Here is my wedding timeline. I've exhausted every possible option as to how to close the gap more, but between my church's requirements and the lack of venues that start before 5pm in my area (unless you have a 12pm reception which would be fine if not for the strict 3pm start time of ceremonies at my church), this is the best I could do:
3:00-4:00 pm: Full Catholic Mass
4:00-4:45 pm (maybe a tad earlier): Receiving line for 200 guests and formal exit of the bride and groom
4:45-5:05 pm (with no traffic): Travel to reception hall
5:30 pm: Start of cocktail hour
Now, most of our guests will be OOT and staying at the hotel. For those who only have the room for Saturday, they will need to check-in (check-in is at 4pm) after the ceremony. An optional shuttle will then be available to take them to the reception.
But for those guests who aren't staying at the hotel, I have a few ideas for options for them.
If you were a guest attending my wedding and NOT staying at the hotel, which option would you like best?
1. Open tab at the bar at the hotel with room blocks (hotel is 15 minutes from church, 10 minutes from reception)
2. Food truck outside the ceremony with pastries and some hot beverages (fall wedding)
3. Private room in the hotel with some light fare and refreshments
4. Some snacks/refreshments at the church (but only until a little after 5pm, as Saturday mass is at 5:30pm)
...or would you be pretty annoyed regardless?
Thank you for any opinions...I really appreciate it!
