How long should a reception be?

AT4 · February 2010

Hi, I wonder if 4 hours is enouigh for my reception...I haven't booked but just gathering ideas....4 hours...maybe 30mins for cocktail...and then the whole dinner and dancing...is that enough?! I would like to keep it at 4 hours though! Thank you!!

bellebride116 · February 2010

I think a typical reception is 4 hours and then the additional cocktail hour, so 5 total.
We had ours 6 hours total just because we wanted to dance some more.... but the typical is 4 hour reception and one hour cocktail.

I <3 Seabass · February 2010

we had a 4 hour reception and 1 hour for cocktails before hand so a total of 5.

SuMmErKuTiE · February 2010

We are also having a cocktail hour and then another 4 hours for the reception. So 5 hours total after the ceremony. HTH!

squirrelly29 · February 2010

we added an hour to the reception to make it 6 hours total so we could dance more and not have it end so far...so 5 hours reception 1 cocktail hour

AT4 · February 2010

Thank you all for your responses!!

Lasairiona · February 2010

With a 4 hr reception, you will spend the majority of your time sitting down to eat, along with toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. Tht leaves with an hour at most to dance and folks who like to dance don't usually think that is long enough.

AT4 · February 2010

That is a good point. thank you.

amagwire · February 2010

4 hours is fine, depending on the size of your guestlist. You'll always get some guests in the bunch who feel offended you didn't spend enough time with them, but honestly, most guests don't want to spend more than 4 hours at the reception.

Ken&Cass · February 2010

My reception site said that they usually allot 4 hours for a dinner reception but because of the entertainment we are booking they will allow us 6. I honestly, as a guest would not want to have to stick around for 6 hours after the ceremony... I feel its a bit long so my plan now is to hit around the 5 hour mark.

jrksle · February 2010

We're having an all night reception (about 7 hours) because almost the entire guest list is from out of town. It is also very much a family tradition. If most of your guests are local, then I think its perfectly fine to have a 4 hour reception.

rlyttle · February 2010

We had an hour for cocktails outside, then 4 hours inside for dinner and dancing. I could have stayed there all night long!! It goes by so fast!! I made sure we did everything quickly at the beginning or the reception, so we had the rest of the night to party. It was GREAT!!

vintagebaby29 · February 2010

thanks for the inadvertant help I was wondering about that how long a typical Reception goes we have a very formal vintage dinner planned. I was married before and we went about four hours. I just was wondering how long that type of event can usually go. we are booking entertainment as well

AT4 · February 2010

Very good info ladies! Thanks so much

gottahavashorti · February 2010

Four hours was a pretty standard rental time for venues in our area, so we've got four hours from beginning of ceremony to the end of the reception, including cocktail hour. It's a daytime cocktail reception though, if it were a more structured reception it might be a bit on the short side.

kkaimala · February 2010

We're having a plated dinner and not a buffet. I think that takes a little more time to allow for each course to be served. Since we are doing it that way and we want people to drink and dance, we are having a five hour reception with an hour for cocktails. So 6 hours total. Everyone coming to our wedding is from out of town and the hotel is connected to the reception site with a walkway over a river... so everyone can stay late and have a good time!

lyn_mello · February 2010

Mine is five hours as well - one cocktail hour - where we will be announced (we are taking pics before the ceremony), and 4 hour reception.

The only traditions we are keeping are the first dance and toasts. No bouquet - no cake cutting - no family dances. I want to eat, and I want to dance. So does everyone else.

[Deleted User] · February 2010

Our reception will likely go until the last person leaves, as it's an informal backyard kind of thing where everyone knows each other. That being said, since the wedding is at 1 and we're staying at the place of the reception, i see myself kicking people out if they're still around at midnight or some crazy hour. We have a honeymoon to get to, people!

AT4 · February 2010

I really like that idea! You have me thinking about that!! Thanks so much and well wishes with your speacial day!!!

How long should a reception be?

Re: How long should a reception be?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards