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99% sure we have our venue..but...

jrich7686jrich7686 member
10 Comments
in New Hampshire
After much touring around some venues in Southern NH and Merrimack Valley area, my FI & I decided on our first choice.. Atkinson CC :-) I'm so excited.. just have to call this week & sign the contract and contact the church. Yay!

ONE question... in terms of timing, we are thinking
Ceremony 4pm in Haverhill, MA
and then Reception 6 pm in Atkinson... it's about a 20 minute drive or so.. so say our ceremony lasts an hour, gets out a 5.. then of course we have to stand in the receiving line & say hi & thank everyone (thinking by the time we actually leave the church area it will be after 5:30... is that enough time? Should i do an earlier ceremony/ later reception?  (It's pretty flexible because we're doing a Friday wedding)

Not sure how long things like that take in terms of timing so I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance :)
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Re: 99% sure we have our venue..but...

  • elizabeth918elizabeth918
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congratulations on choosing a venue!  We're down to just two choices... can't wait to have it decided! I'm interested to hear what others have to say on the timing, as that's something I'm trying to figure out, too.  :)
    Anniversary
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  • Arez16Arez16
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think that timing sounds fine. As far as what is convenient for guests that is. I assume that is what you were talking about.

    We're doing something similar...church at 2, receiving line, then about 30 mins to reception site.

    You don't want a big gap in between. Or at least, I wouldn't.

    What church are you considering?
    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • ericcaahericcaah member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congrats on deciding on your venue! I had my prom at the ACC and it was absolutely beautiful - I can just imagine how wonderful it will be for a wedding!

    In regards to timing, I think it sounds perfect. Our ceremony was at 1:30 PM and we wrapped up around 2:15 (ceremony without a Mass) and did the receiving line at the Church immediately following - it took about 30-40 minutes to greet everyone. We also had a 20 minute commute from the ceremony to the reception. The guests all left around 3:00 PM (many hung around outside the Church to see other family/friends) and we began the reception around 3:00 PM. With your Ceremony at 4:00 PM and your reception starting at 6:00 PM, I think your timing should be perfect!
    Anniversary
    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • jrich7686jrich7686 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks so much girls! And congrats again, Ericahh.. :) We are having a Mass but want the whole thing to be no longer than 45 mins- 1 hour... Arez16, We are having our ceremony at St. James in Haverhill =)
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  • TroyandKellyTroyandKelly member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think that is a good amount of time. 
    The last thing you want is to have your wedding waiting around until your hall opens.  The first people in the receiving line will be getting there around 5:30.  Have you asked ACC if they will at least open the hall a little early if people start to arrive?
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  • jrich7686jrich7686 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No I havent asked yet  but I certainly will! I definitely dont want people waiting around!
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  • knwithamknwitham member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    *YAY* we are going to be venue twins, and our dates are pretty close! My ceremony is @ Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford, so pretty much Haverhill. We are having the ceremony only, no mass and it will start @ 5:30 and be a half hour long. Our reception will start @ ACC @ 6:30. We are not going to have a receiving line, so this gives everyone a half hour to get to ACC, which sounds about right to me. I'm excited to have a planning buddy!
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  • jrich7686jrich7686 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Oh yay me too! Congrats!! Whats your date?? What ballroom are you going with at ACC?
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  • knwithamknwitham member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    May 21, 2011 and the farview room :)
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  • litskispecialtylitskispecialty
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I grew up in that area, Haverhill and Atkinson are so close everyone should have plenty of time to get there.  Just make sure they are aware of the times so in case they don't stick around after the receiving line (say they are first in line) they know not to be too early.
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  • superjules916superjules916 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-hampshire_99-sure-venuebut?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:101Discussion:666fd81c-20a4-4d0f-ab61-6aefc57a7800Post:06fc2a4f-fd82-46f7-b084-4f4dd3559ef8">Re: 99% sure we have our venue..but...</a>:
    [QUOTE]*YAY* we are going to be venue twins, and our dates are pretty close! My ceremony is @ Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford, <strong>so pretty much Haverhill</strong>. We are having the ceremony only, no mass and it will start @ 5:30 and be a half hour long. Our reception will start @ ACC @ 6:30. We are not going to have a receiving line, so this gives everyone a half hour to get to ACC, which sounds about right to me. I'm excited to have a planning buddy!
    Posted by knwitham[/QUOTE]

    Bradford is a part of Haverhill... Just saying.
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