Hey readers! I’m back on a blogging roll and ready to share some tips and tricks for you brides and grooms out there! I attended a wedding on Labor Day weekend that made me think of guest etiquette that people don’t usually consider. It’s about the length of the break between your wedding ceremony and reception and trust me, what you choose makes a big difference.
The average break between a ceremony and the cocktail hour/reception is one to two hours. Any less is a bonus for your guests and any more can be quite the doozie. Now, I am without a doubt always down for having time for great photos but I’m not always down for a three, four or five hour break. I try to advise my clients against it because finding filler activities for that long can be quite difficult AND people start to poop out after a while, YOU and the guests!
If you’re considering a longer than average break time between your ceremony and reception, here are a list of tips to help ensure your guests don’t lose their steam:
- Provide a List of Activities. If you’re like most couples, their wedding guests come from all over the country to celebrate their special day. If you have a lot of out of town guests, be sure to share a list of activities and places they could visit during that break.
- Host an Open House. Have a lot of out of town guests? Maybe a family member or close friend would consider having an open house to entertain your guests during that time. It’d be a great way for people to start to mingle and enjoy themselves!
- Pick a Nearby Hotel. If your guests end up getting a little tired/bored during the break, it’s always nice to have planned ahead with a wedding block at a nearby hotel. Guests that are staying there can simply head back to their room to relax or take a nap!
- Consider an Earlier Cocktail. Starting a cocktail reception a little earlier with drinks and hors d’oeuvres is a nice touch for your guests. Plus, it’ll get them a little pumped and ready to start the party for when you arrive!
Now I know that some breaks are unavoidable…I’ve been to/worked a few Catholic weddings in my day so I know they have set ceremony times. But if you’re considering a long break for photos only, then I usually recommend that you get some photos in before the ceremony. Plus you’re guaranteed some great natural light at that time anyway!
So that’s that…some advice from little ol’ me. Remember to be courteous of your wedding guest, especially those from out of town! Cheer!
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