Reception Start time?

Lisax4156 · May 2014

Hi all.. So our ceremony starts at 5;30 pm and will be about 20 mins., with a mini photo session after. Our reception venue is about 20 mins away. Seeing that our ceremony is in a casino, it will take about 15-20 mins for guests to work their way to their cars. So I'm wondering what time I should start the reception? Will 7 or 7:30 work? My reception will be 3 hours from start to finish. Thanks all

jenna8984 · May 2014

It never takes anyone 20 minutes to make it to their car (unless they parked 2 miles away). People expect that cocktail hour is starting so they get to their car and they go, they don't hang around gambling and taking their time. Cocktail hour should start by 6:30 maybe even 6:15. You should make sure you are there by 7:30 to start. Nobody likes standing around waiting on you for more than an hour. So if you want more pictures, take them beforehand.

artbyallie · May 2014

Lisax4156 said: Hi all.. So our ceremony starts at 5;30 pm and will be about 20 mins., with a mini photo session after. Our reception venue is about 20 mins away. Seeing that our ceremony is in a casino, it will take about 15-20 mins for guests to work their way to their cars. So I'm wondering what time I should start the reception? Will 7 or 7:30 work? My reception will be 3 hours from start to finish. Thanks all

quote is broken

The reception should start by the time the first guest is able to arrive, assuming they're the first out of the building, hit all green lights, etc. So the doors should open by 6. How are you multiplying 20 minutes by 3 (and yeah, no way will it take the first person out 20 minutes to get to their car) and getting 2 hours?

Lisax4156 · May 2014

Umm because I live in Vegas and we're getting married on the strip? That's how I calculated the time to their car. The chapel is on one side of the hotel and the parking garage is on the other. They have to take an elevator down 3 floors and walk across a huge casino. Nevermind the fact that parking comes at a premium at this hotel and most have to park very far from the entrance. Let alone, everyone who's coming to our ceremony/reception knows each other, so I'm sure they'll be hanging back to talk to each other. We're all mutual friends. Any other place and I wouldn't worry about the time. 6 pm is definately way too early. Let alone, I said it would take 20 mins to even get to the reception place.

jenna8984 · May 2014

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk through a large casino. And people don't "hang back" to talk to each other because they assume they'll be doing that at cocktail hour. They're not going to stand and talk with no refreshments when they know there's a place waiting for them to stand and talk with refreshments.

emmyg65 · May 2014

6:30

5:30-5:50: Ceremony

5:50-6:10: (very generous) time to get to cars

6:10-6:30: Traveling to the reception

STARMOON44 · May 2014

6:30.

theartistformerlyknownas · May 2014

Lisax4156 said:

Hi all.. So our ceremony starts at 5;30 pm and will be about 20 mins., with a mini photo session after. Our reception venue is about 20 mins away. Seeing that our ceremony is in a casino, it will take about 15-20 mins for guests to work their way to their cars. So I'm wondering what time I should start the reception? Will 7 or 7:30 work? My reception will be 3 hours from start to finish. Thanks all

Saying it does take then 20 minutes to get in from their cars and another 20 minutes back. People will be walking for 40 minutes to witness a 20 minute ceremony? That sounds kind of awful to me. There's no better solution you can work out for parking? Shuttle or anything? I know Vegas makes that pretty difficult but I don't think people should be walking twice the length of your ceremony to get there and back.

KatWAG · May 2014

Another vote for 6:30

singinchick13 · May 2014

Yes, 6:30 absolutely. I also think it is ridiculous to walk for 40 minutes to and from a ceremony, regardless of its length. Will there be a cocktail hour for guests to enjoy themselves while you are having your mini photo session? And if you do not start anthing until 7 or 7:30 then what do you expect your guests to do when they get to the venue at 6:30? Stand around and wait for you? That is called a gap and is very rude. Your guests need to be hosted from the minute they arrive at the venue.

tcnoble · May 2014

@Lisax4156 Vegas local here... what hotel are you getting married in and where is your reception?? I might be able to offer a little more insight, knowing the area.

