Post # 17
Member
340 posts
Helper bee
Oiii, I think if the guests had something to bide their time it wouldn’t be AS bad. However, last year I attended a wedding where the ceremony was at 11AM and probably wasn’t longer than a half hour, and the reception didn’t start til 6, and we didn’t eat until 9!! It was even more stressful that it was 90+ degrees out, the ceremony was outside, and we couldn’t go into the reception hall until it officially began. We were all pretty stressed with that and by the time the reception began, we were exhausted.
Post # 18
Member
779 posts
Busy bee
@mmm_jacklyn: that’s my exact situation! I sort of am stuck between a rock and a hard place because I can’t have the ceremony too late and I sort of got the reception site because it was so beautiful in the evening. So I sort of have to so the gap. I just want to know what I can do to make it more bearable for guests.
Post # 19
Member
2947 posts
Sugar bee
Its too long of a gap!
People will probably arrival early to the reception and then have to just stand around.
The last wedding I went to there was 2.5 hour in between and that felt like ages. They had finger food and drinks served but only after waiting for almost 2 hours. We were all getting bored and hot as we had to remain outside. Not a great start to the night:(
Post # 20
Member
47429 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@maya2008: Realistically, no one is going to start a reception at 4:15. That would mean dinner being served about 5 pm. Toddlers might like it, but for most adults it would be far too early.
@FisherQueen: I agree with you, that’s why it wouldn’t be an issue for me.
Post # 21
Member
3274 posts
Sugar bee
I don’t like gaps but since it’s so long guests will likely go home or to their hotel, relax and go to the reception later if they’re close by. But expect some people to only come to the reception because of the gap. Not having a gap was a hugee part of my timeline planning and we are having the reception immediately following the church ceremony.
Post # 22
Member
10450 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
If I was a guest at your wedding we’d just go to a pub in between for snacks and drinks. I’ve done this for friends weddings before and it’s totally fine. It’s actually one of my favorite parts of the day – just relaxing with friends in a casual atmosphere.
Post # 23
Member
236 posts
Helper bee
@julies1949: I have been to two weddings where the receptions began around 4:30pm. Dinner was served closer to 5:30pm. But then again, they were receptions of my cultural heritage and a lot of activities/introductions and the such occur before dinner is served.
@silkspectre94: Anyway the ceremony can be moved to 1:30 or 2:00pm?
Post # 24
Member
779 posts
Busy bee
@Elrodien: wow! Well that’s waaaay too long of a gap. Its not like I don’t care about my guests, again, I’m only now just starting to map out the schedule. thanks for the input Though! I vow to never make my guests wait that long haha
Post # 25
Member
1176 posts
Bumble bee
Four hours to travel 25 minutes and take some pictures seems a little excessive. Why can’t cocktail hour start while you’re taking pictures? It seems really inconsiderate to ask your guests to get all dressed up and then cool their heels for so long.
Post # 26
Member
244 posts
Helper bee
That is a big gap, but I think you have a few options.
You could arrange for your reception site to have a room available for guests to relax (like a conference or meeting room, not a hotel room). There, you could have some lights refreshments and maybe something for them to kill time — like those question and answer games (like “would you rather” or something like that). That might sound weird, but I think you could do it classy and wedding-like. (I suggest a separate room because I don’t think I’d want people hanging out in the reception area before it starts!)
Alternatively, just be sure to have a list of available things to do — maybe list a few relaxed locations near the reception site where they can grab a drink.
I think as long as you have an option for them that, although it’s not ideal, you can make it work. I’ve been to plenty of weddings with long gaps — some so long I went home and changed in between the wedding and reception. You won’t be the first or the last bride to do this!
Post # 27
Member
9875 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
That’s a huge gap IMO. I’d try to work the timing closer together, or arrange for someone to host people at their home for some drinks and finger foods in between or something.
Post # 28
Member
779 posts
Busy bee
@bebero: maybe a later ceremony wouldn’t be terrible.. But I don’t know about taking the pictures and seeing the groom before the wedding Thing :S I know it sounds selfish but I don’t know if I can wait an entire day to get married. I would go crazy..
Post # 29
Member
756 posts
Busy bee
I think it depends how many people are from out of town, and how far they have to go. If lots of your guests have a 30-45 minutes trip to either site it will be annoying, but if they can go home thats fine. Also make sure the hotels are near either the ceremony or the reception site.
Post # 30
Member
779 posts
Busy bee
@kariebee43: these are awesome ideas!! Thank you so much!! 🙂 I’m seriously going to think about these!
Post # 31
Member
2552 posts
Sugar bee
@silkspectre94: if you can wait till september, you can wait a few more hours!
you could have a later ceremony and take pictures while your guests are at the cocktail hour of the reception
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