I'm looking for opinions about timing for when the ceremony/reception should start. I've got an approximately 200 guest wedding on a Saturday. We'll be doing a majority of pics before the ceremony except some family pics probably during cocktail hour. Also, it's at the Historic Courthouse, so we can't get in to decorate until noon the day of.
I was thinking about doing a 4 pm ceremony (about a half hour long), then dismissing guests one row at a time as we greet them as opposed to a receiving line or table visits. So I was thinking cocktail hour at 5:30 and dinner starting at 6:30. We'd probably start the dancing roughly around 8 (or sooner is things are moving smoothly). The music needs to be done by 11 and we need to be out by midnight. I don't want dinner any later than 6:30 cause I want plenty of time for dancing.
Another option would be to move everything up by a half hour to start at 3:30 and have more time to dance, but I want to give those decorating (hired hands and a few family members who have volunteered) enough time so I'm hesitant to start at 3:30 unless it would be best for the timeline.
Or, if there's not enough of a gap between ceremony and reception to get the family pics, we could start at 3:30, and still not have cocktail hour start till 5:30. Since they're both in the same place, I feel like this probably isn't necessary, but some of you married ladies may know best.
I realize this is just a half hour difference, but I've been to a few weddings that they really could have used an extra half hour here or there so opinions are appreciated.
So In Love
