How Long Is A Wedding Reception?

tamtam7

I'm wondering if our wedding ceremony and reception is too long?  It is 5 hours.  We are doing kinda like a mix and mingle cocktail style reception.  I want to make sure that we have enough time to do all of the big stuff, i.e. the bouquet toss, the dances, etc.  So what do you think, is 5 hours too long?  How long is your wedding ceremony and reception all together?

TINAMM

4 hours for the reception is usually customary not including the ceremony which could be anywhere from 30 min- 1 hour if things are running on time, however depending on the venue  a reception could be 6 hours. Now our ceremony and reception are at different locations so ceremony including drive time to our reception is about 5 1/2-6 hours.  We went to a wedding in September and it cocktails and hordoerves were at 6 but when we left the reception @ 11pm the party was still going strong. it really depends on the venue and how long you feel like dealing with all your guest.

TINAMM

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tamtam7

YAY!!  Thanks for the tip.  I'm going to check them out right now.  What a great price.  I love Kenneth Cole.  And thanks for complimenting my bio.  You know I love your bio.  In fact I'm going to go on right now to sing a long with Jeffrey and the boys.  Thanks for the response to my question too.

TINAMM

LOL! Your welcome! I was just on there, our kids just came in looking at me crazy!

I <3 Seabass

We had 1 hour for CH and then a 4 hour reception with dinner & dancing.

KSTURGIS

It is 5.5 hours. And that includes a cocktail hour for the guest while we take pictures. And we're doing the traditional stuff, first dance, bouquet/garter toss........etc. You will be fine. As long as you plan it all out before hand. It sounds strange to have a schedule on your wedding day. But its necessary
HTH, date twin

berrytr

Ours will be 5 hours, no cocktail hour.  This will allow enough time for the big stuff, meal time and dancing.

lovelyladybabydoll148

Right now from beginning of ceremony to end of reception, we're imagining 6 hours and that includes commute time from ceremony site to reception site.

pinkpanther_truck

From beginning to end 5.5 hours -- ceremony, cocktail, dinner, "big stuff", dancing

coco_chanell

Our ceremony and reception will be at the same site we anticipate 5 hours from start to finish.

OFF

We are having the ceremony and reception at the same site it's 5 hours total.  It's a super short ceremony so I'm thinking the cocktail hour/reception will be probably about 4 and a half hours 

tamtam7

Thanks ladies.  FI seems to think 5 hours is too long.  I'm wondering too if the fact that we are not having a sit down dinner makes a difference at all.  Thanks again for the info.

sdstephens2010

Cocktail reception is 30 minutes and reception is about 2-3 hours.

jwilk002

Ceremony is going to be 1 hour at my church- 3:30-4:30
Cocktail hour begins at our reception venue at 5pm- 15 minute drive from church, which is when we will take pictures etc.
Formal reception starts at 6pm-10pm

YasJas2011

Ours is going to be 6 hours
5:30 Ceremony
6:00 Cocktail Hour
7:00-11:30 Reception

Spim7

Ours is 4 hours for the reception and we scheduled the ceremony for a hour.