What time to start cocktail hour and reception? Help!

KathleenAnne Posted: Jun 04, 2012 09:26 PM

What time to start cocktail hour and reception? Help!

Hey ladies,

I am having a full mass the day of my wedding at 3pm in Deer Park. I then would like to drive down to Argyle Park in Babylon to take some pictures, then drive up to my venue (Smithtown Landing) to take some pictures there and then enjoy our cocktail hour.

The cocktail hour starts at 6... do you think that is too early? I'm afraid I'm going to feel rushed to take pictures and get back to the venue in time. What time do you think I should have my cocktail hour & reception. Help!

pjt212301 Posted: Jun 05, 2012 09:09 AM

Re: What time to start cocktail hour and reception? Help!

I think the timing seems a little tight. Have you checked with your photographer? That's where I would start. He'll be able to tell how long he needs for the pictures of your BP. After that I would add in the travel time and then add another 1/2 hour on top of that to allow for any mishaps - traffic, late people, slow pokey people.

JuneBug86 Posted: Jun 05, 2012 09:28 AM

Re: What time to start cocktail hour and reception? Help!

Maybe you can bump it to an hour later? You don't want to be rushing and if you're having a mass that's going to take 45 mins to an hour.

lboogie77 Posted: Jun 05, 2012 02:44 PM

Re: What time to start cocktail hour and reception? Help!

I also have a 3pm full mass and we're doing the cocktail hour at 7pm. I didn't want to feel rushed ending the mass, doing the receiving line, taking pics at the church, travel time, then more pics at the reception site. Remember you want to enjoy your cocktail hour so you'd want to be done with pics before that starts.