Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions
Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions
New Discussion
Options

Between the Ceremony and Reception

NortonMyersNortonMyers member
First Comment
in Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions

The ceremony is at a hotel and then we are providing the transportion for our 70 guests to a restaurant 45 minutes away for our celebration dinner.

Pictures after the ceremony are going to take about an hour (hopefully less- but I've been told to expect the hour).  Only half will be needed for that formal/posed picture time.

Since our dinner is at another location where parking is difficult- most will use the provided limo transportation and won't leave before us for a traditional reception cocktail hour.

What should we do for our guests during that hour? Anything?

Report Reply to Post

Re: Between the Ceremony and Reception

  • Options
    MsLaura31MsLaura31
    First Comment
    Sounds like a great reason to take your pictures before the wedding. I'm not a huge fan of that (from the bride's perspective), but as a guest I would be furious if the couple made me wait around with nothing to do for an hour for transportation and then another 45 minutes in the car. Plus the guests who are driving themselves will arrive at the reception and also have nothing to do.

    If you absolutely won't take pictures before the ceremony, you should definitely have food (if not a full cocktail hour) in a comfortable room at your reception site. You might even think about making your favors something they can use in the car ride... (maybe cutsie personalize roadtrip games, a local magazine, make mixed CDs for the drivers to play, etc). But even then, 1 hour 45 minutes is a long time to wait for a reception to start.
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Options
    aerinpegadrakaerinpegadrak member
    5 Love Its Combo Breaker First Comment
    What are the guests supposed to be doing while you're taking pictures?  Honestly, if I was attending a wedding and got wind of the fact that I'd have to sit around for 45 minutes while the WP was taking pictures, then another 45 minutes in the limo to the reception, I'd skip the ceremony and go straight to the restaurant.  That sounds like a logisitical nightmare.
    This is a neglected planning bio.
    This is a belated married bio, with no reviews yet because I'm lazy.

    image
    Sometimes I feel like people think that brides are delicate little flower princesses who get all dressed up and pretty for one special moment of their dreams, when really they're just normal people who just happen to be getting married. Things shouldn't have to be sugar-coated for grown-ass women. -mstar284
    Report Reply
  • Options
    duckie1905duckie1905 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment
    The point of having a cocktail hour is provide your guests with something to do while you are taking pictures.

    Either arrange to have them transported directly to the restaurant (and everyone else can be transported after photos) or take your pictures before so that you can all head over together.

    It is really rude to expect your guests to stand around and do nothing while you get your photos taken.  If I heard this was going to be the case, I'd be inclined to skip the ceremony or not attend at all.  I already think that the travel time is too much so consider how you may already be inconveniencing your guests and allow them to proceed directly to the reception after the ceremony.
    Report Reply
  • Options
    kristinanddankristinanddan member
    First Comment Combo Breaker
    I agree with the others. Set up a cocktail hour with some drinks and appetizers, or take your photos beforehand.
    imageimageimage
    Report Reply
  • Options
    atlcatloveratlcatlover member
    First Anniversary First Comment

    Why can't your guests go to the reception and have the cocktail hour start when they arrive?  I realize that means you and FI wouldn't necessarily get to partake, but it is very rude to make your guests wait that long for you.
    Our guests went straight to the reception and had cocktails and appetizers while they were waiting for us and it worked out perfectly.

    Bio

    Photobucket
    Report Reply
  • Options
    cameroncurrancameroncurran
    First Comment
    Remember your guests are expecting to be fed and given something to drink. Making your elders/children/pregnant friends stand around and wait for you for 45 would annoy alllllll of your guests. I agree with the rest, send them on their way, you will have to miss the cocktail hour. You can always lenthen the coctail hour, take pics for 45 min, be there for 45 min. You don't want a bus full of annoyed guests!
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards