2 hours between ceremony and reception

Re: 2 hours between ceremony and reception

• MyNameIsNot member

  

  November 2010

  You can get a room in a restaurant and serve light apps and drinks, or host it at a park if the weather is nice.

  
  

  But the money you are going to spend to host the gap  is probably going to be more than just adding an hour to your reception and starting at 3:30, plus you avoid the annoyance of needing to travel twice.  

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• ehathewa

  

  November 2010

  Why not have a cocktail hour from 3:30 to 4:30 and then do the cake cutting/first dance/toasts before you serve dinner?  Dinner wouldn't be until 5 or so then. 

  

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• ljahns

  

  November 2010

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_2-hours-between-ceremony-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:af9963fd-966f-4034-8a90-c3810c849df6Post:d0e5878c-0701-4004-a3ea-853962c959a2">Re: 2 hours between ceremony and reception</a>:
  [QUOTE]Why not have a <strong>cocktail hour from 3:30 to 4:30 and then do the cake cutting/first</strong> <strong>dance/toasts</strong> before you serve dinner?  Dinner wouldn't be until 5 or so then. 
  Posted by ehathewa[/QUOTE]
  
  Love this idea. Have cocktail hour then do the whole entrance thing. You could do your first dance together, cut the cake, and do a couple toasts. Then dinner would start at 5.

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• Beachy730 member

  

  November 2010

  OP- what is the norm in your area and social circle?  Are gaps common, or unheard of?  In my hometown gaps are expected and so we thought nothing of having a 2 hour gap.  Ours was the same issue since our ceremony had to be at 3 being a Catholic ceremony, and we wanted an evening reception, and our cocktail hour started at 6.  LIke I said though gaps are common and expected in our area so we didn't host anything, and people either went home or back to their hotels. 
  
  But if its not common in your area or social circle I would try to plan something.  Are you doing a hotel block near the reception?  If so, many hotels have suites that you can book to host a small party with light appetizers and cocktails.  Or look into your options at your venue.  Are you having a cocktail hour?

  

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• Summer2011Bride member

  

  November 2010

  Every wedding I've been to has had a gap of about 2 hours between and we are usually left to fend for ourselves. Out of town guests could go back to their hotel and relax for a little bit, and those in town could go home if they live close enough. If you did want to plan something though, are there any unique landmarks or activities specific to your town? I also agree with another poster's idea of having cocktails and appetizers during that time. I don't think 5 is even necessarily too early for dinner. Many guests are hungry by that time. But like they said, you could do the cake and dances if you wanted a later dinner.

  
  
  
  
  

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• Simply Fated member

  

  November 2010

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_2-hours-between-ceremony-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:af9963fd-966f-4034-8a90-c3810c849df6Post:8f9fdfd8-9fb0-4cae-8e12-868807123724">2 hours between ceremony and reception</a>:
  [QUOTE]Ok so due to specific time constraints on the church, our ceremony is at 2:00 in the afternoon. We, however, did not want our reception to start at 3:30 because it would end rather early, and we do not want to shell out more money for extra hours. So, we are starting the reception at 5:00, and it will run until 10:00. The problem is, that leaves around 2 hours in between before people can go to the reception. We wanted to plan something for people to do in between, that wouldn't cost very much, so they are not waiting around finding things to do. T<strong>he reception is in an area where there are many restaurants and things like that. </strong>Does anyone have any ideas?? Much appreciated!
  Posted by shanna1420[/QUOTE]
  I would go with an extended cocktail hour during the gap.
  If the ceremony is at 2, they're most likely going to eat lunch beforehand. And you're serving dinner at around... 5:30ish, right? So providing food during that gap isn't really ideal.

  
  

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• shanna1420 member

  

  November 2010

  Actually the cocktail hour will start at 5. At least that is what we are planning. We have the venue for 5 hours. So, it would be from 5-10. We would have to pay extra for the extra hour at the venue and also for the bartenders and the DJ if we wanted music. I mean, the hotels that we are booking room blocks are right next door to the reception venue, so I feel like it might not be a big deal for those who are staying at a hotel and also for our families and wedding party because we are taking pictures. So maybe I should just not worry about it?

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• banana468 member

  

  November 2010

  Really you should.  Your guests are your guests from start to finish so it's not appropriate to leave them in an unhosted situation.
  
  I'd find a place where you can serve them light apps and food during that gap.  That really is your duty as a host.  It's not an 'extra'.
  

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• ambermorley member

  

  November 2010

  If the church will let you use their lobby space (or if it will be warm, use the lawn), and you could have games set up like cornhole toss, maybe a dart booth, a few easy DIY or rentable carnival type games. Rent a popcorn machine for a few hours or a snowcone machine - those are usually pretty cheap to rent. Serve cute bottled drinks like indivudual martinelli's or Jones soda. You could join in the fun or use this time to take your formal photos. You can have some fun music playing on an iPod. You could have a slideshow playing on a projector of you and your husband.
  
  I think it is important to keep your guests occupied during this time, and fed. I think people would be cranky otherwise. Although I understand your costs considerations, you should find another way to cater. It is a pain to travel to a church, back to a hotel room or dairy queen, and then to another place. Make it easy on them.
  
  Even if gaps are common in some places, it would be a nice surprise to your guests. They probably wouldn't even assume it was the cheap way out!
  

  

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• balzos01

  

  November 2010

  rent a bus and take a tour around the city...great way to kill time and to keep your guests happy; and prob cheaper than extending the cocktail hour.

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• alyssalowe member

  

  November 2010

  We have a two hour gap as well but around here its tradition to bar hop along the way to the reception. We are working it out that if a good crowd turns out at the bar we are at in the mean time the bridal party drinks free (with consideration of drinks not costing too much.)

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