What 2 Do W/ Guests Btw Ceremony&Reception?
HELP! we are having our ceremony from 1-2pm and a reception starting at 6pm...my question is: what should we do or have our guests go in between that time? is it rude to have such a long lag time in between the ceremony. My fiance and i would like to have enough time to take pictures with the professional photographer which will only be around that day. Thank you for your replies!!!!
Posted by jay; updated 10/04/03
Reply
Jay, unless the reception requires a good amount of travel... Or the reception is more of casual, laid-back party ... I`m afraid that you may lose a number of your guests who attended the ceremony. I`ve seen weddings in which the reception was 4 hours later, but in most of those cases, the reception was more of a "back yard picnic" that allowed guests to go home, change and do other things before coming back to the reception.
I don`t know what to say that you can do with your guests. Having another activity between 2 and 6 PM makes for a long day for them... Considering that the reception is 3 - 5 hours, depending on what part of the country you live.
Is it too late to reschedule the reception?
Posted by Dee; updated 10/05/03
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I don`t think that you`ll lose too many guests for the reception. If most of your guests live in town, they will probably go home and change into their evening wear anyway. I doubt they were planning to wear formal cocktail style dresses to a 1pm wedding. If you have out of town guests they are not going to miss the reception after having flown down just for your wedding. They will probably go back to their hotel, freshen up and see you back at the reception. I wouldn`t worry about it too much. Most people will probably even be glad to have the break in between.
Posted by Margie; updated 10/05/03
Reply
I think that you`ll lose some guests. 4 hours is a significant break. Unless you keep them occupied (out of town guests will not want to go languish in a hotel room for several hours). I would prepare a scavanger hunt. Get them to find several items (as a bonus - the winners can take home the centerpieces). I would suggest:
A city map
(wedding colour) lifesaver
Mcdonalds Fry container
Piece of Straw
A shell
A Lable from a bottle of locally made wine
A Gas Station reciept
A mini golf scorecard
A Banana
A brochure for a Local Attraction
An Empty box of fruit loops
(anything else quirky and fun)
This not only keeps them occupied, but you can divide them into teams (make sure to mix out of town guests with locals) and everyone gets to know each other. This also allows the out of towners a little tour of your city/town.
Hope this helps
Sarah
Posted by Sarah; updated 10/05/03
