Ceremony/Reception time? Help!

[kristy1980]

So I made the decision to have my ceremony at 11am and then a reception in the evening. I thought this might be a good idea for a few reasons - guests would have the afternoon to do whatever they wanted while we had our pictures done etc., 11am would be a little less warm than an afternoon ceremony.

Some family and friends have voiced opinions and now I'm second guessing my original thoughts. Just looking for any opinions or suggestions on this. I'd love to hear about how you guys planned your day and how it went or how your planning your day to go

Thanks for all the help!!

[Mischaka]

Well i'm doing mine later in the day. but that's just my preference. I want to be able to have enough time to get ready and I always wanted to have it around sunset. Not to mention, I like the nighttime.

[StephyD]

I had a hard time choosing my ceremony and reception time as well.

 

In the end, we decided on having the ceremony at 4PM and the reception at 7PM (this was the standard time, we didn't really have a choice).

 

I didn't want my guests to have to be ready for an early ceremony and then have a few hours until the reception. I really wanted everyone to stay together while we were taking our pictures. We are doing a cocktail hour from 5PM until 7ish. That way, the guests will go to the ceremony, then to the cocktail hour and the reception... they won't have to do their own thing or wait until a few hours later to go on with the day.

[Future Mrs. M]

We were having this same dilemma because the chapel we love was only available at 11am. We would rather keep everyone together and have it flow a little more smoothly. We wanted everyone to get the day to relax and unwind at the pool beach and get ready after lunch for our ceremony. We are doing a rehearsal dinner/welcome party the day before the wedding so it will be tough for people to get up that early especially all the bridesmaids since they'd have to be up extra early for hair and make up.

I think if you do it later you give your guests more time to do their own thing. The in between can throw people off.