Time gap from ceremony to reception...dk what to do

Smashleyk · February 2012

Reception site is booked and ready to start at 5 p,, ceremony location is only available no later than 2...theyr only about 5 minutes away from each other, I figured the wedding party can do pictures but what will the rest of my guests do during the downtime?

vsgal · February 2012

Start your ceremony later or move your reception up. A two hour gap is terribly rude to your guests.

DramaGeek · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_time-gap-from-ceremony-to-receptiondk-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:f5cc1555-e025-4488-929c-248e41102d05Post:ff43ff95-c81e-4854-a98e-d2e37d44e620">Time gap from ceremony to reception...dk what to do</a>:
[QUOTE]Reception site is booked and ready to start at 5 p,, ceremony location is only available no later than 2...theyr only about 5 minutes away from each other, I figured the wedding party can do pictures but what will the rest of my guests do during the downtime?
Posted by Smashleyk[/QUOTE]

<div>Either you change something or you host a two hour social hour somewhere else, but I think that should be an absolute last resort - like these are the only two places for a wedding in your town kind of absolute last resort.</div>

BTCarolus · February 2012

Is this a "Catholic Gap" issue? The girls on the Catholic Weddings board (under cultural wedding boards) may have some suggestions.

AdeleDazeem · February 2012

You host something for your guests to do.

It can be simple - nonalcoholic drinks and light apps somewhere. Two hours is a long time and I'd be rather annoyed as a guest if the hosts didn't offer something.

cwaggoner07 · February 2012

If you go forward as planned you will lose a lot of guests on either end. Either they will skip the ceremony or skip the receotion.

TheFutureShulins · February 2012

When I worked in catering (6 years ago) I coordinated a wedding that had a similar issue. They, of course, pre-paid for dinner at the reception for each guest.

I will never forget that wedding because... 67 people no-showed. To this day I remember the exact number. After speaking with the bride and groom I found out that the church was packed, it seemed EVERYONE came to their ceremony. But in the end 67 of those people decided to head home afterwards instead of waiting for the reception - even though they had RSVPd. The poor couple paid over $4,000 for meals that were not eaten and had quite a few empty tables, it was really sad.

I agree with previous posters. If you absolutely cannot alter your timeline, find something for your guests to do.

Hilraythebride · February 2012

I am having a Catholic wedding and there is no gap. This does not sound like the Catholic gap issue this sounds like the issue is that you can't get the time you wanted for your reception. Is there anyway you can move it up.

If not you should host the guests for a small informal social hour in between. Does your ceremony venue have a social hall or something where you could put some snacks out?

sparkles776 · February 2012

Maybe you could do a cocktail hour starting at like 4? Thats a really long gap. I was worried too, my ceremony and reception locations seriously are withing walking distance of eachother. It is probably about a 5 minute drive. Our ceremony will start at 5, with the cocktail hour starting at 6. Obviously, we will be arriving at the end of the cocktail hour because of pictures. I cant imagine our ceremony being more than a 1/2 hour total, which leaves a 1/2 hour for the guests to make their way over.

Time gap from ceremony to reception...dk what to do

Re: Time gap from ceremony to reception...dk what to do

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