August 18,2012

ttublemac

Anyone else getting married August 18th? 

I feel like I haven't done anything yet, but I have my venue, photographer, cupcakes, and dress.

We are doing a cheap and easy reception, finger foods and drinks.  Nothing too extravagent, but I want it to be tasteful and stylish. 

The one thing I am worried about is that we are have an evening ceremony, 5:45, but the reception ends around 9.  That makes the timeline really tight, so we aren't going to have a DJ, just an Ipod.  I don't know if people expect dancing, but I am not planning on having a big dance party kind of reception.  I do want to have our first dance...but thats really it.  Any ideas when we should do that?  I have seen where people do there first dance right away when they come into the reception, or should we wait until after eating?

Any suggestions would be apprecitated.  Thanks.

mbatzlaff

I'm also getting married August 18th. Is there a reason why you have to start the ceremony at 5:45 and end the reception at 9? I'm wondering because you are doing it right over dinner time and if I attended I would be expecting dinner. I would consider moving the times up (cermony at 2 and reception ends by 5). If you don't want to have a DJ thats up to you, but it may seem strange if you do a first dance and then don't have time for guests to dance. I'd plan for at least an hour of dancing if you want a first dance. Using an ipod is fine.

I can't really decide if you should do the first dance before or after eating because that all depends on what you want to do. I'm still trying to decide this for mine as well.

leamide

I'm also getting married on the 18th! It may be good to redo your time if you aren't planning on serving a dinner or include that in your invitations that there will be finger foods served.
I have most of the big stuff taken care of, church, venue, DJ, photographer, and catering. My dress is also in!!! Still need to work on getting the cake and all the small things taken care of! I think that will be the challenge!

Good Luck to you!

DeClue82

I'm getting married August 18th too! Such a great date! We have most of ours planned because unexpectedly my fiancé got a job in Ohio, meanwhile our whole wedding is planned in North Carolina! Ahhhhh anyways, I agree that you either need to make sure your guests know that dinner will not be served or adjust tour time a bit. Heavy appetizers might work, but if you are doing open bar you may not want anyone acting too crazy!

gymbugmj2k

8/18 here too! we've got most of the big stuff planned, and all the dresses are in!  we're on to cake and invitations....

how long is the ceremony??  from the sounds of your timeline, it seems as though the ceremony will be 15-20 minutes...which would give you from 6-9 for the reception.  i would definitely have some sort of heavier food since that is typically dinnertime. 
if the ceremony is a typical formal 'hour long' type thing, then yes, it is a tight timeline.

it sounds like the whole event will be more of a cocktail hour vibe...in which case it would make more sense to do the first dance to begin with while people mill around and eat.  it wouldn't make too much sense to call for a first dance while people will arleady be grazing on the food and perhaps already dancing.

if there is an actual sit down meal, then the first dance can go either before or after. ive seen it both ways and both work out fine.

Amandalyn2104

I'm an August 18th bride too  We have all the big stuff plan.  Right now we are deciding on invitations and honeymoon.  

I agree with either letting the guest know it will be only finger foods or changing times.

mrsR12

8/18/12 here too....we are 7 months away ladies.  FI and I are getting a bit anxious now.  most of our big items are done also.  just need to finalize a few other things.  I need to book my hair/make up still

jess715

Hi fellow 8/18/12'ers! I'm so excited, I can't believe we are exactly 7 months away to the day. I agree, I am getting suuuuperrrr anxious as well...I say do the first dance right away, that way you still have everyone's attention and all eyes are on you. Once people start eating and drinking they are easily distracted!

LibraShawn

I agree with first dance right away! 8/18 bride here too! Also have most big items done! Good luck with whatever u decide