Afternoon wedding?

bourgehm

I am freaking out a bit over our budget at the moment... As finances are becoming more and more tight, we are needing to change some things.... We were planning on having a 3:30 wedding and a 5pm reception. But, as I was thinking about it, it would cost less to have an afternoon reception since it would be less formal and we dont' need to serve a full dinner. So, my new idea is possibly having an afternoon wedding at about 1 or 2 and having the reception at 2 or 3... Have any of you had an afternoon wedding? Or have you been to one? What did you think? I'm just worried people wont be as apt to dance and have as much fun... Thoughts ladies?

yellowbabyducky1

I went to an afternoon wedding this spring.  Ceremony at noon, reception at 3.  It was OK.  They really wanted it to be a party but honestly people don't feel like dancing the night away at 5pm.  Most people left by 8.I think there's a right way to do it and a wrong way.  I went to another afternoon wedding a few years ago and they just played old jazz standards and some oldies from after the lunch until about 6 and that was AWESOME.  A very classy feel.  So unique and fun!

LittleSweetie

I went to a wedding at 11 with a reception at 1. It was fun, but it was hard to have a traditional "dance" since it was still light out. So I'd go with something non-traditional when it comes to the dance. A coworker of mine went to a wedding where they had a called dance - contra dancing. She had a blast! I'd do something a little different where people can forget about what time of day it is and just have a good time.

ilovebijou

I had an afternoon reception. Our ceremony was at 11am and the reception started at 12:30pm and went until 4pm. It was perfect for Dh and I because we didn't want a dj/dancing/big party. We had a pianist play throughout the lunch and Dh and I danced to one song together. It was perfect for us but I think like others have said, it will be hard to get people in the dancing mood so late in the afternoon/early in the evening.

dolllean

We are having a wedding at noon- reception at 1. Hopefully the dance will be between 2-4. Already talked to the wedding party and they are up for dancing. What this is cutting down is the drinking/cost of alcohol. The best man is planning a party - hours later- at a bar for all the fraternity guys and dates. Great way to still have classy wedding and yet party. Groom loves the idea of just the two of us the evening of our wedding. In fact all the frat guys now want afternoon weddings.

bourgehm

Thanks so much ladies! I'm sure it probably depends on what type of people will be at the wedding... Since I'm still in college most of the people coming to the wedding will be college students and family members. Not too many older people, so I am going to just hope that people still have fun and go for it and change the time to an afternoon reception.