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Wedding Etiquette Forum

XP: Which (food) option would you like best as a guest?

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: (maybe 4:05 or 4:10 if we start late but hopefully we won't!) 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 (guests who aren't necessarily OOT but want a room that night), 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! :)

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Re: XP: Which (food) option would you like best as a guest?

  • If I am one of the first ones out of the church, I'll say hello to you and be ready to move on at 4:10pm.  20 minutes travel time still puts me an hour early.  

    If I'm not staying at the hotel, I wouldn't want to have to travel to another location.  Is the weather going to be warm enough to have people outside for the food truck option?  What if it rains?  Will you have some seating for people?  


  • Just a note, not everyone will be waiting the 45 minutes at the receiving line, so there is a bigger gap than you're expecting for many of the guests. 

    If there really isn't anything you can do, I would set something small up at the church as a 'cocktail hour' then go straight into dinner at the reception. Your pictures should be done by then, so I don't see why you need a gap and a cocktail hour at the reception. 
  • As I said on your other thread, why can't you start cocktail hour at 5?



  • bethsmilesbethsmiles member
    10000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited November 2013
    Viczaesar said:
    As I said on your other thread, why can't you start cocktail hour at 5?
    This. Why are you starting the cocktail hour half an hour later than your venue allows? Also, what are your guests supposed to do for 45 minutes while you are doing a receiving line?


  • My venue only allows cocktail hour at 5:30. I begged for 5pm, but they have an afternoon wedding.

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  • Even with 200 guests I do not see the receiving line taking 45 minutes. And like others have said the people out of the church first will be on the road a lot sooner then those leaving the church last. You should move the cocktail hour to 5pm.

  • ...Or even 430 for those guests who get out of the church first.

  • Oh well then I guess out of the options you have I'd prefer something at the church. I don't want to travel around to a bunch of different locations and I don't want to stand out in the cold.

    But Id probably be annoyed anyway because there isn't really anything happening 4:00 until 5:30 and then its a cocktail hour, by that time I just want the damn reception to start. I'd be less annoyed if there wasn't a cocktail hour at 5:30. Offering something at the church would be enough of a cocktail hour for me.


  • I wish I could move the reception to 5pm, but my venue won't allow it. They are even working with me by offering the 5:30 time. Most venues in my area do 6pm or 7pm cocktail hours, so finding a 5:30pm option was lucky.

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  • Even with 200 guests I do not see the receiving line taking 45 minutes. And like others have said the people out of the church first will be on the road a lot sooner then those leaving the church last. You should move the cocktail hour to 5pm.
    I thought the same thing until my mom insisted that guests wait until the receiving line is completely done (even if they're first in line) to do the formal exit of the bride and groom (bubbles, bells, etc). I've only been to two weddings (without receiving lines), so I'm really not sure how this typically works. I only have the opinions of my mom and aunts who say "that's how weddings are done here (New Jersey)."

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  • Do a cocktail hour at the church.

    Do something that is fully hosted where guests can sit indoors. But, I would not want to travel to a third location if I were not staying at the hotel. 
  • I would either have some refreshments at the church or have something at the reception venue. I would not want to go to the hotel (a 3rd site) if I wasn't staying there. I would probably opt for the church if they have an indoor option like a hall or something. 
  • @SP29

    @mrspizanotobe

    That's a great point about a 3rd location. I'm really trying to put myself in my guests' shoes and keep everyone happy and hydrated during the small gap. My family is used to 2 hour+ gaps, so they haven't been much help, as they feel like my small gap is not a big deal. I know that it can be an etiquette breach if you don't properly host, so I'm trying my best avoid that.

    I really appreciate the honest opinions!

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  • You cannot force your guests to stick around at the church for 45 minutes for the receiving line.


  • You cannot force your guests to stick around at the church for 45 minutes for the receiving line.
    I feel the same way! I was just confused because my mom and aunts insist that this is "the way it's done." Only being to 2 weddings, I'm quite inexperienced. I'd rather let guests leave when they'd like.

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  • Option #2 or #4.  
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  • As a guest I wouldn't want any of these options. You still have a gap. I'd rather just entertain myself. Maybe I'd go to the hotel bar, maybe I'd sit in my car and read, whatever. But none of these ideas get rid of the gap so I'm of the why bother point if view. Also if the church wont let you start after 3 I doubt they'll be okay with a food truck or refreshments- the whole goal is getting you out of there. Just chalk this up as a rude thing you're doing and try not to do anything else.
  • I don't know what your budget is like, but would it be an option to have something at the church and a suite at the hotel?  That way guests who aren't staying at the hotel can have snacks at the church, and guests who are going to check in at the hotel or who want to leave their cars there for the reception can have food there.  I would go with food truck at the reception (weather permitting) and a private room with light food at the hotel (I don't think you need alcohol).

