Wedding Recap and Withdrawal

Brides who had a long gap inbetween ceremony and reception

I was trying to think of something creative and fun for the guests to do in between the ceremony and reception.  Here is the dilema... Ceremony at Church is at 2 PM (will not budge on that because they have something special going on afterwards at the church) so we will probably be out of there by 2:45-3:00ish and the reception site is not letting us in until 5:30.  I am looking for some creative and fun ideas for the guests to do (it will be perfect for the wedding party because of pictures)

Or just let me know what you did to fill up the time!

TIA


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Re: Brides who had a long gap inbetween ceremony and reception

  • I have a similar problem, but my wedding is in late October so it should be beautiful weather in Missouri, so I made a list of wineries in between the church and reception site that people can go to for free wine tasting and live music.  My church is also near a town with a lot of history and it has really cute downtown with lots of shops and a glass blowing place, so hopefully people will take advantage of all the things to do around town.  Of course, everyone other than myself and my parents will be out of towners since I am getting married where I grew up which is an hour away from where I live now.  But if you could think of activities around your area happening the day of your wedding they could go to, I think that would good idea.
  • edited September 2010
    I have the same problem! Catholic wedding will start at 2 but we won't have a mass so we will be done by 2:45. We do plan to do a receiving line to help eat up some time but even that should be done by 3:15.

    Thankfully for us most of our guest will be from out of town so they will either have a hotel to return too or will be going to check into their hotel. We have a room block for guest at the same hotel as our reception. Check in time isn't until 3:00pm so for those who didn't come in the night before they will have plenty of time to check in, go to their room, relax for a second and then join us for the reception starting at 5:00pm. We will probably serve dinner at 6.

    I think making a list of things for your friends and family to see and do is very nice! Will your guest likely have hotel rooms to return too? If so, maybe do OOT bags for those guest so they have a nice snack when they get into their room.
  • YOu can get a room in a hotel with food and beverages that people can go to inbetween the ceremony and reception.  If you know someone who lives near the church, you can ask them to host a party in between with food and drinks for the gap.  You can cover the cost of the food, they open their house.  Some people like to provide a trolley that gives a tour of the city but that can be really expensive.  
  • We also have this problem.  My parents are probably going to have food and drinks at the house. maybe set up a tent in the yard.  They live between the church and the reception site, so it will be on the way for people.  Our reception is also near historical sites, and a casino, but I'm a little worried that people will go to the casino and be late for the reception.

    I think we are going to skip the receiving line at the church and do it at the begining of the reception instead, this way we great everyone, not just the people who were at the ceremony, and we don't have to spend the whole night making rounds at every table making sure we saw everyone.

    If you make a list of things for you guests to do where do you put it?  Do you put it in your ceremony program?
    siggya>
  • We had a gap, but it wasn't that bad. Our ceremony started at 1pm, was over shortly after 2pm and then we did pics at the church. The rest of our guests went to the country club and enjoyed a cocktail/appetizer hour or so while we did more pics outside at the country club. No one seemed to complain. Dinner was served around 5:30 pm
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-recap-withdrawal_brides-long-gap-inbetween-ceremony-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:12Discussion:275a86e8-0809-42e3-bbc3-df0d2bdbb62bPost:2ad2df59-b683-4c71-a774-90d70198598a">Re: Brides who had a long gap inbetween ceremony and reception</a>:
    [QUOTE]We also have this problem.  My parents are probably going to have food and drinks at the house. maybe set up a tent in the yard.  They live between the church and the reception site, so it will be on the way for people.  Our reception is also near historical sites, and a casino, but I'm a little worried that people will go to the casino and be late for the reception. I think we are going to skip the receiving line at the church and do it at the begining of the reception instead, this way we great everyone, not just the people who were at the ceremony, and we don't have to spend the whole night making rounds at every table making sure we saw everyone. <strong>If you make a list of things for you guests to do where do you put it?  Do you put it in your ceremony program?
    </strong>Posted by tmwagner[/QUOTE]

    I would put it in the invitation. That way people can make plans ahead of time. Also, maybe mention it again in your ceremony program for those who don't bring the invitation with them...
  • We had a gap as well. Most of our guests went back to the hotels, and took a nap, or freshened up, or hung out at my parent's place or made plans.  We put together some sites to see if folks wanted  to use that time in between to go somewhere... like a small driving trip, or if they wanted to see some shopping venues.  (this was posted on our wedsite)

    "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart." ~ Miss K ~
  • Dominique2011Dominique2011 member
    First Comment
    edited September 2010
    I'm having this problem too!
    Photobucket Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • I had a gap too, I made a list of things to do during the Gap.  Our Groomsman handed them out as people left the chapel.  I have heard great comments about it.
    Photobucket
  • I'm having a gap too.  I'm making a "Guide to the City" for the welcome baskets.  It opens with a letter from us thanking them for being there for our wedding.  Second is an iteniary of the weekend.  Third a map (possibly hand drawn if I have time and feel creative enough).  Fourth page is things to do around town (shopping, aquarium, museums, historic sites, etc).  Pages 5 and 6 are  reviews of our favorite restaurants with addresses, dress codes, prices, our favorite dish, etc.  Last page is a short list of our favorite bars and pubs for the younger crowd who might want to do some drinking after the reception.

    Its alot of work but I think its going to be appreciated and it really adds a personal touch.  Best of luck planning!
    We're going to second-line into the New Year! Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • My ceremony was at 3:30 pm and cocktail hour at 7 pm. We took pictures after the ceremony and then had the limo take us to 2 local parks for pics with the bridal party and family. We really didn't realize but the time literally flew by. Before I knew it, it was 6:50 pm and the limo driver said we had to leave so we can make cocktail hour.

    Some reception halls allow you to start 1 hoiur earlier. They call it a "hospitality" hour which you either get free or pay a fee (it depends on their policy) My hall said I didn't have to pay and that the guests  could arrive by 6 pm. I know many guests skipped the church ceremony because it was a Friday afternoon ceremony. That was fine by me. Guests should plan their own schedule - and you shouldn't stress over what they do with the 2 -4 hour time gap.
  • What about some treasure hunt to take in the best of the sites that your city has to offer?  I'm sure you could get great pictures and memories out of the time spent with family and friends :)

    "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart." ~ Miss K ~
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