Early Arrivers
I'm wondering about early arrivers to the reception. We're having a full Catholic mass. I'm estimating the service to end at 4:00-4:15, 20-30 minutes for the receiving line and everything, and a 20 minute drive to the reception. I figured we'd start our cocktail hour at 5. I also think some people will hightail it over immediately after the ceremony ends or that people may skip the ceremony and just go to the reception. Given the per-person costs of the cocktail hour and it's 'importance' here I don't want to start it too early and have many of our guests miss it.
Am I correct in thinking some guests will be there early?
Would an appropriate solution be having Mimosas and the fruit vegetable & cheese display available from 4 or 4:30 and then start the cocktail hour at 5?
The venue books 6 hours so we have it from 4:00-10:00.
Re: Early Arrivers
i would reconsider the start time of the re3ceiving line. once you see people they will head right over to the reception venue not stand around and wait for you to go through the whole line. assume that the first people on the receiving line will show up at the reception venue 24 minutes after the ceremony is over (oa few mins on line for you and then 20 min drive).
or skip the receiving line, go right to the venue and talk to your guests during the cocktail hour and reception instead.
Does your church have an evening Mass? They may not even permit the recieving line.
Ask your priest first. Regardless, have your venue prepared to start serving 90 minutes after your ceremony starts. (60-70 minutes for mass, 20 minute drive).
Yes, people will arrive early. Lots of non-Catholic guests skip the full mass ceremonies. DH & I always skip recieving lines and head straight to the reception.
We have to be out by 4:30 for the evening mass.
I (may be wrong) always thought it was rude not to thank your guests after the service? I'd honestly rather skip the receiving line personally, but I can hear all the little old ladies clicking their tongues already.
I figured the receiving line to be 15 - 20 minutes, our guest list stands at 220. I've never been to a wedding where the majority of the guests leave the church before the bride and groom, basically they follow the limo to the reception site.
4:00 + 15 receiving line + 10 few quick photos + 5 getting going + 15 drive + 5 parking = 4:50 at the earliest or 4:15 + 20 receiving line + 10 few quick photos + 5 getting going + 20 drive + 5 parking = as late as 5:10
assumed 5:00 a safe plan.
One thing I am certain of, the cocktail hour is much more than a time filler in this area (though lurking here learned that this is not the fact elsewhere) and is pretty pricey for a lot of people to miss up to 2/3 of.