Weddingbee boards

What does everyone think of having a 1:00 ceremony and a 6:00pm reception?  The church we would like to getting married in is only available at 1:00 on our date. 

The plus side is that we would have plenty of time for pictures after the ceremony and would not have to miss a second of the reception.  The downside is that we may end up having a lot of guests (not staying in the city) skip the ceremony...

Definitely agree, the longer the time in between the ceremony & reception, the more likely people will skip one or the other.  Obviously, the people who really need to be there will be at both. 

But for most guests, that is a really long day.  If you factor in getting ready time and travel, they will start at noon which means at least an 8-12 hour day which is a lot to ask of guests (especially ones with kids that require babysitters).

If your heart is set on the two locations and times, just be OK with knowing that not everyone will be at both events.

Thanks to everyone for your advice!  Unfortuntely, changing the date is not an option.  It seems, my only options are to either move the reception (cocktail hour) up to 5:00 or get married at a different church at 3:00p.m.

Would your venue do a luncheon instead?  4 hours is a really long time betweeen events.  Luncheos are often less expensive because the food is lighter and people drink less.  You could provide a snack later so that the party could last longer or you could use your money to move on to another location for an after party, a club or restaurant with music and perhaps a private area where you could provide some appetizers.

You could organize a tour of the area or some other type of event to pass the time in between.  Perhaps a light lunch at a room at the hotel for people to snack on (trays of sandwiches and maybe salad) while they socialize.  This way people are kept engaged witht he other guests and want to continue to spend time with them.

Both the ceremony and reception are in Philadelphia.  So, assuming the weather is nice (fingers crossed) there is plenty to do and see for an hour or two in between. 

We are also planning an after party.  Did I mention it is also my 34th birthday!   A lot of guests are already planning on spending the night at one of the area hotels. 

I'm considering suzanno's suggestion of separating the ceremony and reception on the rsvp card.  The more I think about it, the more I realize that the people most important to us will be at both events regardless of where or when they are....

We'd be in CC, Philadelphia.  The church we love is right off of Rittenhouse Square and only a few blocks form our reception site.  I'm trying to rationalize that our guests will take a walk through the park, making their way back to their hotels, where they can freshen up or maybe even change before the reception. 

I guess I could ask our parents to host the aunts/uncles and guests not staying in the city to a drink or some light snacks at the hotel bar.....

Our ceremony location is TBD, but the reception will be at The Racquet Club

Our ceremony location is TBD, but the reception will be at The Racquet Club

were getting married in old city. our original plan/ time left us with tons of time in between bc we're stuck w a 10am ceremony time. originally we planned a receiving line after the ceremony, followed by some light snacks in the church courtyard with mingling, then a trolley tour for guests. that still left people fending for their own lunch and a few hrs of wandering but since were in old city i figured people would want to sight see. in hind sight im really glad we DIDNT do that bc people from out of town would definitely have left the city early or not come into town at all. luckily things worked out bc the place we liked best for the reception was only available from 12-5.  so altho it wasnt the plan, we ended up w an afternoon reception & are planning another party for 7:30. now everyone is staying for a few days & philly tourism board owes me a commission or something ;)  anyway, i would work on looking at other churches to limit that time, bc as ive heard from my own guests, close family included, they would NOT have been happy wandering around in the summer heat waiting for a reception, and personally i think going back to your hotel is rather anti-climatic to such an exciting event. BUT if you dont want to switch churches, and dont want to move the reception up, and budget isnt too tight, i think you can work with the schedule to provide some inbetween entertainment. as long as the activity doesnt get guests too tired or too drunk, youll be okay for a dance happy reception!

I have been looking for reception venues in Philly that will let us start by 4:30.  I have a 3:00pm wedding at the Basilica and do not want any sort of break in between.  Most of my family lives in the burbs or Delaware and will not be at a hotel.  They will not get the long break in between, and will probably go home. It has been hard to find a place that will let you in before 6.  Or at least the places that I want

From what I am hearing, it is a good thing that we booked the Church first. 

Where is everyone (that are getting married in Philly) having their reception?

Yogigal:  I'm jealous that you're getting married at the Basilica! 

I've been to a few weddings with big breaks in between and I have to say that a large number of people skip the ceremony.  If you're comfortable with that, then go for it.

Don't worry angiepangie, and definitely don't let anyone talk you into a ceremony location or time that you don't want.  Not even your FMIL.  Can you have your ceremony at your reception venue?  If you're looking for a church, i'm sure you'll find one within the city.

I've personally started to consider other churches that can have a 3:00 ceremony (most won't do it any later than that, due to Staurday evening services) and and will probably move the reception to 5:30

By the time the ceremony is over, everyone has filed out of the church, said hello to family and friends also at the ceremony, and either walks or drives and parks for the reception, it'll be 5:00 anyway!  Guests can start to arrive a few minutes early and chat before the bar and food officially open.

Also, most of my girlfriends are already married and they all said I'll be glad to have a few minutes after pictures to have a quiet moment with my new husband and freshen up before the reception.

I'm ok with people skipping the ceremony (those who are truly important will be there no matter what) I am concerned that people will get bored and skip the reception while waiting in the city....

We booked the church like two weeks after being engaged, so we lucked out.  The wedding isn't until June '09, so I have some time to decide on the venue. (I think?) 

Top of The Tower and Independence Visitor Center will let me in before 5.  That seems to be it.   The Fuel House is flexible too, but they are so expensive!

The other thing, we are not having a full mass (I'm not catholic) so I worry that it will be over before 4. 

We're not having a full mass either.  The ceremony will still be at least 45 minutes to an hour long.  Our wedding is April '09 and we just recently booked our reception site.  We were not entirely sure about having it in Philly, which is why we have not booked a church until now.

I would try to book your reception in the next momth or two, while you still have plenty of choices.  I like partyspace.com for venue searching.  It's all Philly/PA locations.

i've been to several weddings under the same circumstances and i've usually opted to skip the ceremony but go to the reception.

hey angie, we're having our reception at the DTC too! dont compromise on time for outdoor pics bc come on, youre in old city, there are so many awesome opportunities for great shots. on the other hand, ive seen great pics of ceremonies in the ballroom & it looks really good, but our ceremony is at a church a few blocks away.

side note: are you getting your cake from one of their bakers or bringing in your own?