We are kind of stuck...

carolinagirl426

So FI and I need some help concerning logistics about our big day we've kind of narrowed it down to 2 options/this is pretty much all that's available (but trying to plan a June wedding less than a year away, i figured it would be more limited):

1) Ceremony at the pergola at Duke Gardens  - which is gorgeous!! at either 2 PM or 4 PM, and then an evening reception in Raleigh. Our concern with this is that there's not a whole lot of space for guests at the pergola... we will have about 150.  Anyone get married there and have any thoughts on how to deal with this (other than cutting the guest list??)

2) Ceremony at the Raleigh Rose Garden (which is our favorite spot BUT is only available until 2 PM) around noon, and then an earlier reception.  If we have the ceremony at around 12:30, and had a reception from 3-6... does that timing seem odd to anyone? We were thinking of serving a buffet sort of dinner, and wine/beer/cocktails.  

I guess there is a 3) The other alternative with this is to do the ceremony earlier (11, maybe?) and have a lunch reception (with wine/beer/mimosas, etc).  But with this option - or the second option - we are kind of worried about having the best lighting for photographs (both for ceremony and bridal party). And we want the reception to be fun (dancing and such) - we have been to a few lunch receptions where guests were... not so involved

I know we can't have it all and I thought it might help us decide to hear some other people's opinions.

Thanks for your help!

sunnysarahinNC

hey girl! i haven't been to either location (surprising, considering i'm an nc state grad!), but have heard great things- I know it's such a relief to narrow everything down!

i am going to my first "split" wedding in september. the ceremony is at noon in one location, and the reception is at 5pm. the bride and groom were set on the chapel, and the priest would only marry them at a certain time. have you considered this with the rose garden option?

also, there is a really popular and small chapel in Charlotte- St. Mary's- that only holds 90, but I've seen way more people crammed in. I don't know anything about Duke Gardens, but do you think you will be able to squeeze people??

good luck!

brokenhallelujah

If it were me, I would personally hold the early ceremony with a lunch reception. I've never been to one myself, but at my wedding (and evening wedding) not a lot of people danced either. I did and I had a great time - that's what matters really. And everyone else claims they had a great time everytime they talk to me and say my wedding was a blast.

And as for photos, if you can do it out of direct sunlight in partial shade, I think you will be fine. Talk to your photographer because they will know how to get you the best photos for your time of day (and location).

I personally do not like the idea of splitting the reception too far from the reception - what are guests supposed to do inbetween?

pirategal03

I read this, then read carolinagal's post right under it and got very confused.

Whatever you choose, try to minimize the gap between ceremony and reception.  A gap is pretty rude to your guests.  You're asking them to take even more time out of their day for your wedding, and you're asking them to dress up then sit around with nothing to do for a few hours. 

I would do the lunch reception.  I'm a little biased here though.  We're having an 11:30 ceremony and brunch reception. 

carolinagirl426

Thank you! We will probably end up doing the lunch reception. We didn't want to give our guests a long time with nothing to do.

Pirategal, I might get a hold of you later to find out more about your brunch reception to get some ideas

Thank you! 

pirategal03

Feel free to ask away  

In about 2 months or so I'll be able to tell you how it went. 

CJ4578

Just a note- do have a gap that's big enough for your guests to get from point a to point b, especially if you choose Duke Gardens and a Raleigh reception. I went to a wedding recently where traffic was horrible and the timing was a bit off so everyone missed the cocktail hour.

sunnysarahinNC

Ditto, ours are only 20 minutes apart, but we went with a 5pm ceremony and 6pm reception anyways to make sure guests get full advantage of the party! We're also doing an Episcopal ceremony, and I'm nervous it might go over the standard "out of the church in 30 minutes" type of ceremony.

CarlySara

We're doing our ceremony at 11:30 and a lunch reception.  My mom, who has complained about everything, thinks it isn't ideal for OOTs who are now "forced" to stay 2 nights.  However, we have a 9month old and we want her at our wedding. not left with a babysitter.  When it comes down to it, we know our wedding is not the time to hang out with people you want to see...because we want to see everyone (well, almost everyone) that's why they were invited.  So after the wedding, FI, the baby, and I will be hanging with OOTs at the hotel pool.

As for your photographers, you're hiring a professional, they'll figure out the best shots for whenever your wedding may be!

***Sorry out the MOB side vent....she drives me crazy!