Worried about gap between service and reception!

[Confused19831983]

So - our wedding ceremony is at 4pm in a church.

We have been told that it’s likely to take around 45mins.

Our reception venue is opposite the church. The area is coastal and very scenic.

The problem is the reception venue won’t officially become available until 6.30pm. There is a terrace area which we should be able to access before then, but or course the weather could be terrible and I am not sure if it will be possible to serve drinks (need to check).

We are getting married in early June.

I am really worried guests will be bored, hungry, cold and want a drink in the interim.

I was thinking about getting a drinks van to the scene, but no idea of costs or if I would need it to get permission from council. There’s a huge car park and grassy area close to the church.

Just wondered what other people have done, or would you be pissed off at this if you were a guest?

I am also arranging for drinks and snacks at a pub very close to the venue before the church service for those that want them.

Thank you so much lovely mumsnetters in advance. X

I went to a wedding years ago where we walked across the park from the church to the venue and when we arrived had to stand outside for forty minutes with no drinks or access to toilets.

it was a boiling hot day, nowhere to sit and absolutely no shade. When we were eventually given our one mimosa and three canapes it felt very inadequate.

I have no idea if the bride and groom were aware of the situation but it was a dreadful guest experience.

you’re going to need to come up with a plan

I would be concerned too, you really need somewhere for people to go for 1.5h they’re going to need drinks & access to toilets.
Also could rain or be really hot, neither of which are ideal for standing around outside.
I’d probably be annoyed if I was a guest

Can you have a drinks reception in the church to fill the gap. It would enable those who aren't coming to the main reception to join in the celebration too.
You'd need to get an alcohol license.

@Confused19831983 They should limit day bookings to accommodate you! If last booking is 4.00 pm, they should make it 3.00 pm and be cleared away ready for you. They can easily do this and no one with a church wedding starts later than 4 pm. How much do they see themselves as a wedding venue?

Thanks everyone.

So, the evening venue is a restaurant during the day.

It will be an informal reception. No seating plan, and a buffet meal.

There will be speeches, a DJ and dancing.

Due to the nature of the venue, it is not expensive, and therefore allows us to have more guests than we would otherwise be able to afford.

It is also in an absolutely beautiful location, with stunning views. We are lucky enough to
live nearby.

It is a very good suggestion to make sure the pub is available in between the ceremony and the reception, and to scrap the before bit.

My main concern in all of this is that people have a good time.

We hope to speak to the reception venue asap to find out exactly what the situation is.

We haven’t sent the formal invites out yet so still time to rearrange the reception if we need to.

I really, really want the guests to enjoy themselves and not have to worry about anything.

@spoodlesI will check if we can push ceremony back but we were told 4pm was their latest slot.

Is there a church hall next to the church?

Definitely investigate. I think the pub would be the next best idea personally but that's still not ideal as it's a lot of trekking from place to place but at least it would have toilets and your guests would be able to sit down indoors.

@mrsmoastytoastythere isn’t unfortunately. The pub is 0.4 of a mile from the church. Is this too far for people to walk, I wonder? I could have some cars standing by for elderly guests.

@spoodlesI am also becoming convinced pub is best idea 👍

I have never known a church service to start later than 4pm.

If you request 4 hymns, have lengthy processional and recessional music, two readings and the 1662 service from the Book of Common Prayer, that should string it out to an hour.

Chatting 10 mins before photos. 25 to 30 minutes for photo's. 5.30.

Can the restaurant serve fizz outside whilst the receiving line takes place and have a few canapes to hand? If so, it's doable.

I've seen you live nearby. Do most of your guests too? If so some might use the time to check on pets/ pop home between the service and the reception. If you let your guests know in advance, for some it might mean they are not paying or arranging for someone to pop in and let fido out for a wee as they will be able to pop home between service and reception, especially if they are not close family so not likely to be in many of the photos.

If the church won't let you push back, is there any flexibility from the venue? It seems strange that they wouldn't open say an hour earlier for a wedding (likely a big money maker). Unless they have a very big booking in the afternoon which they cannot cancel. I would ask the venue what their plan in bad weather is? If they have had wedding bookings beforehand, surely there is a backup plan somewhere. I doubt anyone has been happy to sit out on the terrace in the pouring rain.

If not definitely explore the pub option. They may be willing to do you drinks and nibbles.

You could maybe do photos then head over to the pub for drinks and nibbles before heading to the reception.

Tbh, I personally would keep exploring other venues as well to see if anyone can make your day a bit easier.

Does the church have a hall that you could have some drinks in after the ceremony?

Just seen your update about distance from church to pub. It is a lot of treking about, especially in heels and wedding attire.

I would really push back against the reception venue about their opening time. You are likely a large booking and I'm guessing basically a private hire? They really could get the staffing in and open an hour earlier for drinks (even if the chef doesn't start until later and food is still the same time as originally planned). Unless they have some private hire or incredibly large booking that day already booked in, I highly doubt closing to the public at 4.30 instead of 5.30 would make a huge difference to takings. If not ask their wet weather plans and is there any "function room/ private hire" space they could let you have for a couple of hours if they really don't want to close to the public.

I would also explore other venues that could accommodate you. As you are more "sit down meal in restaurant" rather than whole hog wedding, you might find pubs and other restaurants are willing to host you and likely be more flexible for you.

If you are really set on this venue the PP's recommendation for church hall (especially if attached or on site or just a short walk down the road) would be a good shout. You might need to set it up though which would need to be someone's job. before the service.

I think you’ve got this the wrong way around.

Drinks and nibbles before the ceremony really isn’t necessary. People are getting ready, or travelling.

Feed and water them after the ceremony.

If I had to hang around for more than an hour and a half after the wedding with no guarantee shelter, toilet, food or water I’d be really unimpressed.

What do people do if it rains ?
What do they do if they can’t stand for over an hour ?
What if they need the toilet ?
What if it is really hot and there is no shade ?
You really need to change to a more accommodating venue and have fewer guests if you care about your guests.

We went to a church wedding where they served fizz in the actual church after the ceremony. While the church photos were taken. Might that be an option?

I am very grateful to the posters who mentioned a church hall as I am mistaken and the church does actually have one. If we are able to have drinks and snacks in there ahead of the reception, the problem is solved. Hoping to get an answer from the church soon.

@NortyTortyAm hoping this is possible, either in church or church hall. 🤞🤞🤞

I am so relieved. The church have been very accommodating. It is both an option to have the service later and / or have access to the church hall.
Thank you very much everyone for your suggestions

"Across the road"

That's a relief OP.
Nearly half a mile between the church (with its hall) and the reception venue tho? Where will people park?

Will they be able to park at the church and park at the venue? Or will they have to walk from one to the other and back again ?

@laistethe reception venue is literally across the road from church. The place that’s 0.4miles away is somewhere else I was considering for the gap and also where I might arrange for people to have drinks before the service, if they would like to.

Ohhhh. Ah you're all right then and all sorted 👍👍💐