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Original poster

11am-3pm

53 replies

alwayssomething1 · 07/02/2022 10:24

These are the only times we have available for our registrar. We get married in July. I'm worried 11am is too early and is going to be too much of a long day for our guests but then I'm also worried 3pm is too late. Which time would you choose? TIA :)

OP posts:
ChittyBangs · 07/02/2022 10:28

3pm would be a perfect wedding time for me as a guest.

I've been to a 11:30 one and honestly the stress on the morning, plus getting there was annoying.
Also that meant we had to hang round for ages between meal, night time etc.

3pm you'll have a nice flow to the day and not hours of breaks.

1940s · 07/02/2022 10:29

3 is perfect! The ceremony is over by 3.30/3.40 latest and then it's a nice gap to 'hang around' for the guests before a sit down meal. 11.30 means in my opinion providing two substantial meals and so much waiting until the party starts.

Inspectorslack · 07/02/2022 10:31

I would go for 3. Less stress to get out the door on time and less time hanging around before the party/meal.

minipie · 07/02/2022 10:31

We had 3pm ceremony, it was perfect. People stayed till the small hours.

TeenPlusCat · 07/02/2022 10:32

Well, we had a midday church wedding, and all done and dusted by 6pm. Sorted. Everyone could drive up and back the same day, those needing childcare only needed 1 day.

But if you want an evening party I'd go for 3pm.

RandomQuest · 07/02/2022 10:32

3pm is perfect! Presuming you’re doing a traditional reception it’ll be a nice flow from drinks and canapés into dinner and then into the evening party. And guests don’t have to rush getting ready, can have lunch before etc.

cherrytreecottage · 07/02/2022 10:34

I would also choose 3pm.

I've been to an 11am wedding and like PP said, guests have to be seated around 10.30am, with travel included, it's a really early start and then a very long day. Even with canapés, there was 4 hours until the sit down dinner so everyone ended up just standing around drinking - needless to say many people had to leave or go to bed by 9pm!!

GeneLovesJezebel · 07/02/2022 10:34

3pm is ideal.
And you only need to feed them once !

meow1989 · 07/02/2022 10:35

We got married at 10.30 - it was amazing. No waiting around nervously to get ready. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a pimms reception (different venue for ceremony and reception) with canapés, wedding breakfast at 1.30 and lawn games in the afternoon with music in the evening. Evening guests came from about 5.30. Most guests stayed beyond 11pm, including kids - we had to kick out the last few whole days after midnight!

For us it was perfect and made a whole day of it.

toastofthetown · 07/02/2022 10:36

I’d echo the 3pm advice. 11am is very early and if you are planning on having your and your bridesmaids’ and mother’s hair and makeup done, that will need to start very early or you might need two stylists.

MadisonAvenue · 07/02/2022 10:37

3pm would be ideal.
We went to an 11.30am wedding a couple of years ago and then had to hang around until 4.30pm for the meal. I’d prepared for that and had some snacks in the car though.

ohidoliketobe · 07/02/2022 10:38

It really depends what you want with your day.
We had 4pm, straight to reception venue, canapés and faffing with pictures and doing the rounds saying hi to everyone then Speeches, cake cut and first dance. Buffet food at 7pm with bacon barms and chips for those still standing at midnight. No day/ night guest lists. No waiting around all day. No overpriced mid standard 3 course meal. Bit of you want the day/ night events the 3pm ceremony won't leave much time for you to do the meal and speeches before the evening reception

SleepingStandingUp · 07/02/2022 10:38

Depends what else is planned and where.

How far are most people travelling?

Original poster
alwayssomething1 · 07/02/2022 10:47

@SleepingStandingUp

Depends what else is planned and where.

How far are most people travelling?

We have a beautiful venue booked which is about 30 minutes from the majority of our guests with many staying over night after the wedding. We have a 3 course meal with speeches planned and then the evening guests arriving for 6.30. Our ideal time would have been 1-2pm but their availability is either 11-3. We just think 11am is too early for the guests and I don't want guests leaving early on the evening because they're bored or too drunk because of the length of the day but then I'm worried 3pm is too rushed.
OP posts:
AmbushedByCake1 · 07/02/2022 10:53

3pm is perfect. You leave the guests wanting more. It will feel like it ends on a high note. Really early weddings leads to guests running out of steam too early IMO. And I've been to lots of weddings. I chose 3pm for mine and it was a good decision.

whosaidtha · 07/02/2022 10:54

Also depends what time of year? Because you want nice light for the pictures. If it's a winter wedding it will be dark by 4.
Your evening guests will have to arrive later if your meal is at 4:30/5 so they aren't hanging around while people are still eating.
We had ours at midday. I wanted to make the most of the day. It's the most special day of my life and I'd have hated waiting around until 3. That's more than half your wedding day gone. I'd definitely go 11. No questions.

Clymene · 07/02/2022 10:55

Invite the evening guests later. There's no way you'll have finished eating by 6.30

SleepingStandingUp · 07/02/2022 10:57

Is the wedding ceremony at your venue? Is that obligatory? I'd possibly look wht else is available, I do think you'd be on a very tight schedule at 3.

thisplaceisweird · 07/02/2022 10:59

3pm is perfect. If you have the venue for the whole day I would 1000% recommend doing a 'first look' photoshoot before the ceremony. That way you can still use the venue before guests are arriving, and you can capture beautiful photos of you and your husband before everything starts and it's all a blur. You then won't need to escape for photos later on, and you can do it calmly and with fresh hair and makeup. We did this and we got bridesmaids/groomsmen and even family group shots done and out of the way! The rest of the day then was just chilled with candid photos.

SleepingStandingUp · 07/02/2022 10:59

The advantage of 11 is if most people are stopping over, there a bit of kill time when they can check in etc. Just make sure there's somewhere for them to get a drink and put on nibbles of some sort

Fupoffyagrasshole · 07/02/2022 11:01

I’d go early we had ours at 11.30 - I felt you get one day so make it as long as possible 😂

We booked a local pub for 12.30 and did tea and sandwiches which passed the time for the guests until the next bit

Also we ate at 3 instead so had a sort of late lunch then we had more food come out at 7 & again at 9 (canapés and finger food) to keep people going

We still had a big gang there dancing at 2am!!!

BoodleBug51 · 07/02/2022 11:05

We went to an 11am wedding....... I cursed like an old fishwife trying to get DH, 3 DC and myself out the door by 10,30am. And the worst part was getting to the venue at 1pm to not get served the meal until 5pm. We were nearly chewing our arms off in hunger as we'd only had breakfast. Worst day we've ever had, and our DC were miserable.

I now make sure that I always take a huge array of snacks/protein bars/drinks for any such occasions.

JadeSeahorse · 07/02/2022 11:08

We had a church ceremony at 3.30pm. Our reception venue was a beautiful hotel 20 mins drive from the church. We took several photos at the church and then took several in the hotel grounds. Meal was at 5.30pm and evening guests started to arrive at 7.30pm. Timing was perfect! Nothing was rushed but no waiting around for anyone either.

CMOTDibbler · 07/02/2022 11:08

3pm ceremony, 5pm meal, evening guests at 7.30 - perfect. Everyone gets to eat lunch before arriving, not a lot of hanging around in between either.

NaerDoWell · 07/02/2022 11:13

Definitely a 3pm ceremony. I think many guests don't want a really long day - although I'm sure many B&Gs do- so 3pm is ideal.

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