Lately I've been worried about the small gap between our ceremony and cocktail hour, and am wondering what you all think. Everything is at the same venue, but there is 5 to 10 minute walk from the ceremony site to the ballroom.
Ceremony begins at 4pm, and I'm expecting it to last until 4:20pm. We will probably do a receiving line, only 70 or so guests. So pretend you're a guest, and are done greeting us at 4:30pm. Add a 5 minute walk, and it's now 4:35pm. My problem is the cocktail hour starts at 5pm.
My mom thinks the guests can mingle in the vineyard or on the terrace until food and drinks are served at 5pm. I think 20 minutes of mingling without food is too long. Should I start cocktail hour at 4:30pm? Or let guests enjoy the views hungry until 5pm. If I change the cocktail hour, our night would end at 9:30pm instead of 10pm. Ceremony has to start at 4pm, already ordered invitations. Easier said than done
CN: I have about 20 minutes between ceremony and cocktail hour. Should I change that, or can guests manage 20 minutes with no food or drinks?