Is my wedding rubbish?

[ATrainSeat]

Sorry, I know there’s been a couple of these but I’m interested if there’s anything I can improve so people will enjoy our wedding, or whether you’d enjoy it as it is?

3pm - get married. the whole day is all in one location and we’re wanting it to be quite relaxed.
3.30/3.45 - After the wedding there’s some small canapés and a welcome drink for everyone, not sure which drink to go for so ideas would be great for this! I’ll make sure there’s flat drinks though. I’m also considering putting a basket out with various packets of crisps in incase anyone gets hungry?
5pm - afternoon tea, including some savoury bits eg cheeseboard, small pies. Two glasses of wine or beer provided plus a toasting drink.
7.30 - evening guests arrive, possible welcome drink for them?
8pm - cut cake, first dance
8.30 - hog roast, halloumi burgers for veggies l, some sort of vegan option that I haven’t sorted yet. Large salad bits buffet to go with eg pastas, coleslaws, etc. Dessert buffet including the wedding cake but also cheesecakes, brownies etc.

Evening is a DJ, there’s two rooms so one will have the dj in, the other will have sofas for people who prefer chatting:

We’re not having any ‘entertainment’ which worries me a bit. We’re having a DIY photo/video wall but nothing else other than the DJ. The venue is about 30 mins from home, so we’ve offered to organise minibuses for people from the local town, although can’t really afford to offer free transport so would be looking at about £10 per person. What’s the verdict? Haha! I just want people to enjoy themselves and have a good time.

Oh and importantly, we haven’t asked for money (or anything) in the invitation

Is there a bar where people can buy drinks to supplement those after the ceremony and during afternoon tea? The afternoon tea would be better at 4pm

Sounds lovely, I think all these threads are freaking people out unnecessarily!

Yeah sorry there’s a bar, and we’re also doing flavoured gin as favours for an extra free drink.

Considered moving the afternoon tea earlier but wanted some time to take a few photos and say high to everyone/drink the welcome drink. We don’t want a big photo shoot or anything but doing it at 4 could give us only 15 mins between the ceremony and afternoon tea.

Say hi*

I once went to a wedding with an afternoon tea type affair, it was well intentioned but the portions were really quite small and most people who weren't looking after small children or pregnant were completely drunk by the time the evening for came and the party sort of fizzled out early as all these smashed people had to leave at 8pm. If you're going to do an afternoon tea my advice would be to make it a really substantial one

If there’s a bar then I think the timings are fine and it sounds like a good day. I wouldn’t offer to arrange the minibus, guy says can do that themselves and less hassle for you.

^guests

I think it sounds lovely, as long as there is plenty of the afternoon tea and you make all the guests get their fair share. Afternoon tea is my favourite meal.

It sounds lovely! Wedding is at 3 so I'd assume people would have had lunch before coming. Afternoon tea is an extra as there's a meal in the evening as well. Plenty of food. Sounds like you've been really thoughtful. Can I come?

I would have afternoon tea at 4.30pm at the latest but other than that sounds lovely

Agree with pp, the afternoon tea needs to stretch and be more than a nibble.

Sounds fine! Maybe go for hearty canapes and lots of them to counter a less filling afternoon tea.

Interesting you don’t mention your partner. Is the wedding more important?

People will have had lunch tho

I think the basket of crisps sounds a bit naff, but fine other than that!

I think it sounds really nice. I'd like wine as a welcome drink personally!

Id forget about the crisps but other than that it sounds lovely.

blondi

As a guest I would be disappointed with an afternooon tea.

Sounds good to me, op.

Assuming substantial sandwiches with the afternoon tea? If so, perfect.

I think five hours to wait for real food is a long time imo. I'd be starved and hitting a chip shop 🙈

It sounds fine to me. If I was going to a wedding at 3, I would make sure I ate before hand, so a top up of nibbles would see me through to the hog roast.

Sounds gorgeous! Have a fab time!

I vote for the crisps, but choose posh ones!