Would you mind telling me what you think of my plan?

[daisygatsby]

I started this thread in Chat looking for ideas, then thought id better come over here. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1511445-wedding-inspiration-pls

Ceremony 3.30
Champagne/Nibbles - 4pm
Speeches - 5.30
Dinner - 6pm
Bar/music - 8pm (whenever food finishes)

what do you think? i was trying to think of something to do fbetween ceremony and speeches but maybe not? also, i think its good to get speeches out of the way but someone over on chat said definitely not.

what do you think? what did you do/ will you do?

I think it's a great idea. It's up to you at the end of the day!
I'm planning on something similar - 3pm wedding, 4.30 cream tea, champers, speeches etc, then party from 7 & buffet 8pm. More informal and relaxed, and we can afford this!

Presuming it is all in the same building ?

Are you having formal photos ? - will this be while the nibbles are going on ?

I've been to a couple of weddings where they did the speeches before the meal and they fell fairly flat at both, tbh. Once everyone has had the meal and the wine they are feeling much more relaxed and comfortable and are much more receptive to any bad jokes or funny stories, or, tbh, the groom just standing up and saying "My wife and I...."
That said, apparently our best man was so nervous, he didn't really eat hardly any of his meal, and was starving until the evening buffet came out, so, each to their own .

IMO speeches are better after the meal. It's the structure people are used to and as BackforGood said, they always go down better when everyone has eaten and had chance to get a bit sozzled relax. Its a bit hard on the best man but that's what he signed up for.

I also think speeches work much better in the format of people sitting around dinner tables rather than someone standing up in front of an assembled group.

I was at a wedding yesterday which flowed beautifully time-wise.

1.00 Ceremony
2.00 Arrival at reception venue, canapes & champagne served during which time the formal photos were taken. There was also a piper playing.
4.00 dinner
5.30 speeches
6.00 Cake cutting
7.00 First Dance followed by disco
9.00 buffet

Below is what I'm planning for my wedding (single venue)

2.00 Guests arrive for ceremony (will probably start at 2.15)
3.00 Champagne & canapes, garden games and live music. It will be during this time we will have group photos taken, max. 1/2 hour.
5.00 BBQ
6.00 Speeches
6.30/45 Cake cutting
7.00 Tea & cake
8.00 First Dance followed by disco
9.30-10 Cheese & cold meat buffet