Snarky brides are also known for their brutal etiquette honesty, right?
The March 2014 board has a "vent" by a bride who went to the NJ board...and apparently got it handed to her by brides when she told them there's a 4 hour gap between her ceremony and reception. Allegedly, she told these brides she'd tried to have some sort of hospitality room or something set up at her reception venue, but there's already an ongoing wedding at that time, so she's stuck.
What gets me is that during this 4 hour gap, she and her new husband, bridal party and family will be going to a bowling alley for photos, drinks and FREE BOWLING. You read that right- 4 hour gap and they're bowling. No indication if that was decided BEFORE or AFTER they made the arrangements for the ceremony and reception.
I responded as politely as I could, but would someone read my comment to make sure I'm wording this as best as possible? I've copied the whole thing below, but took out her username. The bolded was added by me.
Thanks.
OP: So, I don't go over to the NJ board that often, unless I absolutely have to get information from them. I popped over there the other day to ask for help filling in my 4 hour gap for my guests before our evening reception and got ripped a new one. I just don't understand how they can rip you a new one when they don't even know you. I clearly (or so I thought) explained I had tried everything to shorten the gap but was unsuccessful. Not to mention I tried to get a hospitality suite so guests had something to do before cocktail hour, but that couldn't be done because there is a wedding going on before my reception, so the rooms I would want to use will be used by them (they booked an extra meeting room for a kids babysitting room/activity room so the kids have something "kiddy" to do. Which I think is great. (I didn't tell them about the kiddy room because it wasn't necessary). I've tried everything and can't do anything to help the gap. After the ceremony we're going to our local bar/bowling alley (same place as our rehearsal dinner) for pictures, drinks and Free Bowling (as of last night). We are going to invite those that want to do something before checking in to the hotel (which is 30-45 minutes from the church) to join us, but who knows who will actually come with us.
I just can't believe they'd be so rude/nasty. I actually started crying because they were being so nasty. I'm appalled. It hurts to think that they can't read and understand. As my FI says - they have computer muscles. Since they don't know you IRL they can bash you all from the safety of being in front of their computer screen. Talk about cyber bullying.
Argh. 37 days from my wedding and now I feel bad for not having something nice for guests to do between the ceremony and reception.
Chipmunk:
I'm sorry, but I can't justify your post. Mainly due to the bolded. A four hour gap IS huge, and rude to your guests. I don't have all the details here, ( ie, what time is the ceremony, what time is the reception, how exactly you tried to shorten the gap), but 4 hours for pictures that don't include ceremony AND reception is a bit much. The fact that you're making your guests wait at loose ends so you can not only take pictures, but ALSO have drinks AND play a few games of bowling is very rude, a poor treatment of your guests, and a poor reflection on you and your husband to be.
This isn't bullying, this is etiquette honesty. As I said, I don't know what exactly was said by the NJ bride board; if they called you nasty names, that's bullying. If they said it's rude for you to pull this stunt and leave your guests hanging, that's not bullying, that's honest advice and commentary.
My friend covered her gap between a 3 pm ceremony (ended at 4:30) and a 6:30 reception by having a tea party/mini reception in the church fellowship hall. Have you talked to your church about having some drinks and refreshments in the hall for guests?