My parents and future inlaws suggested that we leave the wedding reception early to go on our honeymoon since they'll be renting a limo and hotel for us. I don't know if this is traditional or what. They said the reception is mainly for the guests. Here's what my fiance' and I have in mind...
- We eat and socialize for an hour
- The best man gives toast and we cut the cake
- Later we have our first couple dance
- I have my father/daughter dance
- Hug my parents and lil sister goodbye since they're out of town.
- During our departure everyone will cheer us on and wish us well with wedding bubbles (our reception is in the backyard), so i guess it's safe and less messy to use those
Our time at the reception will be less than 2 hours.
My questions are: Is this appropriate? Has anyone left the wedding reception early?
2007-01-23 07:25:52 · 21 answers · asked by Valentine 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I've seen many brides & grooms depart a little early from their reception...this is totally normal and appropriate.
I'd stay at the reception a little longer than just 2 hours though. Receptions are generally 5-6 hours and you want to be sure to greet and thank all of your guests and you'll need time for that.
Maybe plan your departure some time after the DJ starts playing the faster music and people start getting tipsy and dancing. That way they won't notice you left. LOL.
Make sure everything you planned to happen has been completed though, and make sure you have bridesmaids and family to wrap everything up with the reception facility....assign someone to pack up all the stuff you brought like the cake knives, cake top, any items that need to be returned to the cake shop (cake plates and stands), the bride/groom champagne flutes, centerpieces (if you rented or brought your own) and any other items you brought to the facility that you need to keep.
Also, have the reception hall or your wedding planner place the boxes for all these items in a place where someone can find them at the end of the night.
Most of all, have fun and don't stress if you get out of the hall a little later than you wanted : -)
2007-01-23 07:38:55 · answer #1 · answered by Rach 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Traditionally the bride and groom leave a little earlier so their guests can see them off. The most appropriate time for your departure depends on your reception activities and durations. Wedding receptions do not have to last 3-5 hours or more. If you are having a meal without dancing to follow, it is normal for a reception to only last 2-3 hours depending on how many guests are being served. After our cake was served and I dedicated my bouquet, we stepped out to take a few more pictures and change into our going away outfits. It was then announced that we were going to be leaving for our honeymoon and we said our last goodbyes to our guests. Shortly after we left, our guests began leaving as well. So we probably only left 15-30 minutes before everyone else did. If you plan on leaving early, just make sure it's not too early. You should stay and particpate in your wedding activites with your guests.
2007-01-23 17:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by Veronica W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was younger and went to weddings, the receptions lasted anywhere from 3-5 hours, depending on the couple and the festivities. Back then, most of the guests- young and old - stayed for almost the entire thing, even if the bride and groom left after a few hours.
Lately at the weddings I've attended, the older people seem to leave when the music starts and many of the others come to eat and leave, thus leaving the bride and groom with a small amount of people for the reception.
I think it depends on the couple and what they wish to do. To answer your question - I've seen it done plenty times where the bride and groom stayed maybe an hour after the cake cutting and first dances - enough time to mingle with the guest, before leaving for their honeymoon night. I'd totally understand and expect for a couple to leave kind of early if they have a late reception. The earlier the reception, the longer most couples decide to stay. After all, you only (hopefully) have one wedding day, and want to make it last as long as possible.
I agree with an earlier answer to extend your leave another hour later - especially if you have a large amount of people. This will give them enough time to talk and take pictures with you, etc.
On a side note, I did notice the receptions I've attended in the last 3 years seem to dwindle out and over not long after the bride and groom leave, compared to the ongoing raging parties of years ago after they were gone.
Years ago, I got married at 1pm, got to the reception about 45 minutes later, and left about 5pm - and we were one of the last people there. Although I was glad to enjoy every minute of it, I was exhausted. I would have welcomed an early 'getaway'. ;)
Congratulations, and best of luck with everything!
2007-01-23 16:04:43 · answer #3 · answered by The Older Woman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know anyone who has done that... The couple usually stays at the reception for a few hours. Couples usually do leave before the guests, and the guests wave them off and stuff, but then the reception tends to kinda wind down soon after - it's as if the couple leaving is a signal to the guests to "break it up". I personally would enjoy my reception to the last drop, it's my favorite part - to socialize with my friends, to dance, drink, eat and be merry. Can't even imagine putting up the reception and not getting to enjoy it. Then again, it would never occur to me to be planning a "honeymoon" immediately following the wedding and the reception... I would need a few weeks to rest! I think, it's completely up to the couple - but IMO it would feel odd if the couple "bailed" too early; people *like* having the "happy couple" there, and sharing this special day with them.
2007-01-23 16:04:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, dont leave your reception that early!
You should slip out about 45 minutes before it is scheduled to end and get changed into your going away clothes, then you go back to the reception and say your goodbyes, have your last dance and then you are out the door with the big send off.
Only in the movies do people stay past the time the bride and groom leave, in real life people say "they're gone, we might as wel go". There is no enjoyment in the reception once the couple is gone, so most people take your departure as their cue to leave.
PLUS you have spent all this time and money on this day, why wouldnt you want to enjoy every aspect of it?
Stay and enjoy your reception, I can guarantee you will regret it if you leave early.
2007-01-23 16:36:45 · answer #5 · answered by kateqd30 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditions vary depending on your area, but I think leaving the reception early (and the reception being "mainly for the guests") is a bit of a older idea. I remember reading about one wedding where, because the bride's mother insisted it was tradition that no one leave before the bride and groom (and one relative had to leave early), they only spent about half an hour with the guests.
As a guest, I would see the party as being over shortly after the bride and groom leave - I wouldn't really want to hang around and party much after that. Again though, this may be different in your area.
At my wedding, I fully intend to stay and dance for as much of the night as I can - if people want to leave before me, that's totally fine. It's our party - we're "hosting" it - and I don't see any point in leaving in the middle of it.
In the long run though, you really have to do what feels right for the two of you.
2007-01-23 15:44:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honestly!! You have the honeymoon and wedding night to celebrate with your husband alone!! When else will you have all of your friends and family all in the same place again!!
I would stay and celebrate with your family and friends. You can do the departure at the end so that you still have time to be around everyone!!
We stayed until the very end of our reception and then went out with family afterward!! I wouldn't change a thing about it!!
2007-01-23 15:32:27 · answer #7 · answered by Sandy 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
After all the planning, money, and waiting to finally be married, why on earth would you want to leave early?!?! Stay as long as you want, enjoy every minute of it, and celebrate. There is no point in having a reception if you're not going to be there, and your guests will leave once they see you're gone.
2007-01-23 16:28:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should stay all the way to the end. Hey they are all celebrating with you and you should celebrate too. My brothers all stayed until the end of their weddings and my fiance and i will be doing the same thing. It is so much fun to hang out with everyone and enjoy your night. If you leave early you wont even get to know what happend after you left. Its fun to stay. I really recomend it after the night is over you can head off to your hotel. Good luck.
2007-01-23 16:05:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the most fun at my reception. You spent a year planning for this day and you going to leave early? My husband and I stayed until about 15 minutes till the reception was done. We wouldnt have had it anyother way. Good luck
2007-01-23 15:34:43 · answer #10 · answered by Rachel C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