Late afternoon packages

[worldwonder92]

Hi

Me and me partner are looking to book a wedding probably in 2024. I really hate the idea of a sit down meal and an all day event so I was thinking of a late afternoon wedding, maybe canapes afterwards and then a buffet on the evening. I would want the ceremony to be at the same location as the evening party ideally. All guests would come to the ceremony and evening so no need to split people into two categories.

The Windmill Village Hotel in Coventry do a "Sundown Package" where we can get married on site and have as detailed above. Does anyone know of anywhere else in the West Midlands/Staffordshire that offers anything similar as I cant seem to find much online. It may be a case I have to email potential venues and build a specific package with them.

I love the sound of this! But I'd feed people reasonably early or they'll get too pissed (if they're anything like my wedding guests). Especially if they have to travel to get there. They might not have had time to have a decent lunch.

It's quite standard in America I think, to have an evening ceremony then dinner and drinks.

Sorry, I can't recommend anywhere!

I suppose that you'd need to look at larger venues. A small wedding venue that's popular might not want to do it if they are missing out on the money from a full wedding breakfast.

I should have said that I would be looking to do this in August so wouldn't have to be a Saturday either

I guess the other alternative is I book all elements seperate as in a registry office/church and then a venue nut I was hoping to avoid this

I went to a wedding a couple of years ago at oak farm in Cannock and they did this, the buffet was served at 6pm but night guests arrived from then as well.

If your wedding starts late afternoon and goes on well into the evening then you need to feed people properly. If you’re doing that then no wedding venue should have an issue with it. We had our wedding ceremony at 4.30, followed by cocktails and canapés, then dinner at 7 which was served as a buffet but it was a really substantial one that actually ended up costing us more than if we’d done the regular plated 3 courses. I’ve been to a few weddings with similar timings so it’s definitely a done thing to start later and just serve a dinner. If you’re struggling to find a venue because you don’t want to feed your guests a full meal then I’d urge you to reconsider!

Its not a case of not feeding guests at all more a case of struggling to find venues with "pre-built" packages for a later wedding

Its not a case of not feeding guests at all more a case of struggling to find venues with "pre-built" packages for a later wedding

They're not likely to promote it much though are they, especially if it's something that is much cheaper than an all day affair.