I have a choice of a 12pm ceremony or a 6 pm ceremony for my wedding.. which would you choose and why?

Question

As a second option there is a 3pm elsewhere on a different date and location. The church is not my favorite though.

Its a saturday.. :)
also would you have an open bar at your wedding if you are on a budget just to avoid the cash bar issue or do a 2 ticket drink option (wine will be served w dinner no matter what)

I think we may go with the 6pm!! It has so many better options for us. I called the church and left a msg to switch to the 6pm. No rushing in the morning, time for separate pics in the aft., no 5 hr time gap for dinner for our guests especially since quite a few will be out of town. Thanks everyone!!! Amazing responses!! Love Yahoo answers ehhehehe

Answer 1

I would prefer the 6pm that way you have all day to get ready and not feel rushed

Answer 2

It depends on what time you are doing the reception. I think it's AWFUL when the ceremony is in the early afternoon, but the reception isn't until the evening (seen this several times in recent years). The guests are dressed up with nowhere to go for hours. Since you're interested in a bar, it sounds like you want an evening reception, for which a 6 p.m. ceremony makes sense. (Since people are talking about cash bars ... I don't like cash bars -- it would be better to have no bar at all. You should provide what you can afford and be unapologetic about it. If you can't make a hosted bar fit within your budget parameters skip it, and don't look back. Find other ways to make your guests feel welcome. I went to a lovely wedding where the bride and groom had punch, cake, and homemade desserts because their finances didn't permit more. Nobody grumbled about the absence of a bar, and it would have been extremely poor taste if they had.)

That said, you can substantially cut costs if you do a daytime wedding. Lunch menus are often significantly less expensive than dinner menus. If you do a lunch, the absence of a bar (and maybe serving beer and wine instead) will be less obvious. Also, consider what you want in photographs. If you are in a setting where you will get better pictures in full daylight, the afternoon ceremony might be a better choice.

Congrats, and best wishes!

Answer 3

I would go with 6 p.m. You will have plenty of time to get ready beforehand, and then you can party into the night :)

The only concern might be feeding the guests - you probably won't want a full meal, because it will be 7:00 or so by the time they get to the reception. Hors d'oeuvres maybe? (if you choose that, be sure to say something like "Reception with light hors d'eouvres to follow ceremony.")

As for the bar, many of the weddings I've been involved with have had an open beer/wine bar, but no liquor (or cash for liquor).

Good luck!

Answer 4

I'd choose 12 PM that way it would be easier for guests to find a sitter and because day time weddings are awesome (you also dont have to serve the heavy meal and can save big on food buy doing appitizers or a ight buffett.)

Have a cash bar, it's not tacky no matter what anyone says. Every single wedding I have ever been to has been cash bar. It is way too expensive to have open bar, and a little dangerous too....unless you do the ticket thing.m(but then that is telling your guests you dont trust them to use their own good judgement.)

Answer 5

I like the 3pm that when i am getting married then its not over till 9pm or so but if you don't like the church then go with the 6pm I always like evening receptions and if money is tight do the 2 ticket thing cash bar always seems tacky to me and then you need to let people know so they can bring money for drinks and that may effect what gifts you get

Answer 6

I would chose 6pm, because that leaves the whole day for people to sleep in a little bit, do some errands quick, and get to the ceremony.

As for alcohol it is up to you and your budget. If you have the money do an open bar for the first hour or two, be sure to close any bar down at least an hour or two early to have your guests sober up! If you don't have the money you don't have to have alcohol at all, perhaps just a champagne toast.

Answer 7

3 PM is ideal, but if you really like the 1st place, go with the 6 PM. I don't like weddings that are earlier in the day because I feel rushed to get ready and it basically takes up the whole day. If you have a wedding that is later, your guests (and you) have all day to themselves. People treasure their time off.

Another reason i like the 6 o'clock idea is because of daylight. I can't stand going to daytime weddings because no one dances. They are so boring. People don't like to drink and cut loose until its dark out. Every daytime wedding I've been too has been boring. Every evening wedding I've been to has been a blast.

One more thing, just my personal opinion, evening weddings are so much more intimate and romantic:)

I just read your additional details...

The concept of an open bar is regional. I live in NJ and have been to probably 30-40 weddings with my husband (not exagerating). I've only been to ONE wedding that was a cash bar and EVERYONE complained. Everyone does an open bar here. It's considered rude to do a cash bar! Sorry!

Answer 8

12 pm., then you can have lots of time to get your photos done after. You could plan cocktails for 4:30, dinner for 5:30. People always like to have some time between the ceremony and the reception - and by having dinner a bit earlier, it won't be too long. Bite the bullet, and just have a full open bar, it REALLY isn't that much more expensive, and it's just polite to totally host your guests.
The problem with a 6 pm. wedding, is that having dinner at 8 p.m. just isn't that great idea for both the younger and older guests. Then there's less time for dancing, as well, because that wouldn't get underway til at least 9:30 or so.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I agree with Kelly. It depends on what day of the week it is. Early on a Sunday. But definitely late on a Friday or Saturday. It also deends on if your serving a meal. If you want a dinner reception it wont do to have a 12 ceremony with hours between the wedding and the reception.

Answer 10

What day of the week is it? If it's a Sunday I'd say 12pm because since most people have to work the next day, the reception would be over early enough.
If it's a Saturday then go for the 6pm and party into the night!!
Good luck!

Answer 11

definitely go for your favourite church....the time is less important!!

i personally would go for the 6pm one (although in england i don't think the wedding counts unless it's registered before 6pm!!)

i think evening weddings are beautiful as you can introduce candlelight and fairy lights making the wedding more magical..

also for me not being too fussed about big parties i would rather start late and get rid of everyone sooner!! awful i know..

however.. depending on how sunny it still is the photographs could be a little dark..

a big plus is that you can have a lie in and a good beauty sleep along with plenty of time to get ready before your big day..

have a lovely wedding which ever time you choose

Jess xx