I'm in love with Greystone, but am torn between it's beauty and it's 8pm closing time. If I must end at 8pm, that means dinner must be served at 4pm, if not 3pm. As a guest, would you feel awkward/unhappy eatting at 4 or 3pm? Would it inconvenience you too much? Should I just look for a different venue?
If I know that food is served at 3 or 4pm, then I would plan accordingly and have brunch at 10 or 11am (depending on your ceremony time). But if I didn't know, then I wouldn't be hungry enough if I ate lunch or starving if I thought it was a lunch reception and didn't eat breakfast. I can't say I've ever been inconvenienced by party food...no matter what time. =)
Thanks for your response. It's such a relief knowing that it's not poor ettiquette and knowing that other brides will do/have done it too! Thank you both, Yach & TallBride!!!
BTW, TallBride, with reception starting that early, will you have dancing? Do you think guests will dance that early in the evening? We are trying to incorporate dancing between courses to hinder the typical "eat and run" guests. Do you think guests will start dancing as early as 4 or 5 pm?
No need to worry. Our venue has noise laws that we must be done by 9:00pm. So our ceremony starts at 3, cocktails at 4pm, and dinner at 5pm. Yes, its a bit early, but as long as guests are aware in advance, it should be fine. We'lll be serving a full meal, but I'm emphasizing lighter food (seafood, salads, no heavy mashed potatoes) so guests don't feel gross having an early heavy meal. You're fine!
We were going to do all of the father-daughter, first dance, etc while the guests were eatting dinner. Then have dancing around 6:30. Our wedding is in January so it gets dark earlier I hope they dance, if not Oh Well :e)
People will dance no matter what time it is at a party. Just make sure the music is good and the MC knows how to get a party going!
As for having dinner early, just make sure you let people know ahead of time. Like Yach said, guests will plan their meals accordingly if they know dinner will be early. I know my family usually eats early during holidays. Usually Easter, Christmas and the like we have our big meals around 3-4pm.
I think you're good to go. Try not to stress too much, and remember to have fun in the process! Good luck.
I'm in love with Greystone, but am torn between it's beauty and it's 8pm closing time. If I must end at 8pm, that means dinner must be served at 4pm, if not 3pm. As a guest, would you feel awkward/unhappy eatting at 4 or 3pm? Would it inconvenience you too much? Should I just look for a different venue?
posted by cvanavi 3 months agoIf I know that food is served at 3 or 4pm, then I would plan accordingly and have brunch at 10 or 11am (depending on your ceremony time). But if I didn't know, then I wouldn't be hungry enough if I ate lunch or starving if I thought it was a lunch reception and didn't eat breakfast. I can't say I've ever been inconvenienced by party food...no matter what time. =)
posted by Yach 3 months agowe are kind of in the same situtaion. My venue allows us to have 5 hours but latest ceremony can preformed at 2... so all over by 8:30 :e(
Our ceremony is at 2pm (mass so it'll be long)
Cocktail hour 3:30-4:30
probably squeeze in our slide show and thank you's to our guests.
then dinner served at 5
dancing, cake blah blah blah
We are going to take pictures before the ceremony so we can enjoy our reception and help move things along.
posted by TallBride 3 months agoThanks for your response. It's such a relief knowing that it's not poor ettiquette and knowing that other brides will do/have done it too! Thank you both, Yach & TallBride!!!
BTW, TallBride, with reception starting that early, will you have dancing? Do you think guests will dance that early in the evening? We are trying to incorporate dancing between courses to hinder the typical "eat and run" guests. Do you think guests will start dancing as early as 4 or 5 pm?
posted by cvanavi 3 months agoNo need to worry. Our venue has noise laws that we must be done by 9:00pm. So our ceremony starts at 3, cocktails at 4pm, and dinner at 5pm. Yes, its a bit early, but as long as guests are aware in advance, it should be fine. We'lll be serving a full meal, but I'm emphasizing lighter food (seafood, salads, no heavy mashed potatoes) so guests don't feel gross having an early heavy meal. You're fine!
posted by Robyn171 3 months agoWe were going to do all of the father-daughter, first dance, etc while the guests were eatting dinner. Then have dancing around 6:30. Our wedding is in January so it gets dark earlier I hope they dance, if not Oh Well :e)
posted by TallBride 3 months agoIf the early end time is a concern, could you budget for an afterparty elsewhere?
posted by CarolineG 3 months agoPeople will dance no matter what time it is at a party. Just make sure the music is good and the MC knows how to get a party going!
As for having dinner early, just make sure you let people know ahead of time. Like Yach said, guests will plan their meals accordingly if they know dinner will be early. I know my family usually eats early during holidays. Usually Easter, Christmas and the like we have our big meals around 3-4pm.
I think you're good to go. Try not to stress too much, and remember to have fun in the process! Good luck.
posted by MissCamera 3 months ago