Ceremony time - opinions needed

Angie550

Is a 4pm ceremony and a 7pm cocktail hour too late to start on a Friday?  I am sure I am over thinking this, but I wanted to know what you guys thought.  My reasoning for this is that I would like to have the ceremony at 4 so that more people could make it from work, etc.  The church is about 35-40 mins from the hotel/reception venue so I figure 4-5 ceremony, 5-6 drive to hotel, 6-6:30 down time before cocktail, the shuttle will leave the hotel around 6:45 and 7 start cocktail.  The night will be over at midnight.  I just want to get your opnions on if you think midnight is too late to end on a Friday.  Sorry this is so long. TIA.

yusi196

I'm doing my ceremony at 3pm and cocktail starts at 7pm. So your timing is better than mine when it comes to the gap. FI wanted time for pictures and didnt want to feel rushed so he wanted it at 3pm. I'm not expecting people to make the ceremony.

Melissa66

Your timing sounds good, Angie.

kpeteley

I think it's fine.  My reception is from 6-12 and the people that stay till the end will the fun ones imo anyway Plus - you are giving people a chance to come to ceremony and then run home and change which is ideal.  I say go for it!

FutureMrsF111

Ive never been to a Friday wedding but that seems good to me. Id be able to get in a half day at work and have some down time so I can enjoy the entire night. I would just count on a bunch of people missing the ceremony....I think that is the risk you take so to speak for a Friday night.

uppereastgirl

I don't think that's too late at all.

kdimartino98

I think that is a perfect time.  Friday evening weddings always start a little later due to traveling.

ashrose24

I am also having a friday wedding. Our ceremony is starting at 4 also, but cocktail hour starts at 6:30. Our reception is only about 15 minutes from the church. We do plan on taking pictures before cocktail hour, and I have a feeling we will be a little rushed there.  The night will be over at midnight as well. I dont think its too late. Everyone will be having such a great time, they wont want it to end!

I <3 Seabass

That sounds fine to me.

ddelo23

I think that sounds fine.

phisig217

I'm doing a Friday at 4pm ceremony and a 6:30 cocktail hour start too.  Our venues are like 10 minutes apart, but our photographer said the extra 30 minutes would be helpful so we can enjoy the food too.

hefinallyproposed

Timing seems OK, however keep in mind if you have a church ceremony, your probably going to have a receiving line, and this could add 30 minutes to your imeline just trying to get out of the church and get to pictures.

phisig217

I agree with PP.  Our priest told us to allow at least an hour and a half for the mass/ceremony, receiving line, pictures at church.

alliecarrie41

no.  my ceremony was 4pm friday and 6pm cocktails and it was perfect.  no gap, most just left work a bit early, and i really had no OOTers so no hotel issues.

kimmys81

I did 3PM ceremony, 7 Cocktail Hour on a Friday.  And honestly, we used EVERY minute of that time.  We even ended up at the hall a bit past 7.