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Is 4 hours long enough for everything?

SharingourloveSharingourlove
100 Comments
in Washington-Seattle

We are trying to figure out if we can do the wedding and reception in 4hours - including clean up.  Everything will be at the same place, a church and they charge by the hour.

We can do some set up the night before at the rehearsal then day of would have 4 hours for last minute getting ready and final things (i.e. flowers), ceremony, reception and clean up.  I just don't want to have to have people rush at the end (we'll be gone so clean up is family and a few friends).

We are keeping things simple in design, no flower petals or runner and the ladies of the church will be taking care of the coffee and punch for us.

Trying to keep our budget down so the extra hour, while doable, if we can do without it we will (more money for spending on the honeymoon!).

Thanks for your thoughts! :)

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Re: Is 4 hours long enough for everything?

  • mgoss228mgoss228 member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    If I were you, I would add the extra hour, just to be safe. 

    How many guests are you expecting?  If your guest list isn't too big, 4 hours is could be doable, but just make sure you have lots of extra help and make sure you make it clear who is assigned to do what.  This is where a Day-Of Timeline really comes in handy, you could pass those out at the rehearsal to all those involved in the set-up/take-down and the ceremony.
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  • kinmir30kinmir30
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Before I read this, I was thinking that 4hours would be very tight........and then I read that you wanted to squish clean-up into that as well.....IDK, I am not sure that can be done. Our ceremony and reception is scheduled for 5 hours and we also have an additional hour after that for any necessary clean up.

    maybe if we knew more of what your day of plans were it would be easier to tell. Are you having a DJ or planner? they might be able to tell you how long each event usuallly takes...

    I suppose it could be possible.....but i am not sure if I would suggest it.
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  • SharingourloveSharingourlove
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No planner and no DJ. The ceremony is simple and figure 1/2 hour tops. 

    The reception, which is the big time taker :) will be a simple first dance, perhaps a special couple dance for those married a long time.  Music for the reception at this point will be CD and one of the ushers is taking that on; it's really background stuff other than for the dance. 

    Though I do hope to have a bagpiper pipe us in to the reception as a surprise for my FI (fingers crossed it works out - the piper is getting married the Saturday before me!).

    With a guest list of 270 (and a guess of 200 coming) I am thinking it's better to take the extra 1/2 hour so we're not rushed spending time with people and can just have fun.
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  • kinmir30kinmir30
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    definitely! i really think you will feel rushed and will probably regret not saving up for the extra time.....your wedding day only happens once right?

    are you doing food? toasts? bouquet/garter toss? mother/son dance? father/daughter dance? ................you might be able to pull it off. but i think you are better off taking the extra time like you said.
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  • kristend72kristend72
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Honestly, I don't know your budget or anything and I'll also add the disclaimer that I'm a lingerer (Monday's dinner out was about two hours...). But with 200 people, a ceremony, clean up... Holy smokes. I would feel like it was too fast and I'd probably cry. That's me, though. I'm not a person for saying, "It's your only wedding, are you sure you won't be sad to not have the $20/each invitations" but tat the same time, it's your only wedding. Make sure it's enough so you feel like something major happened and that you got to see everyone who came. If nothing else, I say, be sure to have an 'afterparty' plan. Again, though - I'm sure I'll never want it to end and my then husband will be begging to go home and go to sleep.
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  • SharingourloveSharingourlove
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are keeping the wedding simple - we only have 1 parent left between us, my mom, and she's a parapeligic so will likely only have our first dance.  No food other than some finger foods available while we take pictures. Bouquet toss but probably not garter and only. 

    We will go for the extra time - at least an hour.  The sudden thought of trying to say hi to 200 people in a short amount of time is a bit much. Thanks for all your thoughts!
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