The wedding ceremony and wedding reception take place at different times during the day. The wedding ceremony happens first and is followed by the reception either immediately after or later that day.
How long after ceremony does reception start?
Cocktail hour—usually an hour, but can be longer (and remember that your cocktail hour can take place before the ceremony or in between the ceremony and reception, depending on your schedule and preference) Your wedding reception (dinner and dancing), which is runs about four hours.
What is the normal schedule for a wedding reception?
The standard wedding reception is composed of a one-hour cocktail party and a four-hour reception usually centered around a meal. That said, there’s still plenty of flexibility to make it your own–the couple, the cultures, the venue, and the wedding size all play a role in how the night unfolds.
How far is too far between wedding and reception?
As a general suggestion, try to keep the travel distance under 20 miles from ceremony to reception. If your reception site is further away than 20 miles, then be sure to make it a special destination for you as well as your guests.
Is 3 hours between ceremony and reception too long?
A break of 60 to 90 minutes is fine. Anything longer and guests will start getting antsy, but it’s impossible to avoid in some instances (like when you’re hosting a church ceremony that can only happen at 12 noon).
What happens immediately after the wedding ceremony?
Typically immediately after the wedding ceremony, the cocktail hour will start. Guests can munch on hors d’oeuvres, grab a cocktail or two (or three) and mingle amongst themselves and the wedding party. This is also a great opportunity for your wedding photographer to get some good shots! Cocktail hour ends.
Do you have to have reception the same day as wedding?
Many choose to have the wedding ceremony on a much smaller scale, such as an elopement, then schedule a much bigger post-elopement reception at a later date. Others opt to have the reception on the same day as the wedding ceremony but only invite a handful of guests to witness the ceremony itself.
How long should photos be between ceremony and reception?
Allow 30 minutes post-ceremony for photos of you and your groom. If you did have a first look, you’ll still want 15-20 minutes post-ceremony for just the two of you. Save photos of very large groups (like classmates, coworkers, and large extended family groups) for the reception.
How do you transition from ceremony to reception?
- Having a toast with you and your new spouse.
- Handing out gifts to your wedding party.
- Freshening up for your photos.
- Unwinding from the stress of the morning.
Is 4 hours enough for a wedding reception?
Your typical wedding reception runs about 4-5 hours—plenty of time for cocktails, dinner, toasts and, of course, dancing! Follow this foolproof wedding reception timeline to ensure a smooth, fun-filled evening of celebration for you and your guests.
Is 2 hours long enough for wedding reception?
Mixed into the many questions is often: “How long should a wedding reception be?” The answer to this will vary depending on the couple, but in most cases, the simple answer is generally 4 hours – which is the industry standard for most event venues.
Are parents introduced at wedding reception?
Aside from a grand newlywed entrance, a lot of the time couples will include the wedding party, and sometimes even parents, as part of the introductions so your guests know who they are.
What is the gap between ceremony and reception?
Timing is everything The key here is whether your reception and ceremony are at the same venue. If they are, then a gap of no more than an hour to 90 minutes is generally acceptable, although you will need to think about how your guests can fill in this time.
What should you not do at a wedding reception?
- Skip the RSVP. istock.com/Jitalia17.
- Treat the couple like travel agents. © Rawpixelimages | Dreamstime.com.
- Wear white. iStock.com/DGLimages.
- Disregard the dress code.
- Show up late.
- Show up too early.
- Arrive giftless.
- Bring a plus-one if you weren’t offered one.
What are you supposed to do between a wedding and reception?
- Serve Drinks and Appetisers.
- Plan Recreational Events/Games.
- Get Some Entertainment (Such as a Band, Comedian, Magician or Caricaturists)
- Rent a Bus or a Boat.
- An Engaging Visitor Register.
- Wishing Box.
- Exploring the Venue.
- Add Some Live Music.
How long is too long for a reception?
The average wedding reception lasts between five and seven hours. Even on the short side of things, a reception should never be shorter than four hours, unless there is a secondary location that everyone has been made aware of. Traditionally, five hours is a standard amount of time for a reception.
Do guests change between ceremony and reception?
The Etiquette Book Yes, it is perfectly acceptable for you to attend the ceremony dressed appropriately (and respectfully!) for church, then relax in the afternoon, and change into your formal attire for the evening’s celebration.
Can a wedding and reception be on different days?
Many couples are now choosing to have the two events on separate dates. Yes, it may appear that you will have more work to do, but there are several benefits to having a separate ceremony and reception. Furthermore, times have changed, and most weddings no longer follow the traditional format.
Who walks out first after wedding ceremony?
The flower girl and the ring bearer (if they remained at the altar during the ceremony) come first (if there’s only one or the other, he or she can walk alone), then the maid of honor and the best man, then the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
What do the newly married couples do after their wedding?
- Relax as Newlyweds. This is definitely the most obvious, but so important!
- Make it Instagram + Facebook Official.
- Open presents.
- Clean Up the Reception Venue.
- Pack for your Honeymoon.
- Spend Time with Family and Friends.
- Host an Informal Brunch.
- Treat Yourself to a Spa Day.
How long after the wedding is the party?
“After-parties are typically two hours,” says Weiss. “But if it’s a destination wedding, it could go all night.” This will vary depending on the guests, and no one knows them better than you. If you have a bunch of partiers on your hands, prepare for a much longer—and rowdier—after-party.
Is it OK to go to wedding and not reception?
Answer: It’s customary to attend the ceremony if you are planning to be at the reception. Typically, it’s OK to skip the reception in favor of going only to the ceremony and not vice versa. However, as long as you have a good reason for missing the ceremony and share that with the couple, it’s permissible.
Can I invite people to my ceremony but not reception?
The answer is “yes, you absolutely can!”. According to the traditional etiquette, it is absolutely okay to invite a small number of guests to the wedding ceremony and have more guests attend the reception. On the other hand, everyone who’s present at the ceremony should also be invited to the reception.
Is it OK not to have a reception after a wedding?
There are several reasons one can have a wedding without a reception. You can still have a great wedding celebration even without a reception, provided you have a small guest list, really very small guest list. Of course, even when you don’t plan to host a reception, you will need to feed your guests.
How early should hair and makeup be done before wedding?
For the bride and a bridal party of four, we suggest starting to get ready four to five hours before the ceremony begins. This will provide ample time for hair, makeup, and photos. Add an hour and a half for each additional bridal party member (or subtract the same amount of time for smaller wedding parties).