3pm or 6 pm church time

I would recommend 3, because we all know time flies when we are having fun.

Here is how I look at it

Church > 3-4
Receiving line > 4-4:30
Taking pictures at church > 4:30-5
Leave church to go to reception hall > 5-5:30

This way it leaves you over an hour and a half to take all your pictures and go to your cocktail hour. Believe me don't rush the day it just goes to quickly and it will be over in a FLASH!

Are you willing to take the pictures before the ceremony? Or, would you be completely heart broken if most of your guests didn't show for the ceremony? A friday at 3, with the reception at 7, the church might be a little empty. Or, are you able to push your cocktail hour back 30mins or an hour? I would pick the 6:00.

Duh...didn't realize you already made your decision. Sorry!

Definately have the church for 3pm. You need atleast two hours to take pictures before the reception so you are free to have fun during your reception.

Also, are you having a mass or just a ceremony? Most masses run from 45minutes to an hour. Just the marriage ceremony still runs atleast 30 minutes. I went to a wedding once where the reception site was 15 minutes away from the church and was immediately following the church (no time in between) The wedding before ran late causing the wedding we went to to run late- therefore everyone who went to the church was 30 minutes late for the cocktail hour.

I would say 3 because you never know if you will be running even 10 minutes late, and will throw off the rest of the day.

If you are worried about the ceremony time and noone coming, If I had to go to a 6:00 ceremony and i din't want to leave work early, I still wouldn't make it, i would ahve to leave early for athe 6:00 one either. The people that are most importantt would come to a tuesday morning ceremony if that is when you had it.

3 pm...with a 6pm church time, I don't think you'll have any time for doing a private 'pre-celebration' with the bridal party before all the guests arrive, and you won't have time for pictures at the cocktail hour.

You may just feel like you are in a bit of a rush.

I would go for three or LATER than 6- in ordert to allow time for pictures. After spending decent money on a photographer, you don't want to rush and miss opportunities for pictures (JMO)