Wedding start time?

Question

I live in L.A., and will be getting married on January 19, 2008.

The church I want doesn't have the popular "3 p.m." time slot open. It's either 1:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. Personally I think 1:00 might be a little early--and have too much of a time gap for those waiting to attend the reception. But 5:00 is a bit dark....with no time for pictures and stuff, because we would be rushing off to the reception.

Keep in mind we have a lot of elderly and out of towners attending. If you were one of them, which would you prefer, 1:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.?

Answer 1

my wedding was at 1:45 pm, and the reception was at 6 pm, everybody went, and there were a lot of elderly people too from my church, look, those who really cares about you would be going to your wedding even if it is midnight...5 i think here for USA is to late, but if you have mexican family it would be all right cuz in mexico weddings are a 7 pm or 6 pm, just pick a time, where you will have time to take pictures and feel relaxed, in your wedding date you are the most important people. Or talk to the preacher, money talks, and he can make an exception. good luck

Answer 2

I prefer evening weddings. Especially if the wedding is on a Saturday. I work full-time. Saturday and Sunday are my only days off. I don't mind attending weddings, but 1pm on a Saturday is inconvenient. Basically, I would wake up in the morning and only be able to run a few of my typical Saturday errands. I would then have to rush home, change and go to the wedding mid-afternoon. The wedding would end early and I would be all dresses up with no place to go. I couldn't even run errands b/c certain stores, etc close early on the weekends.

The earlier the ceremony, the less people that might be able to attend. I know that's horrible to say. But, what about guests with kids? Saturday mornings are sports central for most families. Parents might not be able to go to such an early ceremony if someone needs to drive the kids around. Same with babysitters. Finding a sitter during the day might be difficult; especially if the sitter is grandma or auntie (who may work during the week and need saturday afternoon for errands)

5pm is a much better time. Plus, a wedding is a social occassion. So, I would prefer to see it in the evening. I would never have my own wedding before 3/4pm.

If your reception is in the evening. Go with 5pm. Don't space the two out. As for pictures, can you find a nice indoor location. Maybe do them before the ceremony?

Answer 3

I would do 1pm.
Most churches take 45mins to 1hour, then you have to allow travel time to the reception. So to start a reception at 6:30 or 7pm would probably result in your guests leaving after only a couple hours.
Many reception halls give you 4 or 5 hours. Elderly and out-of-towners might not stay much past 10pm.

Answer 4

One o'clock is MUCH better. You will go for photos after the ceremony, and you then just plan the cocktail hour for 4:30, with dinner to start 5:30.
You don't have to worry about the time gap - happens all the time! Older people go for a rest, people go shopping or tour the town; people with kids take them out to do something, or for a nap.
Just to add - With a later afternoon ceremony, if you get photos taken BEFORE you are actually married, you will always know in your heart that you two weren't actually married in the pictures. Seems like a picky thing, but it's true!

Answer 5

do the 5pm start time, but maybe do pictures beforehand. it might ruin the not seeing each other until the ceremony thing, but you can arrange a magical moment for the first meeting on the wedding day and have the photographer photograph it.

our ceremony is at 4:30 pm on January 4th, 2008. It is dark at 5, so we are starting pictures at 3 and will finish up any that we couldn't get to after the ceremony.

Answer 6

I think 1:00 p.m. is fine. We planned to start our wedding at 4:00 p.m. but it is in May so it will still be light out.

Answer 7

I would take the 5:00 start time. We did a majority of our pics before the wedding anyway so we could make it to the reception without having to take a millions pictures. 1:00 just sounds too early for me. Best of luck!

Answer 8

Ok let's say I am just a guest. I would prefer 5pm. Being a guest, I don't care what the bridal party has to do to get pictures, etc. And I don't care if it is inconvenient for anyone else but the guests, of whom I am one. I don't want a big gap with time to kill, between the ceremony and the reception.

I don't like getting up early on a weekend, getting all dressed up, then traveling. I am there to eat, have a nice time, and give the couple my generous check.

I know it sounds self-centered, but speaking as a guest, that's me. You asked, and I'm honest. The couple can do things any way they want to do it, it is their wedding.

But if things were going to be a pain for me as a guest, I would not attend. I would stay home, and keep my generous check with me.

Answer 9

First, when is your reception supposed to start? You can always have the ever popular cocktail hour in between to close the gap.

I would say 1:00pm. You can get the pictures you need, in the daylight. Also, an earlier wedding, is also cheaper on the reception. You can have lighter foods which cost less.

But all in all, it is solely up to you and your FH. What do YOU want? It is your day!

Answer 10

I would say 1 o'clock so that you can get the most out of your day. 1pm-2pm ceremony 2-3:30 pictures 4pm appetizers 5pm dinner. If you have a late ceremony, you and you're guests will be very hungry by the time dinner starts and the day will seem that it went by too fast.