How long is your reception?

max&lucy · April 2012

So we have a 4 hour wedding - our ceremony and reception are at the same place. The ceremony begins at 6pm - should last about 30 mins. Then we have photos while the gusts have drinks and apps in the courtyard, then we are having a sit down dinner which should be done by about 8.30pm when we will cut the cake. Then we have to be out by 10pm, so realistically, we'll have about an hour for dancing. Does this seem too short? We still have the option to add another 30 mins or another hour, bur of course we'll have to pay.

Thoughts? I don't want to feel rushed. It's not a budget issue - we can afford the extra time, but I don't know if that makes it too long.

*sigh*
What are you ladies doing?

KateBCH · April 2012

Ceremony at 4:30, cocktails at 5, dinner served at 6 ... We haven't decided on all the specifics, but we're going until 11pm. We wanted to go a little bit later because we're out in the country, so there won't be any "afterparty" like a lot of couples do.

mandi921vh · April 2012

Honestly, it does sound kind of short. Our ceremony is at 3 and our reception begins at 4:30. We will arrive at reception at 5:30 have our first dance, eat, do speeches, parent dances, cut cake, garter and bouquet toss... the reception will probably go until 10:30 but FI and I will head out between 9:30 and 10:00, so in total guests will be at our reception for about 5-6 hours.

XxKrazy4u · April 2012

my ceremony is 6-630. Cocktail hour is from 6:30-7:30 and reception is 7:30-11:30

We happen to be connected to the hotel (aquarium is attached to a new hotel and conference center) , on the opposite side is a kareoke bar. We are all going over there until 4 am when they close since 90% of our guests are 35 and under. We like to stay out and party so i am changing out of my dress and going over.
Maybe rather then continue the party and at your venue, there would be some place you could go. it seems like i run in to brides everywhere i go on a weekend.
The next day we are throwing a BBQ recovery.
I figured what the hell...if everyone is going to be around for the entire weekend and give up their memorial day plans...i was going to make it worth their trip.

LuckyHeather · April 2012

Ceremony starts at 6pm. Cocktail hour from 6:30 – 7:30, and the dinner/reception from 7:30 – 11:30pm

Everything is happening at the hotel, so "after party" will likely happen.

The next morning we are having a good-bye brunch.

leahstinson · April 2012

cocktail hour 5:30-6:30, reception 6:30-11pm

pantherRN · April 2012

Sounds short to me. Our ceremony is at 3:00, cocktail hour is at 5:00, dinner at 6:30 (after intros, cake cutting, first dances), last call is 10:30 and last song is 10:45.

deanabuonincontri · April 2012

Honestly, it does sound a bit short. This is your special day and you want to make sure it isn't rushed and that you have enough time to enjoy everything and everyone there. With that being said...here is a breakdown of our wedding..

6:30pm Ceremony
7:00pm - 8:00pm - Cocktail Hour
8:00pm - Midnight - Reception

Those that don't want to be out unti midnight can leave early. But I know the bulk of our guests will be enjoying every last second!

MelisMC · April 2012

I'm holding everything at the same location too. My ceremony is at 6:30, Cocktails 7-8, and dinner/dancing is 8-11:30.

I would extend the time if I were you since it's not a budget issue. 10 is a little early to end things, especially since you do have an evening wedding. Plus, everyone says the day goes by way too fast so you might be wishing it lasted longer anyway

heightdeprived · April 2012

2:30 ceremony

5:00 cocktails start. supper between 5:30 and 6 and then we'll close it down between midnight and 1

SunshineShades · April 2012

Ceremony 3:00
Cocktail hour 5:00
Dinner 6:00

As for dancing... until the place empties. So like midnight, 1 am.

cpm1223 · April 2012

Cocktails hour at 3:30pm

Reception is from 4:30-9:30

We extended our reception an hour since we had to start cocktail hour so early (ceremony had to start at 1, the church wouldn't allow a later ceremony)

caitlinc09 · April 2012

Our ceremony is at 6 and should be done by 6:15, cocktail hour 6:20-7:20, dinner served at 7:40, everything is over at 11. Yours does sound a bit short, I would probably add another hour unless you are having an afterparty.

Melissa51212 · April 2012

We doing everything at one place too... 530 ceremony 6-7 cocktail 7-11 dinner dancing etc I think mine seems short haha! But we are having an after party as well!

marisha115 · April 2012

Ours is 4.5 hours. All aboard at 6:30, set sail at 7, back to pier at 10:30, all off at 11pm. We plan on hitting a bar or something if we're up for it afterwards (we'll be on 41st street in Manhattan, I'm sure we'll find plenty of fun places).

vineyard12 · April 2012

Ceremony at 4:30
Cocktail hour 5-6 (we'll do our photos during this time)
Reception 6-10

Because of where the hotel is situated (tight residentail neighborhood), the music has to stop at 10pm. I am fine with this. It's going to be a long enough day! I wouldn't be surprised if the room was empty by 9! lol.

