For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

babieblueeyez96 Posted: Jul 02, 2008 08:50 PM

For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

What are your guests doing in between the ceremony and the reception? Our ceremony is at 2 and our reception is at 6. Without saying any names someone feels as though it is necessary to entertain all of the guests in between the two events. They are going to a bar and paying for the guests to have unlimited beer wine and soda. Someone else (again without saying any names) thinks that it is inappropriate to be providing alcohol in between bc then the guests will/could be drunk/tired by the time they get to the reception. I dont know what to think about either side...I need opinions! What do you think??? TIA

MyLobster Posted: Jul 02, 2008 08:54 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

Personally...I do NOT think it is your responsibility to entertain nor provide entertainment between. You are paying for a HUGE party and they can figure it out in their own. JMO

ttw910 Posted: Jul 02, 2008 08:57 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

I'm having my ceremony at my chuch at 3:30, CH starts at 7:30.
I'm not planning on having anyone 'entertain' guests in between. Most people will go home or to their hotel and change from their daytime outfits and get ready for the evening. I've never been to a wedding where there has been an in between party.

klovess14 Posted: Jul 02, 2008 08:57 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

Posted by MyLobster

Personally...I do NOT think it is your responsibility to entertain nor provide entertainment between. You are paying for a HUGE party and they can figure it out in their own. JMO

I AGREE 100%. WE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE FAR AWAY THEY WILL HANG OUT AT OUR PARENTS HOUSE UNTIL THE RECEPTION. THE PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PICTURES UNTIL AN HOUR BEFORE THE COCKTAIL HOUR. FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIKE CLOSE BY MOST OF THEM ARE WEARING WHATEVER TO THE CHURCH UT WILL GO HOME AND CHANGE

Lisafer1973 Posted: Jul 02, 2008 09:15 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

by no means do you have to pay for the time between. You are already paying for them to drink and eat and eat and drink!!! My church in in Sayville and my RH is in Manorville. My parents also live in Manorville and they are opening their house for people to go there between. She said she is going to get a few cases of beer and some bottles of wine. If she didn't offer that I wouldn't have done anything.

gabbie83 Posted: Jul 02, 2008 09:43 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

i dont think its your responsibility to provide for your guests during the break

my church was at 2:30 and my CH began at 7:30 - there was a small diner/restaurant across the street from my church so on my programs i wrote that we're inviting everyone for a quick bite and some drinks - and then the but picked them up at 6 to take them to LI. I had lots of out of towners that werent staying at hotels, everyone loved it.

Wifeynella Posted: Jul 02, 2008 09:53 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

it's not your responsibility to entertain guests between the 2 events and I agree with the person its irresponsible to provide alcohol if people have to drive to your reception.

with that said, it's traditional in my neighborhood for the parents of the groom to host a little gathering for close friends and family to hang out in btw the 2 events. they will have sandwiches, veggie platter and fruit platter, soda, tea and soda. no alcohol

ZeppsGirl Posted: Jul 02, 2008 11:38 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

Our ceremony is at 300 with the cocktail hour at 630 so we are having them come to my parents house. We have a huge bar/cabana so we will serve refreshments and then the limo and buses will arrive to take them all to the party.
I dont think that I feel as though I have to do this but it is a kind gesture. Just not serving much alcohol...people will be sitting around talking, and with my parents pad we are used to it.

Dee0522 Posted: Jul 02, 2008 11:40 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

I agree w/ everyone else. We had a church ceremony at 3 and the reception didn't start until 6. I didn't give a second thought to what everyone would do... I've been to weddings before with an even longer gap and nobody provided me with anything to do! I wouldn't even worry about it... people will figure something out on their own. I think a lot of our guests went home to change. The ones who are staying from OOT can just hang at their hotel in between.

jgl Posted: Jul 02, 2008 11:45 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

we are having a lunch at the hotel inbetween for the guests who are staying at the hotel. after the ceremony they can go to the hotel check in, relax, eat and thenchange for the reception

Soon2beAlberti Posted: Jul 02, 2008 11:55 PM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

i agree with the second person not to be names...3 hours of time with unlimited free drinks before heading off to your reception with more unlimited free drinks is a VERY BAD IDEA. Its got DISASTER written all over it!!!

my ceremony is at 1pm...a full mass...so we'll be done by 2...shmoozing and photography...my FH's immediate family will go to his moms house for coffee ...my immediate will come to my house...there is a friendly's across the street from jericho terrace if they would like...and jericho terrace has a room of complimentary refreshments for early arrivals.

jessamyn78 Posted: Jul 03, 2008 12:00 AM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

FH's dad decided to have family back in between. For most weddings I have gone to, there has been a big gap of time and no one has ever done anything.

bella1028 Posted: Jul 03, 2008 12:19 AM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

swan club was very accomodating and although our cocktail hour begins at 7pm they are opening the bar at 530 for any guests who arrive early....its helpful for those traveling a distance

lizzzie35 Posted: Jul 03, 2008 01:08 AM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

In the time between the ceremony and reception, I believe OOT guests will go back to the hotel and those that have not yet checked in will check in. Those that are local/not staying at the hotel can either go back home or come watch us take pictures... I don't think it should be our responsibility... JMO

babieblueeyez96 Posted: Jul 03, 2008 01:13 AM

Re: For those having a ceremony NOT at the reception hall

Thanks for all of the inputs...I dont know what to do now. Basically like i said the first person WANTS to have it at a bar...they were going to do a get together at the house but they said that it was going to be too much work to set up the house...i dont really like the idea of them providing beer wine and soda in between and they told me to let them know if i am uncomfortable with it (which I am) but i dont know what else they could do since like i said they feel the NEED to entertain these people in between...