Gap between ceremony and reception

alexanderj1

Hey there,We are having our wedding at 2 pm, and the reception will not start until around 6 pm. We are debating what to do with our guests in the interim. The wedding will be at Xavier University, and the reception will probably also be at a central location, but many of the guests are from the west side, so I don't want them to have to go all the way home in between. My parents also live on the west side, so they wouldn't really be able to host an open house. We talked about renting space at a park, or getting a tent on Xavier's campus, and just serving light refreshments. Any suggestions??

Debbydew

My best friend's wedding had the same time line and it was in the Fairfield area. I was MOH, so we did pics and all that during the break, but the guests were left to fend for themselves, and a lot were from Dayton. It kinda sucked for them, because their whole day was consumed. Do you think if you host a pre-reception party for 4 hours that people will then come to the reception and spend another 4 hours, or will they just leave? It's a tricky situation, good luck! Sorry I just kinda added an anecdote and not a solution!

fejesmk

I don't think you need anything fancy. My friends and I have always had fun during the in-between time (sometimes too much fun!) at a close by restraunt and most family members enjoy being able to spend time together and catch up. I think the tent idea is perfect!

jiml

I think it's really nice you are trying to find something for your guests for the time gap, but IMO I think you'll be fine if you don't do anything for them. I know that sounds rude, but a lot of times people will go back home and change, or do their own thing. If you have a website maybe you could suggest things for them to do, but if most of your guests are from the Westside, then they are familiar with Cincinnati and can figure out what to do.

Debbydew

That's what I was trying to say--it's really nice of you to want to do something, but you don't necessarily have to. Don't know why I couldn't get that out the first time!

Future.Mrs.Shawty

If it's that important to you, maybe put something on the back of your program or in your invitation that lists a few bars/restaurants/to do's that are between your ceremony location and your reception location.  That way people aren't like "so.  Where do we go?"