Post # 1
Member
95 posts
Worker bee
Hi bees,
Just wanted to get opinions on the timing of a Sunday summer wedding. Here’s what i am thinking, please let me know if you think it is too much time between the ceremony and reception.
Church ceremony: 4.30pm – 5:15pm (i am adding an additional 15mins for possible lateness etc – but the actual ceremony won’t be more than 30 mins)
cocktail hour: 6pm – 7pm
Reception: 7-11 (we will arrive around 7pm – this gives us an hour and half for bridal party photos)
This timeline gives our guests 45 mins between the ceremony and reception. is that too much time? it is less than a mile between the 2 locations. I know in some weddings i’ve been to before you always mingle after the church so that could cut out some of the wait..
What do you think?
thank you!
Post # 3
Member
4137 posts
Honey bee
can you push up the cocktail hour? they’ll be mingling with each other at the cocktail hour, so time for that is not needed at the church.
are people staying in a hotel near the reception site so they could go back to their rooms? what are people supposed to do for just 45 minutes?
Post # 4
Member
95 posts
Worker bee
@kitzy:
How much time would you push it up? i have to allow for some time for travel between venues (even though it is less than a mile), some might drive and have to move their cars.. also nyc parking is not the greatest.
I also want to speak to our reception venue to make sure they open their doors say 30 mins early, that way if guests do turn up early they can go straight in..
Post # 5
Member
1668 posts
Bumble bee
I actually think that gap is fine. You are right. People will linger at the ceremony site for a while. It will take them time to file out, catch up with so and so, organize how they are going to drive and who’s riding with who, get to their cars, drive to the new location, and find parking.
You know your guests best but my family would take forever with this process! And they live in BK so I am familiar with the traffic and parking situations. As long as your reception site will be open so that they can go in if they are early, I think you’ll be fine.
My only concern would be do you think people will walk to the reception from the first location? In that case they may be really early.
Post # 6
Member
95 posts
Worker bee
@NJmeetsBX:
My family is like yours! they take forever to do anything!
yes some may decide to walk. another thought was on our website (and an insert in the invitations) – to provide some things to do on the way. Maybe some recommendatons for a bar to pop in to, or even to stop by the brooklyn bridge park as its beautiful. i know for every wedding i’ve been to in the past if there was a gap i would always pop into a bar for a “pre-cocktail” drink – or do something to occupy myself
Argh timing a wedding – i never thought it would be so complicated!
Post # 7
Member
1668 posts
Bumble bee
Love the Brooklyn Bridge Park idea! It is really nice and a lot of folks don’t know about it. I think it’ll be fine just make sure the doors aren’t locked if they arrive before 6. I’ve had that happen as a guest. The place was still setting up and we went to the nearest place – a bowling alley – in our formal wear to wait. 
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