artbyallie · May 2014

Lisax4156 said: Umm because I live in Vegas and we're getting married on the strip? That's how I calculated the time to their car. The chapel is on one side of the hotel and the parking garage is on the other. They have to take an elevator down 3 floors and walk across a huge casino. Nevermind the fact that parking comes at a premium at this hotel and most have to park very far from the entrance. Let alone, everyone who's coming to our ceremony/reception knows each other, so I'm sure they'll be hanging back to talk to each other. We're all mutual friends. Any other place and I wouldn't worry about the time. 6 pm is definately way too early. Let alone, I said it would take 20 mins to even get to the reception place.

this thread hates my quote boxes

Even so, that would put the very first person (who is eager for cocktail hour and doesn't care to stop and chitchat in a casino lobby) to get in their car and start for the reception venue getting there at 6:10. And you expect them, after walking a total of 40 minutes already, to do what? Stand outside for another hour?

provocajade · May 2014

Hrrmm... Caesars Palace is my guess for the chapel? Im a local as well.

How about this, you live here so why don't you time it? Walk into the casino to your chapel at around 6 when the ceremony ends and walk out and drive to the venue. Give people about 10 minutes extra from there to arrive in case they are slow walkers or something and that is reasonable of a time. If youre very concerned with stragglers, ask someone in your wedding party to usher people to get to the venue and talk there.

No one is gonna get mad because the first people have drinks already by the time they get there...but people are gonna be upset if they're standing there doing nothing waiting and waiting. If you guys dont want your guests to be eating dinner without if youre planning for photos, then arrange for a cocktail hour and do full dinner at your arrival. Gotta host them with something in the gap.

PrettyGirlLost · May 2014

6:15-6:30 reception start time.

Lisax4156 · May 2014

I'm getting married at the Excalibur. I've talked to the ladies there and the ceremony with pictures is about 30 mins. I've talked to our reception coordinator and she said to start it at 7. She will open the doors to any early guests at 6:30. So that is that. 7 pm it is! Thanks everyone!

Lisa

JennyColada · May 2014

I'm confused with how you decided on 7 when nearly everyone said to start it at 6:30. Just "opening the doors" isn't the same thing as hosting your guests properly.

tcnoble · May 2014

@Lisax4156 where is your reception located at?

MyNameIsNot · May 2014

Jennycolada said:

I'm confused with how you decided on 7 when nearly everyone said to start it at 6:30. Just "opening the doors" isn't the same thing as hosting your guests properly.

Because she wants the party to wait until she gets there to start. Basically, she's more interested in her own enjoyment than on her guests. It's the same reason she thinks it's acceptable to make people walk 20 minutes either direction to get to her ceremony.

theartistformerlyknownas · May 2014

MyNameIsNot said:

Jennycolada said:

I'm confused with how you decided on 7 when nearly everyone said to start it at 6:30. Just "opening the doors" isn't the same thing as hosting your guests properly.

Because she wants the party to wait until she gets there to start. Basically, she's more interested in her own enjoyment than on her guests. It's the same reason she thinks it's acceptable to make people walk 20 minutes either direction to get to her ceremony.

And because she didn't want advice, she wanted somebody - anybody - to agree with what she wanted. She got her industry stooge to do that.

Lisax4156 · May 2014

Wow you guys are totally snarky, judging and in the wrong. You guys should be ashamed of yourself .. seriously. All because someone decided to go with something else over what was suggested???? Wow very childish..

My event coordinator informed me that I should start at 7, because if I started at 6:30, I'd be losing time for my reception, especially if people didn't show up until 7, which will most likely happen. This has absolutely nothing to do with me (I get together about once a month with a lot of these ppl anyways so it'll just feel like another party for me). I've talked to both of my coordinators after contemplating this issue, and they both said 7. So, Sorry if I am going with my coordinators suggestions rather than your own.

Also note that we know everyone who is coming. They're all close friends. They will show up when they want to. No one is ever on time. Some aren't even going to the ceremony due to work, but will be attending the reception.

you all need to just chill out.. seriously.. bashing someone who just wanted help? Grow up. That's ridiculous. Besides, it is not your call. But thanks for the suggestions.

Lisax4156 · May 2014

lolo883 said:

Jennycolada said:

I'm confused with how you decided on 7 when nearly everyone said to start it at 6:30. Just "opening the doors" isn't the same thing as hosting your guests properly.

Because she wants the party to wait until she gets there to start. Basically, she's more interested in her own enjoyment than on her guests. It's the same reason she thinks it's acceptable to make people walk 20 minutes either direction to get to her ceremony.

