please vote

rozie6784

hello we are having a destination wedding on the beach in florida and sunset is like 825, so we are planning a 725 ceremony. We orginally thought just open bar and hordervous back at the hotel in a tacky room or do we utilize free shuttle to a classy resturant 2.5 miles from the ceremony/hotel for a nice dinner, or would that be too heavy even though the setting is more upscale.

sara814

Around here, evening weddings have ceremonies that start at 7 or 7:30, then cocktail hour, then dinner. Some weddings have dinner served at 10 PM! 

I'd say have the dinner. It's your wedding! I think that people will understand. 

BTW something I'm learning is that people will have something to say about any decision you make, so it really comes down to what you want. As my FMIL keeps telling me, do what makes you happiest, because people love to complain! 

Madisonpenny

With a ceremony anytime after 7:30 most guests will assume that there is no dinner to follow unless it's stated.  
Most guests will probably eat something before going to the ceremony so on the invitation you may want to write something like " light meal and dancing to follow ceremony' if your only having hors'deouvres. 
If you do choose to serve the meal write something like "dinner and dancing to follow ceremony".

MeaganR12

I don't know if the previous statement is necessarily always true. I went to a wedding last summer that started at 7 pm and I fully expected there to be dinner (there was btw).

I voted for full dinner. I couldn't tell in your original post if you are more concerned about your budget being able to afford it or about whether or not people will be hungry enough for dinner. If it'll be too much money I think heavy appetizers are fine, but if not then do the dinner. Plus, I don't know if everyone else is like this, but I usually eat dinner later on vacation than normal.

ETA: I don't know if madisonpenny edited her post or if I just didn't read it correctly but I was refering to the first part of her post, I actually agree with the second part.

Skyjewell23

^ Exactly what she said. Make sure you let people know which one so they will know whether or not to eat

Nancy00714

 Are most of the people flying there from Ohio?   If so, then I think dinner would be fine.  If most of these people are taking off a few days of work to be with you then I think you should buy them a full meal.  And basic things like dinner time don't apply when you're on vacation. And like you stated in your poll, I'm sure they can make an exception on your wedding day   My guests aren't going to have dinner until 8.00 (cocktail hour at 7).  And exactly like PP and Madison said make sure to inform them about whichever you end up choosing.

I said to do a full meal but If you are concerned about it being too heavy a buffet could work?  That way people can eat as much or as little as they want?  Is this also in the upscale restaurant?

michelle11988

My guests won't be eating until 8pm either.  We are having a cocktail hour at 6:30 and dinner will start at probably 8 after entrances/first dances/etc.  I think you should serve the full meal I didn't doubt in my mind that people wouldn't want a full meal at that time of night.  Also if you do go to the nice restaurant those who want something light will get just that.

BmoreBride311

I would do what you want to do and can afford, just make sure to make it clear on the invitations so ppl know what to expect, like Madison suggested.

butterflyjumper1

do what you want - it is your day!!

8 o'clock isn't late at all. i am going to a wedding in just a few weeks where the ceremony starts at 6:30 with the reception not starting until 7:30 or 8 - and this is in indiana where we aren't very cool and usually people do tend to eat on the early side. so you are totally fine with starting a later meal! 

as other posters said, i would just make sure your invitations indicates that dinner will be served at your reception (if you go that route). alternatively, i would also indicate that your reception would just be cocktails and appetizers if you go that route as well.  

good luck, the ceremony sounds beautiful!