Ceremony & reception details

Hi,

We’re getting down to the nitty-gritty of the wedding planning and I’m hit a snag at the reception time-line/program… Our recpetion starts at 4pm, and I am not sure how a reception “usually/traditionally” would run. However if the meal usually comes first, would guests think that 4pm is too early for a sit-down meal??

It still goes until late, so we are able to eat closer to dinner time if we wanted to, but I just wasn’t sure what we would do when everyone first arrived if we didnt eat??

I would appreciate any input of ideas, or if anyone has had a mid-afternoon reception?

Thanks girls!!

You could serve some light snacks because it would have been a while since guests would have had lunch and so they might be a bit peckish. You could then do your speeches, first dance and cake cutting, and have the formal sit down at 6pm or even a bit earlier.

I have only been to later receptions than this, but I am sure that your guests will be happy with whatever you do

Regards

Liz

Cocktail hour? That would take up the 4-5.30pm time slot.

Then guests go in and you make your enterance. By that stage (if you factor in the fact that weddings usually run late) it should be between 6-6.30pm. Definately time for dinner.

However if you plan on arriving at 4pm then you would definately need to fill in two hours before serving the entree. You could do the things Liz suggested like speeches and first dance but the dancing usually doesn’t start to after the food is served (I think this is because guests are seated so not in the way of the waiters).

But it could work.

Lol I’m even more confused, I agree J_Jaye about the dancing before while everyone is seated- haha I’m so uncertain!

We are having a tea and coffee and nibblies table straight after the ceremony to cater for anyone starving (or just bored lol), and I definitely like the cocktail hour idea.

If the bridal party were to arrive say 4:30-5:00ish then we got straight into speeches (I know, not conventional!) Seeing that everyone is seated when they’re in, we might be able to start serving dinner after that… with gaps between entree and main so that mains aren’t too early.

Then before dessert we could do the cake, then dessert (and cake eating) then first dance and dancing…

Okay honest opinion girls- if you were at a wedding at the above (approx) time frame and order of events etc, would that seem okay or is it too jumbled?

I’m not a stickler for tradition, but I also want it to flow nicely for the guests’ sake!

I truly appreciate your help so far!!!

I think as long as you aren’t serving meals before 6pm you should be fine.

You have to factor in the enevitable 30 min delay! Happens at just about every wedding whether it be a late bride, late guests, missing family members for photos etc etc. Those 3 or 5 mins here and there all add up!

I think speeches are ok before serving food but I wouldn’t want to sit through an hour of them!

If this was my wedding this is what I’d do

4pm cocktail hour, drinks and canapés 

5pm seat guests at dinner table

5:15pm Bridal party entrance and when bride and groom enter go straight to cutting the cake

5:30pm Father’s of bride and groom make their speeches and once they are finished have entree come out straight away. ( this will make it about 6pm for entree)

6pm entree

6:30pm Best Man and bridesmaid speeches (if your having that) while entree plates are being taken away

6:45-7ish Main course

7:30pm Bride and Groom Speech

7:45-8ish First dance then let the party begin

Im not sure what your reception will allow you to do but it’s a great idea to have a roving desert so people can eat it on the dance floor if they wanted rather than having to get everyone bake to their seats to be seated for desert… 

Hope this helps 

Hi Ashrudd

I actually think its fine to have the guest meals even earlier than 6pm. I went to a wedding recently where the the cocktails/canapes were from 4.30pm – 5pm, seated at 5.15pm, and the bride and groom came in at 5.30pm followed by the entree being served immediately at 5.30pm. The main came out at 6pm and the groom and fathers made their speeches, followed by some down time and then a few more speeches during dessert at arounnd 7pm. Cake cutting happened and then it was party time!

As most of the other girls have suggested, a cocktail hour would be perfect.

4pm is a little early for dinner, so if you had a cocktail & canape hour, then it gives guests a chance to mingle, have a glass of champagne and a couple of canapes before they sit down around 5pm for the dinner to start.