We are getting married on Saturday. Our wedding reception is going until midnight. Are we required to stay to the very end, or can we leave early, like around 11-11:30, so we can start our private night back at the hotel? You only get one wedding night (at least, we are planning on this being the only one), so it would be nice to have enough energy to enjoy it.
2007-07-02 04:03:41 · 31 answers · asked by Derek N 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
not only is it ok but its expected !!! most couples dont stay for the entire reception most leave an hour or so early and their guests usually see them off its perfectly acceptable and completely normal
2007-07-02 04:09:59 · answer #1 · answered by sweet_sour6202 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Weddings are not like they are on TV, when the bride and grrom leave the party will break up, it will not continue after you leave as they seem to always do in the movies. You are the main event and when you have gone so will your guests.
Just like you only get one wedding night you also only get one actual wedding, you have paid for the party to go on, I think you would find it would be a mistake to leave the party early.
A tip though for a more traditional option, slip away about 45 minutes before the reception ends and change into your "going away" clothes. Then return to the party for your last dance and to say good bye to your guests. If you slip away without big fanfare the party will continue while you take a few moments alone together to change and giggle about being newlyweds all alone. But if you make a big deal about leaving people will take that as their cue to leave, so you seriously just want to quietly slip away to change.
BTW, I'm sorry to tell you that no matter what you will be too tired to really enjoy that first night together. A while ago there was a thread about the wedding night and just about everyone said the same thing, they were too exhausted. Some did it because they felt obligated to because it was their wedding night, but alot just decided to pass out and save it for the next morning and night of their honeymoon. We had a late morning/early afternoon wedding and recption and by 3 pm when it was all over the last thing we wanted to do was have sex we were so tired from all the stress of the last 2 years that was finally released as soon as we stepped on that elevator to go to our room, we just laid down and slept.
Stay and enjoy your party, your honeymoon wont start until the next day.
2007-07-02 04:33:54 · answer #2 · answered by kateqd30 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not only is it ok, it is good manners. Traditionally the Bride and Groom soon after all the events have finished will change clothes and give a thank you for coming speech letting your guest know that the party will continue and you wish them all well then on to a grand exit. Having the guests usher you out with tossing of rice, flowers or sparklers if it is an evening wedding, this will give you night a proper closing.
The last thing I like to see as a wedding photographer is the Bride and Groom stuck with clean up duty at the end of the night. If there is no clear end to the event it just drags on till the last man is standing your guests are left feeling awkward not knowing when is the proper time to make their exit.
Make sure the best man and bridesmaids are left in charge of any clothing and gifts that you may leave behind and take your leave.
2007-07-02 04:27:20 · answer #3 · answered by Sierra Bride 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is definitely okay to leave a little early. Every wedding I have been to, the couple has left before the reception is completely over. They generally head out about a half an hour before the reception ends. The dj announces the last dance of the couple and everyone gathers to watch. Everyone cheers as they leave and while people may begin to dip out after that, plenty of people will continue to socialize and dance until the very end.
Good luck!
2007-07-02 06:11:18 · answer #4 · answered by curious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's perfectly acceptable to leave by 3:30. Is the wedding over at 3:30, or the reception? If it's just the wedding then you need to make it to the reception, if it's the reception then leave! I was just in a wedding. The bridesmaid. Most of the bridesmaids left with hours left. I stuck around, just cause I wanted to. There is no reason for you to stay. Once the wedding party dances are over then there is no obligation to stay...most people leave after the food and cake anyway, unless they are party animals. Go ahead and leave, that's some crazy bull if she expects you to stay. Guaranteed if you leave at 3:30 you won't be the first bridesmaid to leave.
2016-05-21 02:08:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally, the bride and groom used to leave as soon as the bouquet and garter were tossed. That could easily be as much as two hours before the party ended. It was also the cue that it was no longer impolite for guests to go home.
Over the last thirty years or so, it's become more and more popular for the bridal couple to be the last dogs hung at the reception, but it's still in no way impolite for you and your bride to go enjoy your wedding night.
I think your guests will understand.
2007-07-02 04:17:37 · answer #6 · answered by gileswench 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with leaving a little early. Most people will understand why. There have been several occasions when the bride and groom left early, because some of them have actually had a flight out the same night for their honeymoon.
2007-07-02 04:12:09 · answer #7 · answered by Important 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had friends who left early and it worked well...they didn't have anyone throw rice or rose petals or anything like that, they just sent the guests on to the reception from the church while the bridal party did pictures...so, when they left the reception, they had everyone light sparklers and line up to say goodbye...so cute and fun!
I stayed the whole time at my reception and it was great too...we stayed til midnight and still had plenty of energy...its all about adreniline at that point :)
2007-07-02 07:24:51 · answer #8 · answered by its about time 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While you can leave early, I'll bet you won't want to. This is also your only wedding reception (hopefully), and it costs so much, and so many people are there who will want to say good-bye and wish you well. Since it's just another half hour or so, just stay till the end. Believe me, you'll have enough energy afterward to have a proper honeymoon night too !!!
2007-07-02 04:29:40 · answer #9 · answered by Tweety 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are the bride and groom, do it how you want. It is not necessary for you to stay til the very end. My future hubby and I are having our wedding at 4:30 and plan on staying til 7 although the place is booked til 8.
2007-07-02 04:55:58 · answer #10 · answered by Candie B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is okay for you to leave early. After the wedding and reception, you may just feel like passing out, on your wedding night. I've heard this a lot. But, hey, best wishes to you both.
2007-07-02 04:15:33 · answer #11 · answered by non o u biznis 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