Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location

ELindsay12 · April 2011

Does anyone have any helpful hints how to go from ceremony to reception in same hall.. As I am having my pcitures done early in the day and my reception is at 7pm at night No sit down dinner.. and later cocktail style foods later at 10pm.. I dont want to have alot of tables because i dont want people to think that I am serving a dinner.. When i am not.. I do realize i need some tables for people to mingle and such however how do u go about doing speeches and such

Any ideas will help

Mrs.B6302007 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_going-ceremony-reception-same-location?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:9c62903a-bde1-4b56-acc7-00a9420fe77cPost:8061b35a-e43a-420e-b0fc-668a2083cd7c">Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location</a>:
[QUOTE]Does anyone have any helpful hints how to go from ceremony to reception in same hall.. As I am having my pcitures done early in the day and my reception is at 7pm at night No sit down dinner.. and later cocktail style foods later at 10pm.. I dont want to have alot of tables because i dont want people to think that I am serving a dinner.. When i am not.. I do realize i need some tables for people to mingle and such however how do u go about doing speeches and such Any ideas will help
Posted by ELindsay12[/QUOTE]

What do you mean you're having "some tables"? You should still plan on one chair and table space per person. With limited seating, where are guests supposed to sit? Where are they supposed to put their personal items (purses, shawls, sweaters)? Each guest needs a place to "land" for the evening so that they're not holding a drink in one hand and a plate in the other.

I also am confused on the reception is at 7 and food is at 10? What will be going on between 7 and 10?

ELindsay12 · April 2011

ceremony at 7 and reception to follow... doing a late lunch type thing at 10 NO DINNER

Mrs.B6302007 · April 2011

You're going to make your guest wait 3 hours to eat? That's asking a lot of them. The cocktail style meal rather than a served dinner is fine but you really need to start feeding them as soon as the ceremony is done.

Brycedance · April 2011

Your guests need to be clearly informed (on the invitation) that dinner won't be provided, especially since many will assume that a 7p reception means dinner. PP is correct, you still need enough seats and table spaces for all of your guests. You might also want to consider serving the food (snacks) you will be providing earlier - 7 to 10 is a long time to have no food available, especially since I'm assuming your ceremony will start around 6ish? That means guests will be there from 5:30 or 6p until 10p without food... I personally would have a tough time with that if I were a guest.

As for your original question about how to transition, it depends on your venue.

Good luck.

opalsky007 · April 2011

I would suggest listing this on the invitation as a cocktail reception (so that folks know to eat dinner beforehand), and starting food immediately when the reception starts. If there's nothing to eat, people are going to leave well before 10 PM.

Irishcurls · April 2011

I'm also confused about what will be going on from 7-10? Just dancing/cake stuff? Why don't you just do heavy passed hors d'eouvres right after the ceremony instead of a sit down meal? This is perfectly acceptable if there is enough food to constitute a meal--you just need to note that it will be a "cocktail reception" so they know it is not a plated meal. If you're not providing enough food to equal a meal, you really shouldn't have a reception during a meal time--it's basically asking for guests to get upset, and/or waaay too tipsy if they're drinking with no food.

musicalsunlight · April 2011

I am doing a similar timing of my wedding, a 7pm ceremony followed by a dessert reception with some cocktail party-style foods. HOWEVER, we are still doing seating for each guest. Everyone needs a spot to sit down and, like Mrs. B said, put their purse/coat (if needed), etc. People will not want to stand the whole evening. And yes you also need to be sure to make it clear on the invites that dinner is not going to be served.

Mrs.B6302007 · April 2011

As far as transistioning goes, usually that's what the cocktail hour helps with. Guests go to a different room for CH while the reception is being set up in the ceremony room. That all, of course depends on the venue and if there are two rooms available. Honestly though, if you're not going to serve a dinner for the reception, there's nothing to transistion to really so you could just have the guests seated at the tables for the ceremony and then let them begin eating the appetizers immediately after the ceremony.

mandysmear · April 2011

we had hors d'eouvres at ours. but still had tables.

