same issue. What did you end up doing if you don’t mind me asking please?
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Just Said Yes May 2026
Flannery · on May 1, 2026 at 10:51 AM
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Hi!
To be completely honest with you, I truly don’t know what our guests did in between the end of our ceremony (4pm ish) to cocktail hour (5:30). I know some went and checked into our hotel block and others grabbed drinks at the hotel bar.
As silly as this sounds, I honestly forgot about this time gap we had due to the fact that myself, my now husband and our bridal party were off taking photos as we did not do any prior to the ceremony since we did not do a first look. On our wedding website, I did provide a list of popular spots around the area that our guests could’ve looked into. I apologize I can’t be more helpful! I hope you enjoy your wedding planning and the day itself - it truly flies by.
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