Wedding day timeline... Is this strange?

Re: Wedding day timeline... Is this strange?

• AprilH81 member

  

  September 2014

  Knottie52840123 said:

  Our church is directly across the street from the reception. I'm hesitant to do a first look because of ruining my hair, makeup, etc. and not having as an emotional of a reaction the first time I see my groom. We were initially thinking of having an hour and a half break between the ceremony and reception for people to explore the downtown area, but since we have so many out of town guests, by parents think it's rude/award. Any advice out there? 

  
  Not so much strange as rude. If you don't want to do a first look (which is fine) you need to host your guests during the hour or so you need for pictures. 90 minutes is REALLY stretching the time for a hosted cocktail hour, one hour would be better. Your guests are coming into town for your wedding, not to "explore downtown" so I agree with your parents.

  

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• kaos16 member

  

  September 2014

  Knottie52840123 said:

  Our church is directly across the street from the reception. I'm hesitant to do a first look because of ruining my hair, makeup, etc. and not having as an emotional of a reaction the first time I see my groom. We were initially thinking of having an hour and a half break between the ceremony and reception for people to explore the downtown area, but since we have so many out of town guests, by parents think it's rude/award. Any advice out there? 

   

  SIB:

  This is a poor idea.  By having this 1.5 hour break when your reception is across the street you are blatantly telling your guests that pictures are more important than their comfort.  There should not be any gap in this situation.  You have options.  Either do the first look, which I did, and loved or spend cocktail hour away from your guests taking your neccesary photos.

  I, for one, would not be pleased to be all dressed and heeled for a wedding then directed to "explore downtown" when I can see the reception venue ,where there will be delicious food and drinks, from where I am exiting the ceremony!

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• Liatris2010 mod

  

  September 2014

  Your parents are correct, gaps are rude.
  
  As for the emotional experience of seeing your groom, it will be emotional whether you do first look or wait until you are walking down the aisle. It doesn't matter when the first time you see each other is, the feeling will be real regardless of circumstance.
  

  

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• RebeccaFlower member

  

  September 2014

  You can not do a first look and not have a gap, win win for everyone. Gaps are super lame. 

  
  

  My timeline looked like this. 

  4:00-4:30 Ceremony

  4:30-5:30 Hosted cocktail hour (bar open & appetizers... you must host something, veggies & cheese and crackers are fine)

  5:30 reception begins

  
  

  The key with a cocktail hour is the hosting. Plus, you don't need more than an hour for photos. You'll have hundreds. Make a very clear list and get everything that doesn't include you and your groom together prior to the ceremony. 

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• Knottie52840123 member

  

  September 2014

  Thank you all! Appreciate your honesty

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• moutonrouge member

  

  September 2014

  You can get a lot of photos out of the way beforehand - shots of bridal party, each of you with family, etc. Then you just have to do photos where you'd be together during cocktail hour. I would not allow for time to explore the city; as a guest, I would rather the wedding time be compact because what I'd wear to sightsee is not what I'd wear to a wedding. 

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• RebeccaFlower member

  

  September 2014

  Knottie52840123 said:

  Thank you all! Appreciate your honesty

  Bravo to you for not getting your panties in a bunch. Stick around! There's lots you can learn here since lots of us are married. (IE not the blind leading the blind)

  
  

  Tell us about your wedding! Colors? Flowers? Dress porn? We love it all. 

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