How long is too long between the reception and ceremony?

[Deleted User]

thanks!

linguo42

I recently went to a wedding where the ceremony was at 2pm and the reception didn't start until 6. My friends and I lucked out, one of the guests we knew had a condo close by where we could hang out and have a couple appies and drinks in the meantime, but I have no idea what everyone else found to do.

Needless to say, we were not very impressed with the hosts' planning. I'd try to avoid a gap if it's at all possible.

chrissyjake

I never knew that gaps were unacceptalbe until I started reading on TK.  I've never been to a wedding without one.  Perhaps that is just common in this area.  I think what usually happens around here is a lot of people don't go to the ceremony, but you will just have to accept that.
What is normal in your area or with your circle?

srkropf

We have a two hour gap between ceremony and reception-- but it's an hour drive between the ceremony and reception. When my cousin got married it was around noon, and the reception was much later, we all went to a restaurant-- I don't think the bride and groom were there, and celebrated my Grammies birthday-- then went to the reception-- it worked out okay. Maybe if you organized an in-between activity-- it would work.

ellie_spoutz

Mine is from 1-2 and 5-11(cocktail hr 5-6) and i asked numerous of my guests prior how long theyd waited before and whats an avg and 3 hrs was what i was told by most ppl. Just as long as theres restaurants or things to do i think youre fine. i debated forever, but those were the 2 venues we fell in love with and knew all our guests would love. Most people i know try to sneak to get food before the reception, because theyre always starving by the time you actually get to eat dinner

AliM7287

We are having a gap of and hour and a half. I know it's probably not the most convenient thing for our guests, but most guests are staying at the hotel where the reception is, and the ceremony and reception are about 5 min. apart. We are providing transportation, and thinking about hosting a hospitality room at the hotel. But honestly, it's pretty unavoidable in the Catholic church. When most of your family and most of your friends are Catholic and used to Catholic weddings, they have no problems with it. For everyone else, it might be a bit of an inconvenience but at the same time, weddings are also an expression of the couple's and their families' cultures and customs, and for some families, the "Catholic gap" comes with the territory. I wouldn't stress about it. Make sure your reception is a total blast, and by the end of the night, guests will definitely not be reeling about a gap in the afternoon.

squirrly

Don't feel pressured into a place you don't love.  Keep looking. 

mica178

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_long-long-between-reception-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:1dfa7ba9-9348-4be3-80aa-7209796457c0Post:e0778df9-21bb-401d-979a-4a73f71688f9">Re: How long is too long between the reception and ceremony?</a>:
[QUOTE]We are having a gap of and hour and a half. I know it's probably not the most convenient thing for our guests, but most guests are staying at the hotel where the reception is, and the ceremony and reception are about 5 min. apart. We are providing transportation, and thinking about hosting a hospitality room at the hotel. But honestly, it's pretty unavoidable in the Catholic church. When most of your family and most of your friends are Catholic and used to Catholic weddings, they have no problems with it. For everyone else, it might be a bit of an inconvenience but at the same time, weddings are also an expression of the couple's and their families' cultures and customs, and for some families, the "Catholic gap" comes with the territory. I wouldn't stress about it. Make sure your reception is a total blast, and by the end of the night, guests will definitely not be reeling about a gap in the afternoon.
Posted by AliM7287[/QUOTE]


I still think the Catholic gap can be addressed and managed.

A bunch of Catholic churches can help make the gap more bearable.  Mine has a parish hall next door to the actual church where they can set up some tables and you can provide refreshments to your guests during the time in between the ceremony and reception.  At my church, it's only $100 to rent out this space for the whole day, so we're using it for the groom and his GMs to hang out before the ceremony and for the post-ceremony refreshments while the bridal party and family take pictures and before the reception venue opens for guests.  We really only have a 45 minute gap (factoring in driving/parking time between sites), but I'd still prefer to offer something for my guests to do during that time than expect them to fill a random space of time (dressed up, no less), no matter how short that time is.

tsvoboda1980

Well, after 22 places I'm afraid I may have exhausted my search.  Plus, most places are starting to book up for the month of September and that is a must for me. I at this point just want to shake myself and say "pick a place!!!"