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Ceremony/Reception timeline question

Pepper630Pepper630
First Comment
in Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
We are having our ceremony and reception at the same venue.  Our ceremony will probably take 30 minutes, followed immediately by cocktail hour. So 5pm wedding, cocktail hour from 5:30-6:30.  How long should the reception be?  I was thinking 6:30-11:30, but my fiance says that seems long.  Aren't most receptions 5 hours? Thanks in advance for the feedback!
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Re: Ceremony/Reception timeline question

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    tdmaustdmaus
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Our reception venue gave us a timeline of 6.30 - 11.30pm for our reception. 6.30-7.30pm is cocktail hour, so 4 hours left for dinner and dancing. Hope that helps
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    jelybeancgjelybeancg
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Our reception is 5 hours including the cocktail hour. 6pm-7pm cocktail hour, 7pm-11pm dinner/dancing.

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    TeepTeep member
    First Comment First Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Ditto PPs. Our ceremony and reception are at the same place as well. My venue said receptions are usually 4 hours. We're getting a 5 hour open bar. Our timeline is 5:30 ceremony, 6-7 cocktail hour, 7-11 reception.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Our reception was 5 hours as well.  Most places tell you how long it will be when you book, unless you add extra time.
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    WLevine75WLevine75 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Most places are 5 hour events. 1 hour cocktail reception and 4 hour dinner dance. (Take it from me who is a wedding planner) :)

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    teacup0618teacup0618 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Most places that we looked at were total of 5 hours ..1 hour cocktail and 4 hour reception. We added an extra hour onto ours..most of the older people leave earlier anyway, and the younger people stay and dance/drink. 4 hours is plenty though..hope this helps!
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    Cackle6Cackle6 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm lucky - we have our venue until 2AM, so we can play it by ear. Some weddings 5 hours seem too long, while others, like NCV's, seem too short! I could have danced for at least another hour at hers! :)

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    whitma87whitma87
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    5 hours tops with cocktail hour. we're having our wedding at 2pm, 2:30-3:30 is cocktail hour, 3:30-7:30 is reception.
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    Pepper630Pepper630
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thank you everyone! This really helps.  We technically have the venue all day, and just need to be out by 12am.   Looks like a 5:30 ceremony, 6-7pm cocktail hour and 7-11pm reception will be just fine.  Thanks again!
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