PLEASE HELP me decide what to do in break between Ceremony and CH!

Hi Ladies,

sorry, a little long, but I really have been struggling with this . . .

I really need help with this . . .
I am having a full mass ceremony at a Church which should end around 5pm, and my CH does not start until 7. There is a two hour break and I need to find something for my guests to do.
Here's the thing: My wedding is in the city and my guests are largely from Long Island and Brooklyn so many of them won't be staying in the hotel we have booked since they are within driving distance of their homes. However, they live too far to go back and forth to their homes and the reception in between!

I've thought of having city bus tours, but I'm not sure that would be the best since most people have seen NYC before and besides, they'll be all dressed up. Granted they could just walk around the city, but again, what if it rains or is very cold? (my wedding is Oct 29th) . . . I've also considered having buses drop them off at our hotel where they could at least drink and socialize at the bar if they don't have a room . . . But then we're thinking that's the point of cocktail hour and it's going to get old to have them do that for so long. Besides, my cocktail hour is my favorite part of the wedding (we have a sushi bar, raw bar, martini bar, etc) and I don't want people to be too drunk already to enjoy it!

I believe it's poor etiquette to give these people nothing to do for 2 hours. Does anyone have a suggestion? Anything would help!

TIA!

Well, two hours really isn't that bad, I've heard of far worse (and am actually having the 'far worse' scenario). For my sister's wedding, my parents house was used as a gathering place for anyone who wanted to come back and have some small appetizers, drinks, or whatever until heading out to the reception hall. For me, the hotel has a pub upstairs that people can always congregate in.

I think people are really used to have lapses between ceremony and reception and to be honest, they may take that time to freshen up back at their homes or to get into the city. I was really stressing about it too but you can always send out a separate 'things to do' on long island/city type of thing and people can always choose to do them or not

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Posted by jimmysgrl

Well, two hours really isn't that bad, I've heard of far worse (and am actually having the 'far worse' scenario). For my sister's wedding, my parents house was used as a gathering place for anyone who wanted to come back and have some small appetizers, drinks, or whatever until heading out to the reception hall. For me, the hotel has a pub upstairs that people can always congregate in.

I think people are really used to have lapses between ceremony and reception and to be honest, they may take that time to freshen up back at their homes or to get into the city. I was really stressing about it too but you can always send out a separate 'things to do' on long island/city type of thing and people can always choose to do them or not

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You know, that 'things to do' list might be a very simple solution and maybe that is what I'd do... I mean, there is a TON of stuff going on all over Manhattan, it's not like I'm getting married in Bumblef**k right? hmmmm . . .

Well, that is one suggestion to look into doing . . . THANKS!

give nice place for coffee -
place for martini
mussuem close by that is open

stuff like that is not so bad when all dressed up
people do fiure it out- but a list is nice for people who do no know thta section of town

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Posted by snowprincess805

give nice place for coffee -
place for martini
mussuem close by that is open

stuff like that is not so bad when all dressed up
people do fiure it out- but a list is nice for people who do no know thta section of town

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yea maybe the list is the best thing . . . I wish I could think of something organized they could do . . . but maybe the list is just the best idea.

this may not apply to you but some guests dont come to the church so you can elimate them from your worries.

The others will probably go home or hotel, change into their dressy outfits, and head off to the reception. I wouldnt worry about it at all! My ceremony will end at 430 and my recetion is not until 700. I plan on taking tons of pics, and being at my CH to enjoy it. Dont even worry about your other guests!

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Posted by Preshy7

this may not apply to you but some guests dont come to the church so you can elimate them from your worries.

The others will probably go home or hotel, change into their dressy outfits, and head off to the reception. I wouldnt worry about it at all! My ceremony will end at 430 and my recetion is not until 700. I plan on taking tons of pics, and being at my CH to enjoy it. Dont even worry about your other guests!

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You have some valid points - I wanted pictures too, and I'm NOT missing my cocktail hour BUT I read somewhere that it's poor etiquette to leave guests alone for 2 hours without giving them something to do . . . so that's what I'm worried about . . . Do you think that it's not poor etiquette?

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Posted by 12-3Princess

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Posted by Preshy7

this may not apply to you but some guests dont come to the church so you can elimate them from your worries.

The others will probably go home or hotel, change into their dressy outfits, and head off to the reception. I wouldnt worry about it at all! My ceremony will end at 430 and my recetion is not until 700. I plan on taking tons of pics, and being at my CH to enjoy it. Dont even worry about your other guests!

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You have some valid points - I wanted pictures too, and I'm NOT missing my cocktail hour BUT I read somewhere that it's poor etiquette to leave guests alone for 2 hours without giving them something to do . . . so that's what I'm worried about . . . Do you think that it's not poor etiquette?

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nah - i have been to a few weddings myself where this happened. let the guests worry about it. if they have a car they will find something to do. really, i wouldnt stress at all!

also - our reception is in the sring and there are only so many hours for daylight pics so i need my church to end early enough so i have some light for the pics.

I was worried too; my ceremony is going to be at the Fordham University Chapel in the Bronx (ending at 3:00) and the cocktail hour doesn't start at the TC until 7:00 (counting driving time and 'milling around after ceremony' time that leaves about 2 and 1/2 hours of free time for guests)

We are reserving a hospitality suite in the hotel that my guests are staying at; there will be light snacks, soda, coffee, and (important during baseball playoffs time!) a TV. Anyone who wants to can come in and hang out between the ceremony and cocktail hour. Perhaps your hotel can offer something like this? This way you don't have to worry about them drinking too early and they know that they have someplace to go if needed.

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Posted by doormouse

I was worried too; my ceremony is going to be at the Fordham University Chapel in the Bronx (ending at 3:00) and the cocktail hour doesn't start at the TC until 7:00 (counting driving time and 'milling around after ceremony' time that leaves about 2 and 1/2 hours of free time for guests)

We are reserving a hospitality suite in the hotel that my guests are staying at; there will be light snacks, soda, coffee, and (important during baseball playoffs time!) a TV. Anyone who wants to can come in and hang out between the ceremony and cocktail hour. Perhaps your hotel can offer something like this? This way you don't have to worry about them drinking too early and they know that they have someplace to go if needed.

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I am so jealous! I wanted to get married at Fordham, but they were still doing renovations when I was planning....

I wouldn't worry about the 2 hours. After a full mass and then the time you hang around outside, they will probably only have an hour to kill. I think most people can amuse themselves in the city for an hour.

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Posted by dpli


I am so jealous! I wanted to get married at Fordham, but they were still doing renovations when I was planning....

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Believe me, booking the chapel was quite a hassle! They will still be doing some 'touch up' renovations in July & August which they have PROMISED will be done at the end of the summer. I would not be surprised if (in true Fordham fashion) I see workmen swinging by the stained glass windows on Oct. 22.