So, an hour for dancing is too short.

littleshrink · April 2012

Ceremony 5:30 - 6
Cocktails: 6 - 7
Dinner 7 - ??
Empty the joint by 11pm (contracted end time)

Our ceremony and reception are at the same location. Plus ours is during the week so we didn't want the workerbees to feel like they had to stay until the wee hours of the evening. It sounds like you might be cutting yourself a little short. I would say if it isn't a budget issue for you, to go ahead and extend an hour. Better to have too much time than not enough.

mancila60 · April 2012

Ceremony is at 4 and reception starts between 5:30 and 6. We have our reception place for 5 hours. We plan on leaving about 10:30 since we have to wake up early for our honeymoon.

I do think 4 hours is a little short for ceremony and reception.

leahstinson · April 2012

i'd extend time because things might not run exactly on time (like the sit down dinner) and that is just going to cut into dinner. i have rarely been to a wedding that was spot on timewise. i'd add another hour.

arisia · April 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2012-weddings_how-long-is-your-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:f0ca0bc1-9255-4120-8042-b40e7f3e99c5Discussion:3fb1b3c8-51f5-476d-a430-5827361c1b7cPost:52ffe452-6401-4461-942e-fbd002a8fdb8">How long is your reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]So we have a 4 hour wedding - our ceremony and reception are at the same place. The ceremony begins at 6pm - should last about 30 mins. Then we have photos while the gusts have drinks and apps in the courtyard, then we are having a sit down dinner which should be done by about 8.30pm when we will cut the cake. Then we have to be out by 10pm, so realistically, we'll have about an hour for dancing. Does this seem too short? We still have the option to add another 30 mins or another hour, bur of course we'll have to pay. Thoughts? I don't want to feel rushed. It's not a budget issue - we can afford the extra time, but I don't know if that makes it too long. *sigh* What are you ladies doing?
Posted by max&lucy[/QUOTE]

<div>Do you have to be out by 10pm or does the venue need to be cleaned up by 10pm? My timeline is similar to yours. We are getting married 6:30pm-7pm. Guests will drink/snack until 7:45pm when the buffet will open. As dinner wraps up (8:30ish) we'll do toasts, first dances, then open dance floor. We'll do tossings then cake cutting will be at 9:30. At 10:30, we'll do our "farwell" then come back to clean. We gotta be out by 12pm.</div>

FutureMrsW9 · April 2012

To be honest, it does sound short. Our entire reception is 4 hours, and we have the option to add another hour to that even - but we're doing an afterparty instead. Our ceremony will start around 6:15, cocktail hour is at 7pm, then the guests will be escorted into the ballroom right before 8pm, and the reception will go until midnight. So about 6 hours total, not including photos, etc. before the ceremony. Typical receptions are 4 hours from my experience. That said, if I were you I'd definitely extend your time - the best part is the drinking and dancing!!!!

Killa2979 · April 2012

Cocktail hour starts at 7-8pm

Reception 8pm-1am

mildlymailyn · April 2012

ceremony- 5:30

cocktails- 6-30

dinner- 7:30

We will probably shut if down @ about 11:30 because we have to be out at 12.

TheFutureMrsB81 · April 2012

Ceremony at 3. Dinner from 6-10. We're not having a dj or any of that jazz, just a nice dinner after in a restaurant we rented out.

Shari 86 · April 2012

Ours is from 7pm- 3am ( when they can no longer serve alcohol) Most likely it will only go until 1 am. We have to clean the next morning from 8am- 11am.

RivieraBound · April 2012

Ceremony at 5:00, cocktail hour 5:30, intros at 6:30, first dance, then dinner at 6:45. We have to be out of there by 10:30

MsAmeera25 · April 2012

Total time for us is 5 hours. Any wedding I attend after 5 hours i'm ready to go

mandydc0509 · April 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2012-weddings_how-long-is-your-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:f0ca0bc1-9255-4120-8042-b40e7f3e99c5Discussion:3fb1b3c8-51f5-476d-a430-5827361c1b7cPost:1dfe2cb6-89da-4543-9276-4fd9405a3858">Re: How long is your reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]Total time for us is 5 hours. Any wedding I attend after 5 hours i'm ready to go
Posted by MsAmeera25[/QUOTE]

Ditto.

We'll be about the same. I think we're planning to be at the reception hall no longer than 4.5 hours, including cocktail hour.

LDW0225 · April 2012

Ours is 5 1/2 hours long:

Ceremony is at 4:00 pm
Cocktails start at 5:30 pm
Dinner around 6:45 pm
Reception ends at 11:00 pm

S0095042 · April 2012

as PPs said, that does seem a bit short. If you can afford it then I would add an hour so you can get atleast 2 hours of dancing in.

Here is our day:
Our ceremony starts at 5:30pm and will end around 6pm + recieving line & get away (so 6:30ish). Then they will go to our reception site. Cocktail hour starts at 7pm. Dinner is at 8:15. Our event ends at 12midnight.

levanlaere · April 2012

My venue is just like yours! The ceremony and reception are in the same location and they only rent out the facilities for 4 hours. So my wedding is at 6, should end at 6:30 and then the reception ends at 10.

If anything we will create our own after party at the closest bar.

How long is your reception?

Re: How long is your reception?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards