Wedding timeline (no cocktail hour)

southernbelle0915

lcc14 said:

Thanks, ya'll! It's just not in our budget to have such a heavy meal. My caterer, who has done numerous events and wedding who have followed this timeline, seemed satisfied with this selection. However, learning that a mere jewelry party had more selection than this really can bum you out. Weddings in my small town southern area do not constitute a full cocktail hour followed by a three course meal. (And I should add, I come from a family and background that does like finer things and knows quality.) I am glad my guests won't be used to five course heavy meals, as some of you are, which is fine! Thanks.

Obviously you're going to do whatever you want, but I have to caution you that people will leave early. Not because they don't like you or they're snooty and "used to 5 course meals", as you infer here. But because they're hungry and there isn't enough food. 

Listen, posters here want you to have a successful, fun event where family and friends stay the whole time and have fun. Your current plan doesn't cater to that, so you've gotten advice on how to fix it and what may happen if you don't. Move to a non-meal time or add food - both are great options. Or keep everything as is and risk people leaving early and talking behind your back about your wedding (they will). Take a look back at these posts - almost 100% of posters agree that the current plan isn't sufficient. Doesn't that tell you something?

andreamarie3615

My fiancé and I are not doing a "cocktail hour" either. After the ceremony, the bar will be open and a friend is playing live music while we take pictures. About a half hour into this, the buffet will open up for the guests and we will join them as soon as we are done with pictures.

JoanE2012

lcc14 said:

Thanks, ya'll! It's just not in our budget to have such a heavy meal. My caterer, who has done numerous events and wedding who have followed this timeline, seemed satisfied with this selection. However, learning that a mere jewelry party had more selection than this really can bum you out. Weddings in my small town southern area do not constitute a full cocktail hour followed by a three course meal. (And I should add, I come from a family and background that does like finer things and knows quality.) I am glad my guests won't be used to five course heavy meals, as some of you are, which is fine! Thanks.

That's fine, then just don't have your ceremony/reception over a meal time.  Plan a 2pm ceremony followed by a reception ending at 5pm.

It's incredibly rude to have a ceremony/reception during dinner time but not serve your guests adequately.

JoanE2012

Andreamauk said:

My fiancé and I are not doing a "cocktail hour" either. After the ceremony, the bar will be open and a friend is playing live music while we take pictures. About a half hour into this, the buffet will open up for the guests and we will join them as soon as we are done with pictures.

Please include some food for your guests so they're not drinking on an empty stomach.  It doesn't need to be anything big deal.  Cheese and crackers, a veggie spread.....just something.

lcc14

Our invitations are already printed. Looks like I need to look into some more options now. I appreciate the input.

iloveotters2014

I'm curious as to how much this caterer is charging you since they consider your menu "heavy apps". Honestly my wedding buffet was one of the most affordable aspects of my wedding day and we still 3 months later get compliments on our awesome dinner by our guests.

We went the BBQ route. I hired a food truck that my H and I enjoy at many local food truck rallies. It ended up costing us 15 pp...it would have been less if I had chosen to do 3 sides instead of 4 and cut the cornbread. Either way super affordable and completely amazing.

For cocktail hour my MIL and FIL hit up costco and bought lots of tasty goodies to tide over our guests.

Having a full meal at a wedding doesn't mean you have to have a 3 course plated meal. There are many options that are affordable.