Good time to have Wedding/ Reception?

thiott

If we decided to have a full meal served at my daughters reception What time do we need to have the wedding/ reception? BBQ will be served.

cwaggoner07

I'll tell you what we did, and it worked out pretty well.

Our ceremony and reception were in the exact same location, and since we did a first look, we didn't have many pictures to do afterwards.

So we did not do a cocktail hour, and immediately following the ceremony, everyone went right inside to eat BBQ buffet-style.

7:00 Ceremony

7:30 Ceremony over, everyone started gradually filtering in to get drinks and food. We took a few family pictures, but really didn't need much time.

Then my groom and I went upstairs to eat along to make sure we got enough to eat. Our coordinator had set up our food ahead of time.

8:00 Everyone else was still mingling around getting food, some were sat and eating, and we were introduced and went straight into our spotlight dances. It worked out well since everyone was eating while we were dancing and it didn't slow down the flow.

ETA: We did our exit at midnight, which allowed a full 4 hours for our reception. I thought it was perfect.

thiott

We shouldn't need much time for after photos either since most will be done before hand. The reception will either be at the church itself or at the masonic lodge 1/2 mile away (Not much travel time). I was thinking about having the salad and maybe a cold fruit soup served while we were finishing photos so the Bride and Grrom would be there by the time everyone got ready to eat the main course. Since as far as I'm concerned there will be no "COCKTAIL" hour other than tea or lemonade especially if its at the church..

Jen4948

It sounds to me like a lunch or dinner reception would be in order if you're doing barbecue.
What time is your wedding?

jessicabessica

I'm in the camp that you can serve a meal at any time.  

Our wedding was all at the same location, and we did:

1 pm ceremony

1:45ish cocktail hour

2:45 reception, with plated soup and salad and then a buffet and dessert bar

Our officiant had other commitments that day and couldn't do it any later, and we aren't big night owls, anyway.  We did pictures before the ceremony, but did a couple extended family shots during cocktail hour.

You can have a social hour without alcohol if you want.  Just have drinks (tea and lemonade sound perfect) and some light snacks.  

thiott

WE were thinking about having the wedding at 5 and reception at about 6:30 but I don't want the guest to be starving during the ceremony. The ceremony should be over by 5:45 so that means the guests could be eating salad and soup by 5:50-6. Do you think that would work? 

We (bride, groom,parents of bride, sister and uncle of bride, mother of groom, brother of groom and best man) are leaving for Florida on Sunday morning after wedding on Saturday to leave on a cruise Monday. This means everything has to be cleaned and put back in place before we leave. I really don't want to be up really late at reception and then have to do all the clean up afterwards. I know I will have a really long week of preparing for the wedding. And I should mention its a 7 hr ride from home to Tampa.

reppunzel

I was in a friend's wedding that started around 4, I think ... maybe 3:30?  Reception (BBQ sandwiches) was immediately afterward in the church fellowship hall.  They did spotlight dances, a slide show and then cut the cake.  They left at about 7:15 and we (bridal party and family) had everything cleaned up by 9.  Maybe something like that would work for you?