Meg1979 · April 2011

You have to have places for folks to sit. I wouldn't stand around in heels with nothing to eat for long. Also, after 7 is not a late lunch. That's dinnertime. Listen to the previous posters and have seating and a cocktail reception.

MairePoppy · April 2011

Your time line definitely needs some work. Exactly what do you mean by reception from after the ceremony until 10pm? Do you expect that the guests will be milling around talking? Dancing?

Consider the possibility that many of your guests will not eat before your 7pm ceremony. They will probably get hungry and leave your reception to eat elsewhere.
For this same reason, you need a chair for each guest. If it seems to them that there are not enough places to sit, they will leave.

RobotLegs · April 2011

Just being honest, if I walked into a reception at 8'ish pm and there was no food and no tables to sit at... I'd probably leave my gift and head home. You should really have some sort of food right after the ceremony (even just cheese and crackers) and seating. Nobody wants to stand for 3 hours.

LDYGTR13 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_going-ceremony-reception-same-location?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:9c62903a-bde1-4b56-acc7-00a9420fe77cPost:5b7448b9-96b9-437c-9e52-9c01f9aa6972">Re: Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location</a>:
[QUOTE]ceremony at 7 and reception to follow... doing a late lunch type thing at 10 NO DINNER
Posted by ELindsay12[/QUOTE]

10 pm!? That's an EXTREMELY late lunch.

ELindsay12 · April 2011

ok i am just going to say this

IF you have an afternoon wedding yes you will have a dinner at say what 5 or 6 when you have been married at what 2-3??

Thats 3-4 hrs... and also Doesnt anyone have a midnight buffet because the guest have been drinking usually u offter that??

However I am not having a dinner i agree with maybe tiny little pass around or'doveres however I am thinking yes tables.. I not serving dinner do to not enough money and too many people.. This way we can do this... and my invitations will hvae it on them.. I just need to know how to go from ceremony to speeches ot party

Beachy730 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_going-ceremony-reception-same-location?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:9c62903a-bde1-4b56-acc7-00a9420fe77cPost:ac8f6def-8475-4599-8dac-2115cf088098">Re: Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location</a>:
[QUOTE]ok<strong> i am just going to say this IF you have an afternoon wedding yes you will have a dinner at say what 5 or 6 when you have been married at what 2-3?? Thats 3-4 hrs...</strong> and also Doesnt anyone have a midnight buffet because the guest have been drinking usually u offter that?? However I am not having a dinner i agree with maybe tiny little pass around or'doveres however I am thinking yes tables.. I not serving dinner do to not enough money and too many people.. This way we can do this... and my invitations will hvae it on them.. I just need to know how to go from ceremony to speeches ot party
Posted by ELindsay12[/QUOTE]

<div>But the difference between an afternoon reception is that it's not in the middle of a meal time. Also, many people do some type of appetizers during the cocktail hour, so people aren't waiting that long. 7:00 is dinner time for many people, so they will be hungry. And people who do midnight buffets do them as a second form of food, not their only meal. Nobody makes their guests wait that long before they get any food.</div><div>
</div><div>Just know that if you go along with you are planning, you will have barely any guests left there at 10pm when your food comes out because they will all have left to go eat. But hey, then you can invite even more people that you can't afford to feed.</div>

