How many hours is the typical wedding?

[Deleted User]

For a ceremony and reception taking place at the same venue, what is the typical number of hours?  Some places we are looking at are limited to 5 hours and I have no idea if that's too short or just right?

fallbride1109

We had a 7-7:30 ceremony and our reception was 7:30-11:30 (with cocktails from 7:30-8:15).  We could have gone to midnight but that would have been the latest.  This is very typical where I live--weddings have a definite beginning and end and people usually do an exit.  Our four hour reception was perfect for us since we paid for a 4-hour open bar (again, this is the norm where I live).  We did everything we wanted and people were still there until the end.

NillaWafer10

Our ceremony and reception were in the same location.  We started our ceremony at 4pm and the reception ended at 9:30.  It was a Sunday night, so the 5.5 hours was perfect.  H and I were exhausted by the end of the night, and I couldn't imagine having had a longer party.  

5 hours isn't that unreasonable as long as you take pictures beforehand.  It might be a little short if you plan to include a cocktail hour in that time frame.

Also remember that most weddings start 10-20 minutes after the time stated on the invitation.  It all depends on how many guests show up late.

[Deleted User]

I think that time frame is ok, however, our ceremony and reception were in different places. We looked at some reception sites that had certain time slots. I was open to the idea at first, but the more I learned, I was afraid things were going to be too rushed. Most of the places that had time limits also were the ones that had food and beverage minimums and I wasn't too sold on that. It may work well for some people, but I don't think we would have made the minimum.

Cynthia1207

Well I know in the States it's a little different but here in Montreal typical weddings are a 12-13 hour affair.  Yes I did say 12-13!!! and this does not count the time you need to get ready.  My ceremony starts at 1PM and that lasts for about 45 min to 1 hour. Pictures in between last about 2 hours. Cocktail hour starts at 5:30 (different location) and the whole thing ends at about 2-3-4 in the morning depending on how your crowd is.  So I wouldn't judge your 5 hours based on this. 

It depends on what you're including in your 5 hours.  Are you having a sit-down dinner?  Cocktail? Buffet-style?  How many hours do you want people to dance (if any)?  Are you including the ''traditional'' things like a bouquet/garter toss?  How long is your ceremony?  Try to come up with a sample timeline and see how things pan out.  I think that would be your best bet.

simplebride_24

I am in a similar situation as the PP; I am in Saskatoon Saskatchewan and total our wedding will be an 11 and a half hour day.  That is a really long day, and that doesn't include the after party which is starting to become really popular here (especially within our family).  Our ceremony is at 230 in the afternoon and we have the hall until 2am, but that is when we have to be out with all decor down. 

 

I have been to a lot of weddings in my time (photographer, and personal) and a few of them have been in the states, I have learned that 5 hours for a reception is the norm.  I don't see why what you have down wouldn't work.  

marissa_claire

I think it varies sooo much by how the whole day pans out.  

Our wedding started at 4 pm and it was a quick ceremony (maybe 10 minutes?  JOP.)  So cocktails were starting at like 4:15 or 4:30.  And everything moved a long pretty quickly, so dinner was done by 7 and dessert started maybe around that time.  We left at 9:30 via towncar and it had cleared out quite a bit by then even.  

However, I've been to weddings where dinner isn't even served until 8 pm, so it really just depends on your day.

dkgilly

I think that seems like a typical length.

Our ceremony & reception are in the same location and we've booked from 5pm-11pm.

hlq2011

As PPs said, it depends on what you're doing in that time frame.  If you're talking about a lunchtime or midday reception, it's probably fine.  If you're talking about a sit-down dinner and dancing, with a cocktail hour, then it might be tight.

We are doing a ceremony at a church and then the reception, at a separate location, will run 5 hours, 5 - 10 pm, including a cocktail hour from 5 to 5:45 or 6.  I feel like that leaves enough time to have dinner and a couple of hours of dancing on the back end.

Storytime

It's typically 1 hour for cocktail hour, and 4 hours for dinner, dancing, and dessert, making 5 hours total.  Most places let you get in early to set up and take photos so you don't miss out on any of it.  If you have a place that isn't a catering hall, you might be able to stick around longer, or set your own hours...

AllyR75

looking back to the weddings i've been to 5 hours seems like the normal amount of time

SCogs18

Recently, I went to a 6 hour wedding. Ceremony at 6:00pm, cocktails immediately after at a different location (but just across the street), followed by a sit down dinner reception.  I was amazed, it was a young crowd, the bride and groom were both 23 and had invited many many fraternity brothers/sorority sisters, but when they tried to make their "grand exit" at 12:00 midnight, so many people had left that we guests didnt have the numbers to line their path to throw rose petals as the happy couple left.  I think 5 hours is pleanty, but be sure to choose your end time carefully, you don't want your guests pittering out before the party is over.

[Deleted User]

Our venue doesn't offer different times, it was set. For Sat. night our ceremony is 8-8:30pm, Cocktails 8:30-9:30, Sit down Reception 9:30-1:30. It's late but we know our friends can handle it. If our parents friends want to cut out early, so be it. Recently FH and I attended a reception that was about the same time frame and at the end of the night it was still pretty full. Depends on your crowd.

lsvensson

From a guest's perspective, anything more than 5 hours sounds torturous.  As PPs said, 1 hour for Ceremony and 4 Hours for Cocktails/Dinner/Dancing sounds perfect.