So, my ceremony at the church is at 3:30p and my cocktail hour is set to start at 7p... the church and the hall are about 3 miles from each other. We happened to get lucky that it worked out that way.... A few of my bridesmaids disagree with the timing, since people will have to wait. I am not doing a full mass, only a half hour, but my photographer seems to think that we will be there at least an hour and a half, then can head to the picture site (where ever that may be)....
My goal is to attend my cocktail hour so I can bang out alot of the 'thank you's', so we can somewhat enjoy our reception.
I would like some thoughts... as I am not sure what I should do.
FutureMRS.Benn
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
We got married at 3pm and our cocktail started at 6pm. The church was about 10 miles from RH. Butttttttttttt we missed the entire cocktail and we planned to attend the end of it. I think your timing is correct.
IrishAli
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
Having time is nice for pictures for you
Bt it ruined my wedding. The afternoon girl left so much time between the church and the reception that her guests just showed up way early and came to my wedding. It was really rude
MrsJPH2012
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
Posted by IrishAli
Having time is nice for pictures for you
Bt it ruined my wedding. The afternoon girl left so much time between the church and the reception that her guests just showed up way early and came to my wedding. It was really rude
Omgggg how did the RH handle it? Thats amazing...
IrishAli
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
They asked them to leave, but they just went around to the garden and drank from my outside bar anyway with my guests
seantaraod
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
There isn't anything before us, and I hope nothing else will be happening in the building. They said by this time, if the night is still free, most likely no one will book the upstairs room. So, I could get lucky and be the only wedding! :) I suppose I could talk to the hall and see if anything can be served for people waiting in between. I mean, there is no room but the lobby, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
I forgot to mention that my wedding date is a FRIDAY, so I am assuming there will be many people not attending the church... and the 7p start for the CH is decent, because people won't have to take the day off, or even leave work early with that timing.
IrishAli
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
Posted by seantaraod
There isn't anything before us, and I hope nothing else will be happening in the building. They said by this time, if the night is still free, most likely no one will book the upstairs room. So, I could get lucky and be the only wedding! :) I suppose I could talk to the hall and see if anything can be served for people waiting in between. I mean, there is no room but the lobby, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
I forgot to mention that my wedding date is a FRIDAY, so I am assuming there will be many people not attending the church... and the 7p start for the CH is decent, because people won't have to take the day off, or even leave work early with that timing.
Ah! That is different! I think you are ok with the timing, then
Maymay
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
I had the exact same issue...our church is at 3:30 and reception starts at 7pm. Both are within 2 miles of each other and the hotel everyone is staying at is about 20 minutes away.
I did not want to miss cocktail hour and definitely wanted to use that time for pictures. Like you said most people might not come to the church. Maybe you can suggest a place they can go to in the meantime like a local restaurant/bar for a drink.
I am telling my guests to come directly to the church and then use the time in between to go to the hotel to check-in (since check-in is not till 4pm that day anyways). They can change relax and before they know it, they will have to go to the lobby to get on the bus to the reception. (im having party buses take people to and from the reception hall).
Hope that helps!
halfbaked
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
Guests will more than likely hang around the church while you take photos. Besides that they'll be schmoozing with the other guests. By the time they actually get to the RH, there won't be so much of a gap. Check with your RH though, most RH's offer a 'hospitality hour' before the CH starts for any guests who have arrived early. It's nothing special, usually champagne (sometimes open bar) and light h'ordeuvres, and I do mean light.
I think you are fine and it seems to be the thing nowadays. Unless the ceremony was the reception hall, we have always had a decent amount of time in between.
And I am in complete agreement with you...i want to go to my cocktail hour, enjoy it and bang out the thank you's so we dont have to waste our reception time! Trust me when I say people will find something to do...like a bar or whatever. Don't let it get to you and don't second guess what you want to do!
LBUDA
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Re: Church and Reception Timing....
I think the timing is fine, and your bridemaids shouldnt be concerned....Just make sure you have some light food and cocktails for the bridal party while they are waiting...