SarahPLiz · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_going-ceremony-reception-same-location?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:9c62903a-bde1-4b56-acc7-00a9420fe77cPost:ac8f6def-8475-4599-8dac-2115cf088098">Re: Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location</a>:
[QUOTE]ok i am just going to say this IF you have an afternoon wedding yes you will have a dinner at say what 5 or 6 when you have been married at what 2-3?? Thats 3-4 hrs... and also Doesnt anyone have a midnight buffet because the guest have been drinking usually u offter that?? However I am not having a dinner i agree with maybe tiny little pass around or'doveres however I am thinking yes tables.. I not serving dinner do to not enough money and too many people.. This way we can do this... and my invitations will hvae it on them.. I just need to know how to go from ceremony to speeches ot party
Posted by ELindsay12[/QUOTE]<div>Actually, most people don't have gaps. Only those who have church/reception hall scheduling issues have gaps, and they use them to take pictures. If you are taking pictures before hand, then you don't need a gap.</div><div>
</div><div> I bet you are going to save LOTS of money, because if you don't have any food after the ceremony, say at 8ish, then no one will stay until 10. YOu won't have to feed anyone. They'll see your ceremony, drop off a gift and maybe have a drink if htey don't have to pay for it, and boogie home.

</div>

opalsky007 · April 2011

Most people don't typically serve dinner after a 2 or 3 PM wedding, or if they do, they have some other refreshments available in the meantime. Or they're rude and have a gap, but the point is, it's not typical for people to kill three hours socializing before having a bite to eat. It's also pretty typical for people to want food WHILE they're drinking, so that they don't get hammered. I would feel sick drinking for three hours with nothing to eat.

End the ceremony. Let folks move over to the reception, and have food already set out there. Have someone announce your entrance. Say a quick thanks to your guests for coming, and then your best man or whoever can give the toast. Then you can cut the cake and open the floor for dancing.

Mrs.B6302007 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_going-ceremony-reception-same-location?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:9c62903a-bde1-4b56-acc7-00a9420fe77cPost:ac8f6def-8475-4599-8dac-2115cf088098">Re: Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>ok i am just going to say this IF you have an afternoon wedding yes you will have a dinner at say what 5 or 6 when you have been married at what 2-3??</strong> Thats 3-4 hrs... and also Doesnt anyone have a midnight buffet because the guest have been drinking usually u offter that?? However I am not having a dinner i agree with maybe tiny little pass around or'doveres however I am thinking yes tables..<strong> I not serving dinner do to not enough money and too many people.. </strong>This way we can do this... and my invitations will hvae it on them.. <strong>I just need to know how to go from ceremony to speeches ot party</strong>
Posted by ELindsay12[/QUOTE]

But cocktail hours are offered about 2 hours before the dinner is actually served. The point is, the reception is for your guests. Asking them to wait 3 hours to eat ANYTHING is ungracious.

While a dinner isn't necessary, if you're providing enough appetizers to equate a meal, your budget is not your guests' problem. Your budget should have been set first, then your guest list made from that.

Are you having a DJ? ETA: Opal's advice in her last paragraph is spot on.

september's bride · April 2011

Huh?

You really should re-read your posts before submitting them, becuase they're lacking in the clarity department.

To answer your previous post, yes, people can have a gap between ceremony and reception, but it's considered proper etiquette to serve (at minimum) some type of light snack and refreshment while they wait for the reception to begin. In your case, you're having an evening ceremony, to be followed by food at 10pm. Traditionally, you would serve something light in between those times to satisfy your guests, but since you're going from ceremony to reception at the same venue, you definitely need to at least provide SOMETHING while they wait for the 10pm food to come out. I'd suggest having trays of hors d'oeurves laid out for people to nibble on while they wait.

You can still do speeches and whatever else you want, just as you would any other time, but it's not fair to make your guests wait til 10pm to eat cocktail food while you do your dances and speeches. Feed the people first, for the love of God.

Mrs.B6302007 · April 2011

Hold the phone. Your wedding isn't until Jan 2013. Don't get too ahead of yourself or you'll stress yourself out.

impslave · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_going-ceremony-reception-same-location?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:9c62903a-bde1-4b56-acc7-00a9420fe77cPost:9f30a8f1-127e-4ca9-b944-eb0d32a8fd43">Re: Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location</a>:
[QUOTE]Hold the phone. Your wedding isn't until Jan 2013. Don't get too ahead of yourself or you'll stress yourself out.
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]

*headdesk*

mkrupar · April 2011

Maybe if you saved money between now and 2013 you'd have the money to feed your guests properly.

