Afternoon Reception

crystaloxner

I posted this on my local board too, but I thought I'd repost it here.  This being my second wedding (fiance's first), I've discovered that I'm not as concerned with "proper etiquette" and am more concerned with what's perfect for he and I.We just got word that we will have to be out of our preferred ceremony location by 3:30pm the day of our ceremony. We're looking at a very small wedding - max 50 guests - and want to have a rehearsal dinner type reception as our main reception. If we have a ceremony at 2:00pm, it will be done by 3. What are your thoughts having an early dinner reception around 4 or 4:30pm?  We COULD push the reception back until 5 or 5:30, but what will guests (and us) do during the gap? Our reception will be dinner only - we have agreed we don't want any of the traditional "stuff" (dancing, bar, garter, bouquet, etc) - it's just going to be a family dinner type celebration.The other option is to have a Sunday afternoon wedding around 2:30pm, but that would mean the reception would be even earlier, and I personally like Saturday better than Sunday...Thoughts?

crystaloxner

You are right - it's not etiquette that I'm not concerned about.  It's the formality and tradition that I'm not concerned with.Thanks for your suggestions!

handfast4me

In New England, where I grew up, the "Catholic Gap" was very common, as most of the couples were Catholic.  The gap is caused by everyone having to be out of the church by 3 at the latest because of Saturday evening Mass beginning at 4 or 5, depending on the diocese.  Anyway, it's common there for a 2 to 3 hour gap--sometimes longer.  Many guests go and change into less formal clothes.  Would it be possible to have a cocktail hour from 4 to 5, then dinner after that?  That would kill some time, and still give your guests an hour to get to the reception site.  Which in some cities is not that long at all. I thought it was funny that you said you're having a very small reception.  50 guests is mid-sized for me, as I had about 60 people at my first wedding.  This time I did it very small--no guests, no attendants. 

yellow_grace

Would it be possible to have a morning ceremony and a family dinner at lunchtime or a luncheon of some sort? Or, if you finish up by 3pm, starting a cocktail hour/refreshments at 4 with a seated dinner at 5 could work without having too long of a gap for out-of-town guests.