So we are having some trouble deciding how much time is needed and there seems to be a lot of opinions about this. We can have either a 2 or 330 ceremony and cocktails start at 7. Orig we booked the 330 thinking less time is better for people who are going right from the church to the reception (about 40 min drive) and 2 would lead to a lot of wandering between, but now we are thinking 2 might be necessary for those staying in the hotel to check-in in between and get the shuttle and better for our pics. We can't get into the RH until 6 for pics there, so would have to make another stop with the BP if we change to the 2. I don't want to feel rushed with the pics, but it is also August so I dont know about people being ok with being outside for 2 hours either. Advice? Experiences?
halfbaked
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
We opted to have as little time between the ceremony and reception as possible. I know that I won't be able to go to a second location for pics, but for our guests sake, I'd rather have less wait time for guests and go and take day after pics with my friend who is an up and coming photographer and offered to do it for a nominal fee.
slyman1101
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
i was just in a wedding that the ceremony was at 1 and cocktail hour didnt start till 630 at a place that was almost an hour away and it worked out very well. the bridal party took the bus out there and stopped at a vineyard closeby to the RH and did some wine tasting and took pics. then we stopped off at a small beach and took some more pics. we got to the RH at about 6 and the whole day went perfectly... from what i understand the other guests didnt mind the down time bc they went back to the hotel (which was close to the church) and then the couple actually bused the rest of the guests to the RH. HTH good luck!
Lsorrent
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
Our ceremony starts at 3:00 and our CH doesn't start until 7:30. Unfortunately we can't switch either of these times. This apparently has become a point of contention with the FIL's, so now they want to host something at the hotel in between for guests. I'll be discussing it with them this weekend, but I'm thinking coffee and cookies or something just to hold people over.
Originally I wasn't going to do anything for people in between - I figured local guests could just go home, and OOT'ers could just go back to the hotel. FIL's aren't happy with that and offered to host this little shindig, so I'll just go with it.
christine2010
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
our ceremony is at 2 & our CH starts at 7. everyone has whined about this but this is what worked best for us. after the ceremony the bridal party is going to take pictures at the botanical gardens. we will arrive at the hall at 5 to take more pictures.
you have to do what is best for you. in my eyes, people can whine as much as they want but we are all planning on getting married once & the pictures at the gardens are very important to us.
Soon2bMrsH
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
ours is at 2:30 and CH is at 7. the church and RH are 40 minutes without traffic. and we want to be at the whole CH so we want to take all the pics beforehand. we can go straight to the RH to do that. Plus ours is a friday night in August so there will be traffic, so we have to allot time for that. plus to freshen up. and guest can go back to the hotel, or their homes and relax for a bit.
FutureLW
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
Our ceremony is at 4pm and our CH starts at 6:30. The RH and church are right down the block from each other so there will be a little time in between but I think our guests will be able to handle themselves
AngnShaun
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
Posted by LaraChris112008
Our ceremony is at 4pm and our CH starts at 6:30. The RH and church are right down the block from each other so there will be a little time in between but I think our guests will be able to handle themselves
my times are the same... but the RH is about 40 minutes away... i would say that a friday it would be closer to an hour away with traffic...
crazeee18
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
3 hrs---our church mass starts at 330 and ends at 430 and or ch starts at 730
Cassie15
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
From experience, this was a problem I encountered when I had my wedding. I was thinking of an early ceremony and then the cocktail leaving a gap in between. Until the venue events coordinator suggested an afternoon ceremony. This way guests can take pictures right after and straight to the cocktail. We had our ceremony at 4 followed by pictures at 5 and then the cocktail at 6. Our reception start at 7. Dinner was not served til 8. Everything went accordingly which made it easier for our guests. If it's an hour gap, I think most people can wander off and take a break. For two hours, it might be pushing it. Picture yourself as a guest, would you want to be wandering around for two hours at a wedding esp in summer. If you are worried about the pics, arrange your ceremony later around 3 or 4 followed by photos for an hour. 1 hour is enough time to take all of your formal portraits with family as well as with your BP. This way your cocktail can start after the pictures. You'll be right on schedule w/o rushing yourself or your guests. Hope that helps. Best wishes!!!
FutureJOC
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
this is a problem I am going to have because my church is in the Bronx and the RH is in Massapequa (about a 45 minute drive without traffic). I don't even want to think about it right now, it gives me a headache everytme lol
Amberrenee6705
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
We took our pictures in between time...our ceremony was at 1:00 and the reception was at 4 and we had PLENTY of time left over.
You dont want to make it too large of a time for out of towners who have nowhere to go in between.
love82110
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
Thanks ladies - I think it is one of those, I have to accept that I can't please everyone things. But generally everyone that responded is around similar time frames, so I feel less bad about the bigger break between!
FutureMrsM
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Re: Time between ceremony and reception??
Posted by jilliibabii
We opted to have as little time between the ceremony and reception as possible. I know that I won't be able to go to a second location for pics, but for our guests sake, I'd rather have less wait time for guests and go and take day after pics with my friend who is an up and coming photographer and offered to do it for a nominal fee.
Same here (except for taking pics the next day) we're gonna take pics between and for part of the ch.
