Does this order of the day sound ok?

[ImInStealthMode]

I'm ordering printed orders of the day from Vistaprint and their 40% off sale finishes today! Need some views on whether our timings sound right?

2pm : Ceremony (I'll probably be 10 minutes late as it tradition!)

3pm : Fizz, Photos & Canapes (guests encouraged to explore our venue which is a lovely landscaped attraction if they'd like)

4.30pm : Speeches

5pm : Food (2 course buffet)

6.30pm : First Dance

9pm : Cheese & Biscuits (we're having a 'cheese' cake rather than a normal wedding cake)

11pm : Finish

Thanks!

I would bring the cheese forward at least an hour, 9pm is very late to eat cheese (heartburn!)

I echo the other posters who have said that speeches after the meal are far better for the guests. Everyone is happier, relaxed and settled, rather than being hungry and a bit impatient.

The first dance seems very early to me. It usually starts off the dancing, and I can't imagine a dance floor filling up that early, but you know your guests better than I do.

Is the food in the evening just going to be cheese and biscuits or will there be other options? I know a few cheese haters (not vegan or lactose intolerant so wouldn't be a dietary requirement you'd be aware of) who would only be able to have crackers. In my expense simple hot food seems to go down best in in the evening. Things like bacon rolls, pizza, fish and chip cones that can quickly be grabbed and eaten while walking around. Everyone taking cheese and biscuits can take a while too.

We didn't bother printing our order of the day; the timings were on our website if people cared to look and (as with your wedding) it's the ususal things in the usual order so people kind of know what to expect anyway.

I'm aware I sound negative, none of what I've mentioned is a huge problem but just as you asked. Hope you have a lovely day

All sounds good but check with speech givers about their timing. We did 2 speeches before dinner and one after according to speech-givers preferences. That worked well so is an option. The other thing that was good was to have other people (ushers etc) knowing and sorting timing as it's so easy for you plus guests to get caught up in what's going on. My cousin announced dinner and a few other things which was really helpful as he has a loud voice and everyone obeyed him and sat down! If you can find someone like that to keep on top of timings it can be helpful (without sounding too school teacher like!).

Thank you wise MNetters,

So we've brought the food forward, pushed the speeches and first dance back, and moved the cheese to 8.30, on account of the heartburn.

We're meeting the venue again in Feb so will see what they can suggest for none cheese-eaters (although knowing our guests, there aren't many).

11pm is finish but actually we have to be clear of the venue at 11, so it'll be more like 10.40/10.45 when we start shimmying people toward the coach.

Speeches should come after food, or after the first course at least. At the end of the meal while everyone is still sat at the tables. Agree cheese and biscuits should be earlier too, 8pm maybe.

Sounds great. I was also going to say speeches after food but think it works before if they’re fairly short.
Maybe add something at the end to round off the day. We did sparklers at 11pm and the photos were lovely, or fireworks if you’re feeling stush.

Totally disagree with speeches after! We did speeches before, again due to nerves of my husband and the best man. Yes, you're making a fun day for your guests, but make sure you can enjoy it too - if you have nervous speakers they won't be able to relax through dinner at all

@StruggleStreet We can't have anything fire / firework related because of the animals at the venue. I'll have a think about what else we could do though. Nice idea.

[quote ImInStealthMode]@StruggleStreet We can't have anything fire / firework related because of the animals at the venue. I'll have a think about what else we could do though. Nice idea. [/quote]
We had lots of leftover confetti at our wedding so there was another spontaneous confetti throw at the end of the night.

That's a nice idea @toastofthetown. I'm making my own confetti so I know it's not treated with anything that can't be consumed (the animals again) so I'm only limited by the amount of petals I dry!

Personally I think dinner to first dance is too short. Depends on amount of guests but I would make first dance at 7/ 7.30. By the time guests have eaten, then stretched their legs/ bathroom breaks etc you'll be rushing to do the music and dance!
Everything else sounds lovely.

Speeches before dinner is better especially if you're pressed for time and those giving speeches are nervous. Will the dancing be in the same room as the meal as the venue may require time to clear the room?

Have you sorted entertainment for guests. 1.5 hours on photos is a lonnnnng time.

@Fritilleries

Have you sorted entertainment for guests. 1.5 hours on photos is a lonnnnng time.

Yep there'll be acoustic music supplied by a few of the guests and DP's brother (they're all musicians, as is DP).

Also, there are lemurs 50m away from the reception area, a butterfly house 100m away and all manner of other animals a bit further than that. If that doesn't entertain they're welcome to skip the ceremony and just turn up to eat

(We've adjusted the schedule now thanks to feedback and it's gone to print, so no going back now).

That's a lovely location then, I only commented as I did as there's nowt worse than milling around waiting to be fed.

@Fritilleries

That's a lovely location then, I only commented as I did as there's nowt worse than milling around waiting to be fed.

Thanks

We didn't want the ceremony to be any later than 2 and it was either a bit of a gap between ceremony and meal, or a very long evening stretching out after the meal.

Personally my least favourite bit of a wedding is when you're tired and danced out and a bit drunk and ready for bed but still have hours to go. I don't mind the welcome drink/canapé/mingling bit.

Is it really tradition to be 10 mins late ? 🙊 I'm getting married in 2 months & everyone knows I'm always early for everything 😂 do ppl expect brides to be late ? 😬😂

Disagree with speeches after food. A lot of speakers prefer before food so they can then relax! Nothing worse than not enjoying your feel as you’re worrying about the speeches. Sir prople down give them bread and wine, speeches done, then everyone relaxes and enjoys the meal.

Not enjoying your meal 😊 not feel 🤣

@Matbest

Speeches should come after food, or after the first course at least. At the end of the meal while everyone is still sat at the tables. Agree cheese and biscuits should be earlier too, 8pm maybe.

Apparently speeches first is a more modern thing. I was chatting with my caterer only yesterday. Apparently so the groom doesn't feel too nervous for the speech during the meal.

Ours will be afterwards

Civil ceremonies are usually only about 20mins long - have they told you it will be an hour?

Also, how many orders of the day do you need? I didn't have any at all. Might be handy to have one up next to the table plan at a push.