Apparently you aren't aware that in Vegas, especially on the Strip, there's a lot of walking to be done. The casinos are very known for this as well. Due to their size, they can take quite awhile to get from one side to another, in upwards of 20 minutes, depending on the casino. Since the chapel is on the opposite side of the parking garage on the property, it will take approximately 13 minutes to get from the chapel to the parking garage. I timed it when I went there the other day. Let alone, it will be on a Saturday night, so it will be full of tourists especially because it will be dinner time. So you can add on another few minutes.

So again, I'm taking my coordinators advise and I'm starting at 7. I don't want to lose any time for my reception. I only have 3 hours from start to finish.. If I had 4+ hours for my reception, sure, I'd have no problem wasting time, but since I only have 3, I dont' really have any time to spare. All of my guests are married. They will understand.

artbyallie · May 2014

But what's going to happen to the people who do get there before 7? They're going to have to stand around with no food or drink for 15-30 minutes and that's just poor hosting.

Lisax4156 · May 2014

Thanks for your concerns but I got this covered. Don't worry about my guests.. My event coordinator will take care of them for me..let alone all guests have been notified that the reception starts at 7..

Please no more comments on this thread. It's just beating a dead horse..

grumbledore · May 2014

Lisax4156 said:
Wow you guys are totally snarky, judging and in the wrong. You guys should be ashamed of yourself .. seriously. All because someone decided to go with something else over what was suggested???? Wow very childish..

My event coordinator informed me that I should start at 7, because if I started at 6:30, I'd be losing time for my reception, especially if people didn't show up until 7, which will most likely happen. This has absolutely nothing to do with me (I get together about once a month with a lot of these ppl anyways so it'll just feel like another party for me). I've talked to both of my coordinators after contemplating this issue, and they both said 7. So, Sorry if I am going with my coordinators suggestions rather than your own.

Also note that we know everyone who is coming. They're all close friends. They will show up when they want to. No one is ever on time. Some aren't even going to the ceremony due to work, but will be attending the reception.

you all need to just chill out.. seriously.. bashing someone who just wanted help? Grow up. That's ridiculous. Besides, it is not your call. But thanks for the suggestions.

Get over yourself. You asked a question. People answered it. Just because you didn't like the answers, doesn't mean we are mean or wrong.

Generally, if everyone disagrees with you, you are wrong. Only exception - special snowflakes.

mlg78 · May 2014

*eye roll*

If your event coordinator told you 7 then why the heck are you here asking us? Because you wanted opinions, right? We told you 6:30pm because 7pm would be rude to your guests. You don't like the opinion and yet, you felt the need to ask for them... That's some pretty backwards thinking...

So go along and do whatever the heck you want...but unless you really want to listen to this advice, don't ask...it's a waste of our time and yours.

Maggie0829 · May 2014

Starting 30 minutes early will not take that much time off of your reception. Just saying. I personally would rather have the reception area opened and ready to receive guests 15+ minutes before their schedule arrival so that when they do arrive all they have to do is walk in and grab a drink rather then wait for the event coordinator to open the doors and get things started.

PrettyGirlLost · May 2014

Lisax4156 said:
Thanks for your concerns but I got this covered. Don't worry about my guests.. My event coordinator will take care of them for me..let alone all guests have been notified that the reception starts at 7..

Please no more comments on this thread. It's just beating a dead horse..

I don't really think you do have this covered.

Lisax4156 · May 2014

mlg78 said:

*eye roll*

If your event coordinator told you 7 then why the heck are you here asking us? Because you wanted opinions, right? We told you 6:30pm because 7pm would be rude to your guests. You don't like the opinion and yet, you felt the need to ask for them... That's some pretty backwards thinking...

So go along and do whatever the heck you want...but unless you really want to listen to this advice, don't ask...it's a waste of our time and yours.

I asked my coordinator only a couple of days ago, so it was AFTER this thread was started. I was talking with her about start times. So, technically NO its NOT backwards thinking, but thanks.

misshart00 · May 2014

So why didn't you ask her to start with? Since it's her job to coordinate your wedding and all.

theartistformerlyknownas · May 2014

Don't tell us how to post.

JennyColada · May 2014

Wedding coordinators don't always have the best advice. They are not the word of Wedding God. Just because she recommends something does mean that it's the best option.

Reception Start time?

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