Wedding Reception Forum

Early Arrivers

I'm wondering about early arrivers to the reception. We're having a full Catholic mass. I'm estimating the service to end at 4:00-4:15, 20-30 minutes for the receiving line and everything, and a 20 minute drive to the reception. I figured we'd start our cocktail hour at 5. I also think some people will hightail it over immediately after the ceremony ends or that people may skip the ceremony and just go to the reception. Given the per-person costs of the cocktail hour and it's 'importance' here I don't want to start it too early and have many of our guests miss it. 

Am I correct in thinking some guests will be there early?

Would an appropriate solution be having Mimosas and the fruit vegetable & cheese display available from 4 or 4:30 and then start the cocktail hour at 5?

The venue books 6 hours so we have it from 4:00-10:00.

Re: Early Arrivers

  • Jen4948Jen4948 member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    It's possible that some people will get there early, so I'd be prepared for it.  The mimosas and hors d'oeuvres you have planned sound good.
  • i would reconsider the start time of the re3ceiving line. once you see people they will head right over to the reception venue not stand around and wait for you to go through the whole line. assume that the first people on the receiving line will show up at the reception venue 24 minutes after the ceremony is over (oa few mins on line for you and then 20 min drive).

    or skip the receiving line, go right to the venue and talk to your guests during the cocktail hour and reception instead.

     

  • itzMSitzMS member
    First Answer First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment
    edited May 2013

    Does your church have an evening Mass? They may not even permit the recieving line.

    Ask your priest first. Regardless, have your venue prepared to start serving 90 minutes after your ceremony starts. (60-70 minutes for mass, 20 minute drive).

    Yes, people will arrive early. Lots of non-Catholic guests skip the full mass ceremonies. DH & I always skip recieving lines and head straight to the reception.

     


  • i would reconsider the start time of the re3ceiving line. once you see people they will head right over to the reception venue not stand around and wait for you to go through the whole line. assume that the first people on the receiving line will show up at the reception venue 24 minutes after the ceremony is over (oa few mins on line for you and then 20 min drive).

    or skip the receiving line, go right to the venue and talk to your guests during the cocktail hour and reception instead.

    We have to be out by 4:30 for the evening mass.

    I (may be wrong) always thought it was rude not to thank your guests after the service? I'd honestly rather skip the receiving line personally, but I can hear all the little old ladies clicking their tongues already. 

  • Jen4948Jen4948 member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its

    i would reconsider the start time of the re3ceiving line. once you see people they will head right over to the reception venue not stand around and wait for you to go through the whole line. assume that the first people on the receiving line will show up at the reception venue 24 minutes after the ceremony is over (oa few mins on line for you and then 20 min drive).

    or skip the receiving line, go right to the venue and talk to your guests during the cocktail hour and reception instead.

    We have to be out by 4:30 for the evening mass.

    I (may be wrong) always thought it was rude not to thank your guests after the service? I'd honestly rather skip the receiving line personally, but I can hear all the little old ladies clicking their tongues already. 

    If you and FI go to each table at your reception to greet your guests, you can skip the receiving line.

  • I doubt your receiving line will take 20 to 30 minutes. We just had H and I in ours and we got through 80 guests in less than 10 minutes. However, even if it does, the first person through the line will be at cocktail hour 20-30 minutes before you guys do. The whole point to cocktail hour is to give the guests something to do while they wait for the bride and groom to arrive/dinner to be served. So, it's really not a huge deal if some of the guests miss the first part of it, and that is definitely preferable to having other guests wait an hour and a half for the main event to begin. I'd start cocktail hour at 4:30.

    I figured the receiving line to be 15 - 20 minutes, our guest list stands at 220. I've never been to a wedding where the majority of the guests leave the church before the bride and groom, basically they follow the limo to the reception site.

    4:00 + 15 receiving line + 10 few quick photos + 5 getting going + 15 drive + 5 parking = 4:50 at the earliest or 4:15 + 20 receiving line + 10 few quick photos + 5 getting going + 20 drive + 5 parking = as late as 5:10

    assumed 5:00 a safe plan.

    One thing I am certain of, the cocktail hour is much more than a time filler in this area (though lurking here learned that this is not the fact elsewhere) and is pretty pricey for a lot of people to miss up to 2/3 of.


  • If you want to skip the receiving line, and no one in your immediate family will have a conniption, do it. We aren't having one at ours, because we plan on spending a few minutes with each of our guests during the reception. Granted, we're only having about 85 of them, so that makes it much easier, but by just going from table to table during the reception you can accomplish the same thing.

    I've also seen weddings where the bride's and the groom's parents do a receiving line while the bride, groom, and bridal party head off to start taking pictures. That could mollify those who insist on having one.
    image
  • If you want to skip the receiving line, and no one in your immediate family will have a conniption, do it. We aren't having one at ours, because we plan on spending a few minutes with each of our guests during the reception. Granted, we're only having about 85 of them, so that makes it much easier, but by just going from table to table during the reception you can accomplish the same thing.

    I've also seen weddings where the bride's and the groom's parents do a receiving line while the bride, groom, and bridal party head off to start taking pictures. That could mollify those who insist on having one.
    Table visits are perfectly acceptable, but if she is having over 200 guests, it's going to take up a BIG chunk of time at the reception. It is also harder to be sure you get to everyone that way with a large crowd. Not saying don't do it, but something worth considering.
    Oh I totally agree. I was just trying to give an alternative, since OP said herself that she would rather skip the receiving line.
    image

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