I am getting married May of 2007. Our Reception is at a different location then the ceremony. The ceremony is at 1:30 Dinner will be served at 5 that to me is WAY too much time between, but nothing I could change. Guests can enter the Reception hall, drinks will be served but I don't want them getting bored.
SOOO I am wonder if anyone has good ideas to keep my guest entertained in that time frame ?!?
2006-11-15 09:11:04 · 12 answers · asked by Nichole 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Guests can get into the Reception Hall right after the ceremony, we are planning on having poster boards with pictures of him and I for guest to look at, and I do plan on having an activity table for the kids. We can not afford to do appetizers, or have the DJ start early. I do plan on making cd's with music for the background. I just need CUTE ideas something different and unique .. like us :) Thanks for your help !!
2006-11-15 11:17:46 · update #1
a good dj always helps... I would recommend taking your pictures before the wedding, because that is what takes up a lot of the time in between the ceremony and the reception. you and your new hubby should go freshen up, then meet everyone at the reception hall perhaps an hour after the ceremony is over, and just start other festivities depending on your preference. dinner doesn't have to be the first thing done at a reception :)
good luck with everything and congratulations!
2006-11-15 09:16:56 · answer #1 · answered by Green-eyed Nikki 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With three hours lapse in between events, I would say that you can "hire" some family members to take the out of town guests on a mini-tour of your area. You can rent a bus or trolley and go around and look at some of the better things in your area.
Some of the older guests might like to take a walk through a flower garden, or art museum. Some of the younger guys might want to hook up and head over to the Sports Bar.
You can also hire some pre-reception entertainment for the guests, but since that is just another added expense, I say let the guests have other options to entertain themselves.
You can even have a side site where the guests can go and sip wine, like a flower garden or a relatives home (depending on the amount of guests).
Some guests might want to run back to the hotel to freshen up.
Bottom line though is that while some guests may enjoy it, you may be short a few guests at dinner time with such a large gap of time.
You can set up a cocktail hour about 4 pm and serve "signature" refreshments and minature hors dourves.
Whatever your plans, be sure to let the guests know PRIOR to the wedding of the days events- you can even include an agenda for the guests or entertainment suggestions with the invite (seperate)
Good luck!
2006-11-15 19:23:27 · answer #2 · answered by glorymomof3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We couldn't afford appetizers either and we had a good chunk of time between ceremony and reception. Luckily the church we were using also had a large kitchen and fellowship hall so my mom went to Sam's Club the day before and got some different finger foods. Why pay $150 for a tray of shrimp that costs $15? Our family had so much fun, just hanging out after the wedding and not feeling like they had to rush to the reception hall. It was also a great time for everyone to get their photo op in. My uncle took the pictures and we opened it up to EVERYONE! The people that wanted to hung out for a good hour. The people who had kids or hadn't gotten a gift yet were thankful for the extra time.
2006-11-15 19:56:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. Since your ceremony is at 1:30 it will probably be over by 2 or so. Are you having a mass or anything? Once a few pictures are taken, get into a limo or whatever, drive to the reception site-it really won't be all that long that your guests are having to wait. We had hor dourves served and the bar open until we got there to start things off. It will be ok-don't sweat that kind of stuff-Have fun!
2006-11-15 17:18:38 · answer #4 · answered by Jessica W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are you haven't sent out the invites yet...and if you have, you should have waited. Put on the reception card that the cocktail hour doesn't start until 4:00...that way your guests can go back to the hotel, relax and freshen up a bit before having to go right to the reception. People don't like going from one thing to another so quickly, so make sure it is known that guests can not arrive before 4 (even though they can, they won't know that)...I am positive that the caterer won't even begin setting up until 3 or so and having your guests there to watch is just tacky.
2006-11-16 09:52:03 · answer #5 · answered by VAWeddingSpecialist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your videographer tape interviews of each guest so you will have a great video of your wedding. Hire a band and let them dance. Let your guests write their good wishes or marriage advice on pieces of paper and put them in a special container to be shared later. Put disposable cameras on the tables and let your guests take pictures of each other. The time will pass faster than you think. Your ceremony should last about 1 hour, there is travel time to consider, and so you are only really looking at about 2 hours to fill.
2006-11-15 17:17:47 · answer #6 · answered by TXChristDem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe come up with some great game ideas. Give guests all a kodak disposible camera and have them walk around the area and take pics of what your wedding day is like. Maybe have a sheet going around where your guests can fill out tips and advice for a healthy marriage and relationship...just give them something little to do to amuse themselves. Get the dance floor going.. Have a videographer going around so guests can make participate in making a wedding tape for you, etc.
2006-11-15 17:18:43 · answer #7 · answered by CoCo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can a relative throw a pre-reception party at a house where everyone can just sit around and watch the game?
What about renting a screen at the movie theater, and showing an old classic. That's probably cheap.
2006-11-15 18:39:54 · answer #8 · answered by ee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not up to you to entertain your guests in the interim. Some will go back to their hotels to have a rest. Parents may take their kids for naps. Some people will take the break to go shopping, while family might gather at each other's houses for a visit before the supper.
2006-11-15 17:23:01 · answer #9 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have live music, or a comedian or something. Dang that is a long time for people to wait, and a long time for them to drink. Better keep an eye on the bar. Perhaps you could have a photographer there so they could take family portraits in the interim?
Take them all to a baseball game? You've made quite a challenge for yourself. Good luck.
2006-11-15 17:15:02 · answer #10 · answered by dantheman_028 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