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gap between wedding & reception

klgrh6klgrh6 member
First Comment
in Missouri-St Louis
This has been an on-going issue for us. We aren't sure when to start our reception because of the time gap. Our ceremony is set for 3pm and our reception will be set for 6 or 7pm. We are waiting to see each other until come down the aisle so we have to fit pictures in between and there's a 30 minute drive between location.

We had originally said 6pm reception, dinner 6:30 but i'm afraid it won't leave enough time for pictures. My FMIL keeps complaining about the wait and the idea of dinner being served at 7:30 if our start time is 7. So my fiance wants to just say 6:30 start 7pm dinner to give us enough time and keep dinner at a reasonable time. Anything thoughts or helpful suggestions...
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Re: gap between wedding & reception

  • bee8278bee8278
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our ceremony ended about 3pm, didn't see each other before so all pics after. Our reception started at 6:30 with a 1 hour cocktail hour, so dinner was at 8 by the time we finished our intros/cake cutting/first dances. It seemed to go ok with the cocktail hour light food. We just had veggie tray, cheese and crackers at the cocktail hour.
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  • Krisy1441Krisy1441
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm having the same debate. I haven't booked a photographer yet but I saw somewhere that speaking with your photographer about how much time they'll need and whatnot may help. Hope that Helps!
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  • cbvcru67cbvcru67 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If i were you, I would try my hardest to have a reception start time of 6pm with dinner at 6:30.  I know it puts you in a tight place for pictures (only about 1.5 hours for bride and groom photography), but to make it work, I would suggest taking photos with the different sides earlier in the day, like at 12 or 1 with the bridesmaids and stuff. 

    If i were a guest, I know I would end up bored out of my mind if I had two hours to kill in-between wedding and reception.  Its not long enough to do anything fun, and too long for it to feel quick.  In these situations, most people I know end up going to a bar and drinking for the few hours, and that usually ends up sloppier than most people want.  Plus, its awkward - should you grab something to eat during the gap? You know there is usually a nice dinner coming up and you dont want to spoil your appetite, but then most people will have eaten lunch at 10 or 11 before getting ready - especially the wedding party.

    I understand having a gap, but think that if you can minimize it - not widen it for pictures, most people will appreciate it.
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  • fam6fam6
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am on here currently planning my second wedding.  So, I can share with you what worked well with my first wedding.  We did ALL of our seperate pictures before the wedding.  We did them in the church as well as in a garden outside the church.  I want to say we had about 2 hours to do these...ended up about an hour each.  We did not see each other until we went down the aisle.  Then after we had about 30 minutes and were able to get done the pictures with other people and us, family, bridal party etc.  Then we had roughly an hour to take pictures of the two of us.  We had more pictures to choose from that we could have ever imagined.  We were able to spend our time with guests and celebrating our day instead of just with the photographer.  And we had the formal Catholic ceremony with six attendants each and two big families...so I think you can do it, and start at 6 pm if that is what you want!
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