How early is too early for a Saturday morning ceremony?

caiters91

My fiance and I are thinking about having a late morning ceremony with a brunch reception. My parents are fine with the idea but I'm not sure about my future mother-in-law. She thinks anything before 11 a.m. is way too early. We want to have the afternoon to do pictures and enjoy ourselves before an evening after party that my future in-laws would be hosting. Our reasoning behind this is all about budget. We don't want to do a "first look" and definitely will not be able to afford a cocktail hour. Also, the sun shines beautifully through the stain glass windows in my church at about 10:00 am.  Any thoughts?

MrsGandthebeag

We went to a 10am wedding last year and I found it an odd time.  They did provide a cocktail hour after the ceremony and a full lunch.

snippet17

Wait. So are you saying that you want a late afternoon ceremony, brunch, and a late party?  What are you planning on your guests to do during that long period of time?

I have been to a 11am wedding, but they had a cocktail hour and lunch following that. 

caiters91

We're wanting a late morning ceremony and then a full brunch reception (not just a hors devours). The evening party would mainly be for college friends and family friends who drink. The family friends live in this area and our college friends could stay at my family's cabin. We live in a very tourist friendly area of West Virginia and there is plenty to do in the Greenbrier Valley on a Saturday afternoon (organic farmer's markets, great shopping, coffee shops, the Greenbrier Hotel, etc). We would include all of that information on the invitations to the after party. I definitely do not expect every guest at the after party, but around here anyone who truly cares for us would not hesitate to attend or think twice about it being a few hours after the reception.. Thank you all for your suggestions. 

leatba

So to be clear are you hosting the brunch reception AND the party later?

NYCMercedes

Why not be married at 10 and brunch thereafter? Your plan sounds lovely.

caiters91

My parents would host the brunch reception. My in-laws offered to cover the alcohol for the after party and my parents would cover the food costs for the after party (our moms and grandmothers would be will to cook for it)... Thanks NYCMercedes :)

Jen4948

I'd say 10am is the absolute earliest a wedding should be scheduled-and even then, I'd move it up closer to 11am.

MairePoppy

A 10 a.m. ceremony, immediately followed by a full brunch reception is perfect. It's an excellent way to save money and still have an elegant event. Cocktail hour is not necessary as long as there is no gap between the ceremony and brunch.

To clarify: you want to take pictures in the afternoon, AFTER the brunch and have some quiet time. The ILs are hosting an after party that same evening. Everyone is invited, but you are not expecting that everyone will show up to evening party. I can't find a single fault with your plan.

To answer your question: A 10am ceremony is fine if your guests are local or staying at your family's cabin and if you feel it gives you enough time to get ready. People go to church every weekend in the morning. Once upon a time, morning weddings were not considered to be unusual.

AddieL73

Our ceremony was at 10:30 followed by appetizers while we did pictures and then lunch at about 11:30. The whole event was over by 2:00. We felt it was perfect. Guests came, saw us get married, had lunch with us, and then went on with their day!

RetreadBride

This is fine, so long as you serve something directly after the ceremony for the guests (which you are doing, with the brunch).

Is this not too early for you and the wedding party to get ready? You'll be up very early to get hair, makeup, etc. done.

LiLe422

I think what you are planning sounds fine. Keep in mind, starting early and ending late with an after party is going to make for a LONG day. I am having a brunch reception as well. Ceremony will be from 11:30 to 12. Reception from 12 to 4.

SKPM

One consideration: I was a BM a few years ago in an 11:00 am ceremony, and the bride had offered to let us use her hairstylist at our expense, which I opted to do. At the RD, the bride informed me that I needed to be in the suite for hair at 4:30 am. I was less than thrilled; but I made it, had a great time at the wedding, and went to bed before dinner time. Please be cognizant of your WP and their schedule if you do a morning ceremony.

caiters91

I didn't even think of how early we'd have to get ready.. Thanks for bringing that up because that's something to consider!

AddieL73

The getting up super early part was a bit of a challenge. I got up around 6, which wouldn't have been so bad if we hadn't gotten to the hotel so late the night before after the rehearsal dinner and going back to our place to pick up the things we needed for the wedding. My aunt and bridesmaids also had to go do the setup that morning, so that made them pressed for time getting ready as well. So if you or anyone in your bridal party is helping to set up, keep that in mind as far as a timeline, too. 

kwitherington

I went to a wedding last year that started at 10 a.m. on a Saturday.   It was followed by a "cocktail hour" during which they served apps, coffee, rum and apple cider.  Then brunch when the B&G got there.  They had an after party that night, around 7 or so, and it was fine.  We had to take a red eye flight to get there, so we took the afternoon to nap and recover for the after party.  All in all I loved it and it was a great wedding, though it was VERY hard to get there on time since I couldn't take work off at that point.  One other thing to keep in mind if you have a lot of out of town guests.

NOLAbridealmost

I think 10AM is fine for a brunch wedding. I think 11 would be a little more pleasant for me (and I am an early riser) because it gives you a little time to get dressed up, buy a last-minute gift/card, run an errand or two, etc.  But I wouldn't bat an eye at 10AM.   Anything earlier is just cruel.  People wanna sleep in when they can! =) 

Your wedding sounds lovely, btw.

Bossygirl1986

I think its a great Idea! Give you more time to do pictures and have more time to leave for your honeymoon. 

SCD1126

My sister had an 11am ceremony and I was her only attendant. It was CRAZY trying to get last minute things done and getting ready. I would not do that to myself.

That said her wedding was beautiful and the guests were none the wiser, but it was nuts for us.

littlelynde919

In Response to How early is too early for a Saturday morning ceremony?:

It sounds nice, but definitely consider how long it's going to take you and your bridesmaids to get ready. I was in a wedding a couple years ago that started at 1 pm, we had to be to my friend's house by 7 am to get ready and even then we were rushing. She had her cousin doing all our hair though and there were 6 attendants I think. She had the traditional evening reception too so it made for a very long day for everyone in the wedding party, I really wasn't able to enjoy the reception because I was exhausted, but guests who weren't in the wedding didn't seem to have a problem.

jnelly10

I am having my ceremony on not only a Saturday morning but a holiday weekend. It was cheaper that way and since it is by the water we wanted to maximize our time with the view. Our ceremony is 10-11 cocktail hour 12-1 and reception 1-5. The church and reception are about 30 min away. It will be a full day for my guest and I but at the end of the day the most important people I'm sure will be there for my early ceremony. As for me, I am sure I will be up anyway overcome with wedding jitters. Just remember its YOUR day and whatever works best for you is what you should do.

stefnshane

In Response to How early is too early for a Saturday morning ceremony?:

My fiance and I are thinking about having a late morning ceremony with a brunch reception. My parents are fine with the idea but I'm not sure about my future mother-in-law. She thinks anything before 11 a.m. is way too early. We want to have the afternoon to do pictures and enjoy ourselves before an evening after party that my future in-laws would be hosting. Our reasoning behind this is all about budget. We don't want to do a "first look" and definitely will not be able to afford a cocktail hour. Also, the sun shines beautifully through the stain glass windows in my church at about 10:00 am.  Any thoughts?
Posted by caiters91

i personally think that its YOUR day and it doesnt matter what everyone else thinks, i know it sounds bridezilla, but this is the begining of the rest of your life with your new man, your wedding should reflect what you want. in addition, what may be good for the mother in law, may not work for you and she needs to accept and deal.