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Teatime/evening wedding

12 replies

Brideintheheadlights · 31/12/2022 13:25

We have our ceremony and reception venue booked for next year. The ceremony is booked for 1pm. We recently attended a weeding ourselves with a ceremony at the same time, and it reminded us that there is an awful lot of waiting around, and frankly for about 3 hours in the middle we were bored. It was a long tiring day and we ended up spending quite a lot of money on drinks at the bar in the afternoon. We have started talking about either moving our ceremony later in the day (which actually I think may be tricky) or actually getting married on our own with just my parents as witnesses a few days before hand, then holding our reception with a celebrant ceremony at our reception venue from around 4pm/5pm. We figure we could then dispense with much of the waiting around, then go straight on to our food (bbq) and party. We think this would also save us a fair amount of money as we will make the bbq adequate enough that we hopefully wouldn't need to provide an evening buffet in addition. What do you all think, would guests find this odd/insulting? Honest opinions appreciated, thanks!

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Whataretheodds · 31/12/2022 13:27

If that's what you want to do, do it.

Saturdaynoon · 31/12/2022 13:30

I went to a wonderful wedding at dusk in the middle of winter. It was the latest slot that was allowed, because they had to get married in daylight.

Went straight to an evening of red wine and food. It was unusual, but very memorable.

BarrelOfOtters · 31/12/2022 13:30

Ours was at 4. Meant people had time to get there. Married, had fizz and canapés during photos. So only about an hour of standing around. Then ate about 7, short speeches and disco from about 8.30. Organised a bus home for just after midnight….

UsingChangeofName · 31/12/2022 13:31

I agree that 1pm is to early if you are having an evening party.
I'd go for 3.30 or later (if ceremony and Reception in same venue).

It makes for a very long day for everyone if earlier.

Personally I'd feel sad if not able to attend the wedding ceremony though. I think that should be at the heart of the day.

jellybe · 31/12/2022 13:32

Went to a lovely wedding where they got married at about 4 then into an evening meal etc. was lovely. If you want to do this do it.

mumonthehill · 31/12/2022 13:32

We got married at 4 and it was perfect. We had drinks at the reception, a meal and dancing and it worked really well. No waiting around for guests.

Soozikinzii · 31/12/2022 13:38

A friend of mine who was manager of a big wedding venue booked his own wedding for the latest he could at the venue ie 4 pm to lead into the evening for speeches and then party . It did stick in my mind because he'd organised so many .

SeasonFinale · 31/12/2022 13:42

We went to a lovely evening wedding once on NYE. It was the ceremony at 7pm followed by a black tie dinner, speeches and then party until after midnight. It was fab.

Brideintheheadlights · 31/12/2022 13:56

@UsingChangeofName many thanks for your input. Would you still feel sad if we have a celebrant conduct a ceremony at the reception venue? (the venue doesn't have a licence for civil ceremonies). Thanks!

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surreygirl1987 · 31/12/2022 14:03

We did photos first, then got married at 2:30pm, and straight into food. Then after food there were lots of games and activities before the evening. That was better than all the waiting around. In some counties they do get married much later than that which I think makes sense. Weddings can be long and boring.

millymae · 31/12/2022 14:04

My sister had the best wedding in a local hotel.
The ceremony to which everyone was invited took place at 5.00pm. This was followed by really nice canapés and drinks while the more formal photos etc were taken and then a plentiful hot and cold buffet which had been tailored to take account of everyone's tastes.
The speeches were kept short with plenty of humour and the cake which was a fresh cream and fruit concoction was served as the dessert.
Dancing with band and disco followed and there was lovely quiet bar area where those that preferred a quieter time could sit and chat.
Everything just seemed to flow smoothly, there was no unnecessary hanging around yet no one felt rushed.

Brideintheheadlights · 04/01/2023 12:02

Thanks all for the encouragement. The latest we've been able to move the ceremony to is 3pm, but still think this will help with the boredom/standing around factor. More time to get ready panic too!

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