Sat. Afternoon Weddings

Koi424

I've only ever been to 3 weddings, so I don't have much experience to draw on. I thought you all might be able to help me.

FI & I are considering a Saturday afternoon wedding to save a little money.

What drawbacks are there that I'm not considering?

The ceremony would be indoors at a church. And the venue will be indoors as well. Both air conditioned.

I see people grumble about 'the gap' with church weddings. There won't be a gap with an afternoon wedding.

It might be nice for my many OOT guests to be able to get some sleep so they are ready for travelling on Sunday.

Guests with little ones won't have to worry about them tiring out.

If we can find a bar or some place to hang out we can keep the party going all day and all night! Of course if not, my guests will be wondering what to do with themselves...

What sorts of pros and cons are there to an afternoon wedding. I've never been to one.

Thanks for the help!!

Jaridds68

What sort of reception were you thinking of having after the ceremony and when were you thinking of starting? I'm asking because if you were going to do just light h'orderves (not a full meal) you may want to air on the early afternoon side, the later in the afternoon you start the more people are going to expect a full meal.

Our ceremony is starting a little after 4, and the reception will be over around 10/10:30pm. We didn't want to go too late (my FI and I recently went to a wedding where our meals were served at midnight), and wanted to accomodate people who are traveling and/or with kids. Also, it leaves ample time for an after party The only con could be getting ready beforehand and getting our pictures done, it might be a tight squeeze timing-wise but I think it's totally manageable.

ashlidie

Well... I guess technically I'm doing an afternoon.  I am attending an afternoon wedding in 11 days so I can let you know for sure (theirs starts at 12 noon).  Mine will start at 2pm, reception maybe 330-4 when people start getting there.  We can actually have the reception going for 5 hours if we want, so at 8-9 o clock people can head home if they have to travel, or we can find a local place to PARTAY before hitting the hotel for the night.  Honestly I think what you have going is perfect, but I guess I am biased. 

Basically I actually hate when weddings end at 11/midnight, you are stuck driving when you are tired as heck and your feet hurt.

Koi424

Not sure when the reception would start. Whenever the venue schedules afternoon weddings. If they are trying to get us out before an evening wedding I'd think it would start around 1ish.

I'd like to still serve a full meal even though it would be at an odd time. But I think people would be hungry cuz they probably wouldn't have time to have lunch.

I guess fitting in pictures might get tough.

Berry327

I think one of the major drawbacks (at least in my area, NJ/NYC) is when the venue has an evening wedding reception scheduled the same day. I've been to a few daytime weddings where the reception was hurried and guests ushered out hastily so that they could flip the room for the evening reception.

nycrose2013

I am currently having the same issue. I am not sure which way we will go yet. We really wanted evening, but the deal may be too good to pass up. If we do go with the afternoon party, we will most likely rent out a bar or a large hotel suite stocked with drinks to keep our young friends partying. I am mostly concerned about being rushed, like the poster above, but also worried about no one wanting to dance when the sun is streaming in through the windows! I also wonder if it will feel awkward to have a full cocktail hour, 4 course dinner, and open bar at around 1:00 in the afternoon! Additionally, always wanted my wedding to be very formal, and the daytime definitely lowers people's expectations about how they should dress. So basically, I am in the same boat as you. Hopefully we will figure it out!

Koi424

Hi nycrose!

I'm still trying not to give up on my Sat night wedding, but all the "wow" venues are just way out of our budget. So it's still a possibility I'm holding on to.

I'm not so much worried about the drinking and dancing. I think some people will hold back, but we have enough friends on the guest list that won't care what time it is - it's a party! Free booze!
And as for food - with the ceremony at 10:30ish no one will have time for lunch and they'll all be plenty hungry for the reception dinner. So I'm not too worried about that either.

What makes me stressed out about the thought of it is finding time to get ready and take pictures. I don't want to miss out on pictures. And I worry about me & the  bridesmaids getting ready on time.

One way or another it'll all work out.