I don't understand your logic in that a 7pm ceremony equates 10 feeding time. Gaps aren't usually welcomed. There are some ladies on here that I know don't mind them, but that's when there's typically a late morning or early afternoon ceremony followed by a dinner reception at TWO different locations.

Your event is going to be in.the.same.place. How in the world would you justify to your guests that they have to wait around 3 hours before getting a scrap of food? WTH will you be doing for 3 hours that you cannot feed your guests immediately following the ceremony?

RobotLegs · April 2011

My biggest issue is not having tables/chairs. Please please please have a seat for every butt, regardless of whether you're serving dinner or not.

Beachy730 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_going-ceremony-reception-same-location?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:9c62903a-bde1-4b56-acc7-00a9420fe77cPost:60cb5d9a-a8db-4b17-aa3c-3551686d276a">Re: Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location</a>:
[QUOTE]My biggest issue is not having tables/chairs. Please please please have a seat for every butt, regardless of whether you're serving dinner or not.
Posted by RobotLegs[/QUOTE]

<div>That too. Nothing to eat and nowhere to sit is going to result in people leaving after about an hour. </div><div>
</div><div>By any chance, are you also having a cash bar? </div>

NOLAbridealmost · April 2011

I am guessing OP is about 15 years old.

sweetcanadian1979 · April 2011

if you can't afford to have a dinner how about making the "luncheon" yourself and put it out right after speeches? My cousin had a 7pm wedding, did a luncheon with real roast beef/ham/turkey, salads, buns, pickles, cheese etc as a cold plate for around $500 for 120 people, it can be done CHEAP, you just ask other people to cook the food for you, cut it up etc etc (though you provide the groceries) this way not 1 person is left holding the whole bag.

You want to invite alot of people, have them bring you a gift or money of at least $40 or more and you repay them by not having food set out? TACKY!!! not to mention rude!!! I would NOT leave my gift behind on my way out. Even for a 7pm wedding most people will have left home by 6-6:30 depending how far away they are from site, and that is prime dinner time, unless they want to get ready at 2pm to be able to have an early supper most wont have eaten. I have been to many weddings (huge families) and you will have no one left as other pp's have said.

ELindsay12 · April 2011

I like all the suggestion but attacking my idea isn't nice nor respectful i asked for suggestions yes but you don't know the whole story and glad none of you will be invited as you don't respect not everyone can have a 100 person wedding or everyone has money to afford it yes I take the seats i realize the whole seats now and I now realize I might have little deserts or finger foods at first then later a hot buffet of different foods because I am not having a sit down dinner does not make me look tacky but thanks

newsgrl39 · April 2011

OP, periods at the end of sentences does wonders. People will take you more seriously with proper grammar.

Mrs.B6302007 · April 2011

[QUOTE]I like all the suggestion but attacking my idea isn't nice nor respectful i asked for suggestions yes but you don't know the whole story and glad none of you will be invited as you don't respect not everyone can have a 100 person wedding or everyone has money to afford it yes I take the seats i realize the whole seats now and I now realize I might have little deserts or finger foods at first then later a hot buffet of different foods because I am not having a sit down dinner does not make me look tacky but thanks [/QUOTE]

No one was attacking you for not having a sit-down dinner; you were told that was okay several times. The issue that was noticed was the TIMING of serving the appetizers/finger foods. People gave you advice so that you wouldn't be rude to your guests. You were also given suggestions on the transition from ceremony to reception. It seems that you are considering offering some food immediately after the ceremony, so that's good.

I will also ditto the use of proper punctuation when you post in the future. It is extrememly difficult to grasp what you are trying to say.

EllenG27 · April 2011

OP:
We could know 'the whole story' if you told us more info.
No one called you 'tacky'.
We are trying to help you - But please, for the love of God, use punctuation! This is not a text!

Going from Ceremony to Reception in same location

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