Seeking advice for timing of ceremony due to special event

knottie0b846f29693aafb9

This is a bit odd but we are having our wedding on Kentucky Derby day. We usually have a big bash at the house so we wanted to incorporate it. We are having a short ceremony, 1 hr cocktail and and 4 hour reception all at the same venue. We plan on showing the race, it's only about 2 minutes, and starts at 6:57pm. So ideally TVs on at 6:45/6:50

My question is: When should we have the race? I'm thinking towards the end of cocktail hour and then move into reception for dinner? I know bridge and groom usually don't attend cocktail hour but we do not have a wedding party. So I am assuming our photos won't take too long. Or we could do them ahead of time instead. 

We aren't planning to do most of the traditions of announcing the couple, cake cutting ect. Will be more like a chill party so none of that needs to be fit in. 

banana468

I think you may want to consider doing the race after dinner.   Consider that you'd need to move all the guests from the cocktail hour to the reception and that can be like....herding cats.  People can take FOREVER to get up to move.  If you could have the race at the end of the meal portion then you won't have hungry guests - but that's just my thought. 

MyNameIsNot

I'm a Louisville native, so this is pretty cool to me. I hope you're wearing a hat at some point in the day. 

I would plan for the race to be during cocktail hour. Most people will stand and crowd around tvs to watch. That's easier if you're in the cocktail space where most people are already standing around socializing versus having them already sitting at tables. 

climbingsingle

I agree that having it during the cocktail hour is the best idea. 

ILoveBeachMusic

Yes during the cocktail hour is the best idea. I think having dinner before the race makes it too early. Also if by chance there are people that don't want to watch the race it would be less noticeable.

MesmrEwe

The short answer is - whichever you think will work best given your guests and their access to televisions for the official viewing party!  7PM is somewhat late to start dinner.  IMO the best "flow" would be to have it be the transition between the cocktail hour/cut the cake (best time to do this oddly enough is before you sit down to eat so the catering staff can keep the process moving), meal and the official start of the dance so everyone's in that "YAY!!!  WHOOHOO!!" at the winner to shift right into the dance!

knottie0b846f29693aafb9

oh I may already have picked out at least 2 hats for myself and others are encouraged to wear them. IDK if that will cause problems at the ceremony for shorter people lol but i don't care!