Some facts: - can't change the time of either
- I'm taking pictures for an hour
-ceremony and reception are at 2 different places
-most of my guest are out of towners
Does anyone have a creative idea for what my guest can do? Thanks so much!
2007-08-02 08:12:09 · 37 answers · asked by cammy_pilon 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Some facts: - can't change the time of either
-Ceremony Starts at 12 (Oct)
-Reception 4:30
- I'm taking pictures for an hour
-ceremony and reception are at 2 different places
-most of my guest are out of towners
Does anyone have a creative idea for what my guest can do? Thanks so much!
Hi! Me again! I just want to add that this isn't poor planning... I don't know if any of you have planned a wedding but if you did, you'd understand the situation. My church won't let me have another time because they have mass at 3:30pm. Please guys don't be mean! This is normal to have a few hours in between. I just wanted creative ideas so my guest have options.
2007-08-02 08:55:01 · update #1
it's in October
hopefully it will be nice fallish weather out
it's in the Hamilton region
2007-08-02 09:05:06 · update #2
My wedding was at 2:30 and reception at 5:30 at two different places. You really don't have to entertain your guests because there is really not going to be that big of a time gap in between the two. By the time you get out of your wedding and dismissing your guests it will probably be about 1:30 -2pm, your guests will be happy to go back to their hotel to freshen up or relax before your reception. The time will seem to go by quickly and you will wish you had a few more minutes to take pictures or be in the limo in between. It will all work out no sweat and no one will feel so rushed. Honestly all weddings should have this time gap, yours will be perfect. Good luck to you!
2007-08-02 08:24:14 · answer #1 · answered by Rasta 3 · 3⤊ 5⤋
I have the same situation with my daughter's wedding. (Oct.2008) The entire groom's side are from out of town and will be staying at a motel. And I'm not only concerned for the "out of towners" but for all of my guests. You're all dressed go to the ceremony for an hour then wait another 2 or so for the reception to begin. Her wedding is at 1:30, which is the very latest the church will marry on a Saturday because of mass and the reception venue will start the cocktail hour at 5:00pm..no exceptions. Now, I thought about having something for the two hours in between but that kinda makes the cocktail hour a waste. How many times and how much can people realistically eat in say an 8 hour period? So, my daughter has convinced me that, oh well, that's the way it is and unless I have a brainstorm, that's the way it'll be. I think the people screaming "poor planning" were a little too quick to do so, not to mention mean spirited. Sometimes, it's just out of your control. So, just let them go back to the motel...they'll be fine...and I agree that people would probably enjoy the time to relax before the reception, even get last minute things done. Ask the hotel where they're staying if there's a hospitality room available for the guests staying there to congregate. Really you should ask anyway so it can be reserved. It's usually of no cost and gives everyone a place to meet and talk, if they want. The time will go quickly. Good luck! Have a beautiful wedding and a long, happy marriage full of health and wealth!
2007-08-02 09:02:02 · answer #2 · answered by N0_white_flag 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually I have planned many events and weddings and I can tell you this is very poor planning. How can you expect your guests to wait around for 3 hours? That is very rude.
Don't be suprised if many of your guests do not wait around for the reception. since that is probably what will happen I would suggestion you change reception location so that you don't lose a lot of money on people who don't show up. You may lose your deposit at your currnent hall, but maybe your caterer will be willing to change venues if you explain the situation.
You really need to figure something out other than making your guests wait around. So either change where your ceremony will be or change your reception.
I'm not being mean, just honest. Otherwise it will just be you and the wedding party.
2007-08-02 15:47:59 · answer #3 · answered by Reba 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think the problem, if I understand correctly, is a place the guests can congregate for the duration. If location is not the issue several of the answers, salsa dancing, games, "how you know the bride, " etc. sound great! However, if you don't have a location...get busy now calling local restaurants, bars, etc. I'm sure there are local places that are willing to offer a good discount for a large group. Make sure to provide directions to the location.
Also, I've found that if you discuss your situation with either location wedding and reception they may have an alternate room for the guests to mingle. In wedding planning terms this is called the cocktail hour! Good luck!
2007-08-02 08:25:27 · answer #4 · answered by virginia 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Encourage them to get rooms closer to the reception, than the actual wedding, so that they can get home safer.
Or better yet have some designated drivers, just pick a groups to/from as a wedding gift to you.
I would recommend a NAP.
seriously.... let them go home and change to something fun for the reception, and see ya later.
YOU need to let them know this immediately, so they can makes some plans and don't start the reception AT 4:30
give the crowd time to build by 6:00 pm
That gives you some time to sit and eat quietly before the big events of the night. Trust me it seems like a lot of time....its really not. It will on ly be about 2-3 hours after photos and that passes very quickly.
2007-08-02 08:18:40 · answer #5 · answered by Denise W 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm assuming you've booked a block of rooms at a hotel, right? Ask the hotel about reserving a ballroom or conference room. Have a "pre-reception" there with snacks and drinks. This would be an excellent place to display pictures of you and the groom growing up, too.
Just be warned, though - That's one heck of a gap and it's really frustrating for guests. After all, are they supposed to change? Continue wearing their dress clothes for a three-and-a-half hour break? Go to their hotel room? Very frustrating as a guest. Some of your guests will get fidgety and may just go back to their hotel room. If they've been drinking all afternoon, some may come to your reception already intoxicated. And some may get tired of the party earlier than you had planned. Your reception may be over earlier than you thought.
2007-08-02 08:18:38 · answer #6 · answered by corinne1029 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
it somewhat is on no account uncommon. In some situations the area reserved for the wedding ceremony ceremony will in basic terms accommodate such a lot of persons; a great way under they could have enjoyed to have invited. In different circumstances the families choose for to maintain the incredibly ceremony very inner maximum and private. with a view to have extra of their acquaintances and kinfolk connect of their specific social accumulating they're going to invite those human beings excluded from the ceremony to the reception which often situations is waiting to house much extra human beings. in certainty, a lot of human beings could somewhat bypass the ceremony and attend the reception that's usually a good purchase extra relaxing and exciting. don't sense slighted or indignant. The chuffed couple is procuring the honour of you being modern-day on the reception. flow and have a stable time.
2016-10-09 01:54:19 · answer #7 · answered by ramswaroop 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main thing is the people will have to leave for a while. Unless you are having it at a place that they can admire for 3 to 4 hours they are going to have to leave.
Who is helping you setup for the reception. Someone can always help do that.
Are you serving food at the reception. If not you can always set up a place to let them eat.
Or you can find a place that serves something light and send them there for a snack.
That is a tough wedding.
Good Luck with everything.
2007-08-02 09:18:49 · answer #8 · answered by rae 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't have to do anything! Guests are totally used to there being hours in the afternoon free - some go shopping, some go for a rest in their hotel, some go sightseeing. It's not for you to plan anything. YOU will be very busy - at pictures, then you, your groom and the wedding party hopefully have time for a bit of a break before going to the reception. After our pics, we went to my mom's house - she had left drinks and snacks for us.
If you have cocktails scheduled for 4:30 or 5:00 and dinner at 5:30 or 6:00, everything will go fine!
Good luck!
2007-08-02 08:38:12 · answer #9 · answered by Lydia 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Make sure its open bar at the reception while they sit around for hours waiting for you. 3 hours is way too long to keep everyone waiting around. Even if you shorten your picture taking time, they can't get in the reception for hours. I would pray for nice weather so they don't roast in there cars. Maybe you could get a list of attractions around the reception place so they can sight see for a few hours. Not sure I would have planned things like this.
2007-08-02 08:17:42 · answer #10 · answered by mayihelpyou 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