  • Even with 200 guests I do not see the receiving line taking 45 minutes. And like others have said the people out of the church first will be on the road a lot sooner then those leaving the church last. You should move the cocktail hour to 5pm.
    I thought the same thing until my mom insisted that guests wait until the receiving line is completely done (even if they're first in line) to do the formal exit of the bride and groom (bubbles, bells, etc). I've only been to two weddings (without receiving lines), so I'm really not sure how this typically works. I only have the opinions of my mom and aunts who say "that's how weddings are done here (New Jersey)."
    While you can't demand people stick around, a fair amount probably will if you spread the word that you are doing the formal exit from the church.  It may help if you are handing something out for the exit (birdseed, bubbles, etc.).  I also doubt it will take 45 minutes.
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  • aurorajanetteaurorajanette member
    500 Love Its 100 Comments Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited November 2013
    mysticl said:

    Even with 200 guests I do not see the receiving line taking 45 minutes. And like others have said the people out of the church first will be on the road a lot sooner then those leaving the church last. You should move the cocktail hour to 5pm.
    I thought the same thing until my mom insisted that guests wait until the receiving line is completely done (even if they're first in line) to do the formal exit of the bride and groom (bubbles, bells, etc). I've only been to two weddings (without receiving lines), so I'm really not sure how this typically works. I only have the opinions of my mom and aunts who say "that's how weddings are done here (New Jersey)."
    While you can't demand people stick around, a fair amount probably will if you spread the word that you are doing the formal exit from the church.  It may help if you are handing something out for the exit (birdseed, bubbles, etc.).  I also doubt it will take 45 minutes.
    I don't think I'd use the word demand here, but I think that if you have maybe a little table with a veggie tray and punch bowl, and little bottles of bubbles, people will get the hint and stick around until you leave.

    ETA: Sorry, I read this wrong. I read it as, "Why can't you demand people stick around..." Obviously not the case. I agree with mysticl
  • This is all amazing advice and insight! Thank you so much!

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  • I would be happy with any of those options and having accepted your invitation to come to your wedding, would have already geared up for the hassle that comes with all weddings and would not be bothered by the extra stop at the hotel for drinks or a gracious food truck outside the church. I would think that would be a nice option if I wanted to close the gap and if I didn't want to participate, I wouldn't. I wouldn't be annoyed at all
  • A 45 minute receiving line sounds horrible.  You said you're in NJ...I am in NJ also and have never seen a 45 minute receiving line.  Actually, no one really does them at all, because they are annoying.  And then if, after standing around for 45 minutes waiting for you to exit the church, I had to wait even longer for cocktail hour to start, I would be more annoyed.  Can you start mass later if you can't start cocktail hour earlier?
  • jneen101 said:
    A 45 minute receiving line sounds horrible.  You said you're in NJ...I am in NJ also and have never seen a 45 minute receiving line.  Actually, no one really does them at all, because they are annoying.  And then if, after standing around for 45 minutes waiting for you to exit the church, I had to wait even longer for cocktail hour to start, I would be more annoyed.  Can you start mass later if you can't start cocktail hour earlier?
    After seeing everybody's responses, I realized that I definitely miscalculated on the time that it will take for the receiving line. I'm thinking it'll actually take 15-20 minutes, and everyone can leave when they please.

    The church is pretty strict with their start time because of Saturday mass, unfortunately.

    Another idea that my planner suggested was having an open tab at the bar for hotel guests AND having an open tab for the guests who aren't staying at the hotel at a bar and grille directly across the street from the reception venue.

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  • Even with 200 guests I do not see the receiving line taking 45 minutes. And like others have said the people out of the church first will be on the road a lot sooner then those leaving the church last. You should move the cocktail hour to 5pm.
    I thought the same thing until my mom insisted that guests wait until the receiving line is completely done (even if they're first in line) to do the formal exit of the bride and groom (bubbles, bells, etc). I've only been to two weddings (without receiving lines), so I'm really not sure how this typically works. I only have the opinions of my mom and aunts who say "that's how weddings are done here (New Jersey)."
    That sounds completely awful and as a guest, I would be super pissed to have to sit around for your to have a grand exit like you're some sort of royalty. 

  • Even with 200 guests I do not see the receiving line taking 45 minutes. And like others have said the people out of the church first will be on the road a lot sooner then those leaving the church last. You should move the cocktail hour to 5pm.
    I thought the same thing until my mom insisted that guests wait until the receiving line is completely done (even if they're first in line) to do the formal exit of the bride and groom (bubbles, bells, etc). I've only been to two weddings (without receiving lines), so I'm really not sure how this typically works. I only have the opinions of my mom and aunts who say "that's how weddings are done here (New Jersey)."
    That sounds completely awful and as a guest, I would be super pissed to have to sit around for your to have a grand exit like you're some sort of royalty. 
    I agree. I decided that regardless of what my mother insists, I will not be forcing guests to wait.

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  • Honestly, this whole thing sounds like a mess. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

    I think you need to tell your mom and aunt that you don't think that all of the guests should have to stick around for the formal exit.

    Or, you know, have the receiving line at the reception where you're receiving your guests. Isn't that how it's supposed to work?
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  • CallaLily, I like your attitude. 



  • Viczaesar said:
    CallaLily, I like your attitude. 
    @Viczaesar: Thank you :) I appreciate all of the honest advice I've gotten from this board. I think my mom and aunts are very focused on what was "traditionally done," but not what is best for guests' comfort. Since I've only been to two weddings in my life, I was depending a lot on their experience and advice, but I'm really glad to have found this board. I want to be the most gracious host I can be, and I know I can get unbiased feedback here.

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