What time do I have the reception at?

kvillanella

If my wedding is at 2 pm, what time can i plan the reception for? It will be a small ceremony, 2 bridesmaids and groomsmen, about 60 guests. 

trix1223

By small ceremony, I'm thinking you mean that you're not having a full nuptial mass.  If the ceremony and reception are at the same place, then I'd start the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony.

If you have to travel, allow yourself travel time from ceremony to reception.  If the two are fairly close, I'd start the reception at 3 pm, certainly no later than 3:30 pm. 

MyNameIsNot

How long is your ceremony?  How long does it take to travel from the ceremony to the reception?  Are you having a receiving line after?

Ex:
2-2:30       30 minute ceremony
2:30-2:45  receiving line
2:45-3:00  travel to reception
3:00-4:00  cocktail hour while you do pics
4:00           full on reception starts

aerinpegadrak

You should have your reception ASAP after the end of the ceremony, allowing for any necessary travel time between the venues.  If you're concerned about pictures, you can get some or all of them out of the way before the ceremony, or even during or after the reception.  At my friend's wedding, there was a really lovely part of the reception venue, so about an hour in, the couple and the WP slipped away for 20-30 minutes to take some fun shots.  Very few of the guests even noticed we were gone.  But otherwise, a good photographer should be able to get all the pictures you need in the normal cocktail hour.

lyndausvi

after the end of the ceremony (and of course any travel time needed).

banana468

How long is the ceremony and how long does it take to get to the reception venue?

That's when it should begin.