Afternoon cocktail reception timeline

hales2010

I have done my research by searching this topic and I want to make sure that I am not breaking any etiquette and see if my timeline is ok.

So my FI and I decided to have an afternoon cocktail reception that way our out of town guests can visit with our families and we also wanted to go out to have an after party that night with some friends. Our ceremony will be at 1pm at our family church and the reception is at county club (5 to 10 minutes drive from the church). The light hor dourves (such as cheese, fruit and vegetable tray, ect) will be available when the guests get there along with the bar being open. For the bar it will just be beer and wine since that is what we could afford without having to have a cash bar (big no). The heavier hor dourves and stations will be out when we get there. Does this timeline seem like a good timeline or no?

1:00- Ceremony
1:30-ceremony concludes (light hor dourves and bar will open as soon as guests start to arrive)
2:00-annoucning bride and groom and first dance
2:15 heavy hor dourves and station brought out
3:00-5 father daughter/mother son dance, toasts, cake cutting garter and bouquet toss and departing

If there is any way to help this or any suggestions please let me know! I am open for an suggestions! This is just a rough outline so I feel it needs some help. We have the venue until 5 regardless.

southernbelle0915

I think it sounds really nice. If you're at all worried about people being confused about the meal-time (lunch) thing, you might push the ceremony to 1:30 or 2 and have the reception from 2 or 2:30-5pm. 

I love these kinds of weddings, BTW. Also, it sounds like you're having PLENTY of food.

artbyallie

Unless the heavier apps are going to involve at least 8-10 pieces per guest, I would advise pushing your ceremony to 2 so your guests will be able to eat beforehand. You also don't need a cocktail hour (which is what your light apps and open bar would be) if you're not actually serving a meal. Instead just have all the food available immediately following the ceremony. Then when you arrive, do all three spotlight dances, you and groom can get a bite to eat and then cut the cake and do whatever else fairly soon after.

I think it's unlikely most people will stay until 5, honestly. Our wedding was 10am with a lunch reception and practically everyone was gone by about 2pm. Basically only our immediate families and the wedding party were still there to see us off.

hales2010

We will probably end up moving it to 2. As for the food we having everything from a craving station, pasta station, potato bar, chicken dippers, meatballs, chips and dips, mozzarella sticks, vegetable spring rolls, ham and swiss rolls..ect. We will have plenty of food because that is the one thing we decided to put the majority of our budget toward. I know most will not stay till 5. It just came with renting the space. My FI grandmother is a member of the club so we have it for the day up until 5. The space itself is free. The only thing we have to pay for is food, drinks, and gratuity.

Lauderdale Pink

I think you have done an amazing job with the food.  Your original time line would still work because there is so much food, nobody will even care if they missed lunch.  Great idea on the beer and wine as well. Wishing you all the best.