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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:

burnoutbabe · 07/02/2022 11:13

3pm is best.

I assume guests can check in from say 2pm? so that gives people time to arrive/check in and change into finery before going to wedding.

11am means they have to either have hotel for another night, or travel wearing their best clothes and hang around with their overnight bags (not everyone drives and has a car to store stuff in)

wonderlust07 · 07/02/2022 11:15

I think 3pm would be perfect in July.

We are getting married in November and could have either 10am (too early), 12- noon or 3pm (too dark in Nov). Ideally we would have wanted like 1:30pm. We had to pick noon but it will give us more hours of daylight!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 07/02/2022 11:15

As above, 3pm.

Ceremony at 3
Drinks, photos at 4
Sit down 4.45
Meal 5
Speeches 6.30
Vacate room for them to reset for evening at 7
7.30 evening starts

TurdCrapley · 07/02/2022 11:16

We got married at 3pm, worked perfectly. Had photos then dinner, speeches etc. Means people have had lunch beforehand and they're not too hungry.

Change123today · 07/02/2022 11:17

I’ve been to an early wedding - a lot of hanging around & hungry!!! The meal wasn’t till 3pm and we all got there around 1/1:30. The bridal party were off having photos done. We were offered a glass of bubbly and light bites!! It wasn’t enough by the time we got to the sit down meal we didn’t actually eat till 4 then the speeches etc - felt very very dragged out!

3 pm wedding worked out a lot easier for guests (I think it was more rushed for photos) but much more engaging and when the bridal party walked in, we where all still there rather than spread our trying to keep us entertained (the earlier wedding people had gone off to the local McDonald’s so missed the arrival)

Depends on where you having it and where you want the photos done (the early wedding went to the beach so where gone for hours!) so you should make the decision on what you want out of the day.

You’ll have a lovely day whatever :)

PurBal · 07/02/2022 11:17

We got married at 11am. Best decision I made as we had the entire day with family and friends. But I did provide both a shit load of food (snacks, lunch, snacks, cake, dinner, snacks).

Doidontimmm · 07/02/2022 11:34

Can you find a different registrar?

Original poster

alwayssomething1 · 07/02/2022 11:49

@Doidontimmm

Can you find a different registrar?

How do I do this please? The ones we've been given to go through is our local council. x

OP posts:

Doidontimmm · 07/02/2022 11:51

Maybe it’s different here in Scotland but I found a local celebrant?

ilovemyboys3 · 07/02/2022 12:00

If you cannot find another registrar then go with 3pm. 11 is far too early for you and guests.
We went to a wedding at the weekend and it was a 2pm wedding; which was delayed due to the registrar until 2:30. Sit down meal was 4pm followed by speeches etc and evening guests arrived from 7:30. It flowed well and there wasn't all the hanging around for the guests.

narcdad · 07/02/2022 17:22

3pm is perfect, anything earlier than 2pm makes the day too long. What time would you like op?

CraftyGin · 07/02/2022 17:23

3pm is traditional

Hoolihan · 07/02/2022 17:25

We had ours at 3pm, was perfect. I can't stand long weddings with loads of hanging around.

ugifletzet · 08/02/2022 09:16

3pm. We're getting married at 2.30 and I was worried about the same thing, but now I'm glad about it. You can have a more relaxed time to get ready, there'll be less standing about at various points in the day, and it will be easier on your guests, especially those travelling from a distance.

smooshraspberry · 08/02/2022 09:19

Alternatively could you do a register office wedding the day before (just you and two witnesses) and then have a celebrant the next day at the time of your choosing?

ilovemyboys3 · 08/02/2022 09:35

@smooshraspberry

Alternatively could you do a register office wedding the day before (just you and two witnesses) and then have a celebrant the next day at the time of your choosing?

Seems little point in a wedding day with all friends and family if your gone and got married the day before?

BaronessBomburst · 08/02/2022 09:39

Definitely 3pm. From a guest's point of view wedding days go on far too long.
I had a small ceremony and a lunch and got married at 11:30. That was too early so definitely don't go for 11am.

easterdaffsx · 09/02/2022 13:15

We're going for 4/4.30 so we can a relaxing morning getting ready.
Only one meal amd sitting down at 6.30 but no formal photos
First dance 9pm
Cheese and port 10pm
All guests invited so no faff with evening invites

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/02/2022 14:38

Got to say my heart would sink a bit at an 11am wedding.

fingersdoublecrossed · 12/02/2022 15:14

We're going even later and our ceremony will be at 5pm on a Saturday. Reception is at the same venue though, so no travel between. Our guests can check in at 2pm and relax a bit before it starts. We're going to have pre-drinks and canapés at 4pm though, I think.
Quick photos, no speeches, big 3/4 course sit down meal for everyone, then party.

BurbageBrook · 12/02/2022 15:15

3pm is a great time. 11 is far too early.

M0rT · 12/02/2022 15:21

3pm is good from a guests perspective, just make sure to move your evening invite a bit later so you've definitely finished the meal when they arrive.
You could also do a lot of your photos before the ceremony if your using a photographer?
Will save a lot of time and help the day flow better for guests.
I went to a 4pm wedding once and it was one of the best weddings I've been to, way less rushed getting ready and no hanging around between ceremony and meal.

L40Postcode · 12/02/2022 15:24

then the evening guests arriving for 6.30

Surely nobody actually turns up for an evening do at 6.30? I’d assume it was a typo on the invite tbh.

3pm wedding then a 7.30-8pm arrival for evening guests is perfect timing.

User82517 · 12/02/2022 22:11

My sister works at a registry office and from what she tells me, you're probably lucky to have been offered sensible times for a wedding 5 months away. They've had so many weddings postponed over the last 2 years that they are packed out this summer and she's going to be working most weekends this summer. I'd go for 3pm.

Madwife123 · 13/02/2022 00:55

3pm will be perfect!

Mine is booked for 2pm and here is my timeline. They could easily be moved back and hour or cut shorter to fit a 3pm timeline.

2pm - ceremony
2.30 - 4.30 - drinks reception and photos
5pm - meal served
7pm - evening guests arrive

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