Am i being unreasonable??

NoAngel

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Sugarwalsh has nicely outlined some good timings that are quite realistic.

Our ceremony is at 12 (civil ceremony at same venue as reception), time for chat afterwards and photos around 12.45-1.30. Then we go off for a few pics on our own, followed by drinks reception about 2.15ish. Sit down for wedding breakfast at 3pm and have each course an hour apart. Speeches to follow and evening to start at 7pm.

barbaraemmerson

one of the best weddings I have ever been to was up at Aviemore in Scotland. The timings were pretty much like your but................bacon butties were provided as soon as we got to the venue - where people mingled and watched a combined slideshow of the bride and groom growing up. Everyone mingled, chatted, laughed at the slideshow and didn't mind how long the meal took to arrive or how long the photos took - absolutely fab - and should keep mum happy!!

lozmk1

i think you should allow for canapes to be served so whilst guests are waiting for you to arrive they can at least have a little something to nibble on to tide them over to tea time! thats what we are doing anyway.

hamsterfan1

When I got married xxxx years ago our day had similar timings - however our photos took ages & the guests were hanging around waiting for us , one of our close friends said that if they had beenprewarned they could have popped into the local pub for a drink or two. Does your venue have a bar your guest could wait in & maybe have a packet of crisps to tide them over?

Idiophreak

barbaraemmerson wrote: »

one of the best weddings I have ever been to was up at Aviemore in Scotland. The timings were pretty much like your but................bacon butties were provided as soon as we got to the venue - where people mingled and watched a combined slideshow of the bride and groom growing up. Everyone mingled, chatted, laughed at the slideshow and didn't mind how long the meal took to arrive or how long the photos took - absolutely fab - and should keep mum happy!!

That sounds like a good plan - and I've been to quite a few with canap!s, too, which have worked well.

I went to one wedding recently where we didn't eat til quite late in the afternoon and it's fair to say I was *starving* by the time the food showed up...and so was everyone else. It got to a stage where it was all people were talking about "we've got to eat soon, suuuurely!" - I really think much later than 3/3:30 is pushing your luck.

Also, when the meal overruns (which it always does), the evening guests are arriving before people have really finished their coffee etc and it just gets messy.

I wouldn't worry too much about having some photos before the meal and some after. I can't imagine you'll really look bloated in the pictures...

rosalie-lavender

barbaraemmerson wrote: »

one of the best weddings I have ever been to was up at Aviemore in Scotland. The timings were pretty much like your but................bacon butties were provided as soon as we got to the venue - where people mingled and watched a combined slideshow of the bride and groom growing up. Everyone mingled, chatted, laughed at the slideshow and didn't mind how long the meal took to arrive or how long the photos took - absolutely fab - and should keep mum happy!!

I think this is a lovely idea. I went to a wedding once where we all sat for hours at the venue waiting for the photos to be taken. Most people were bored silly and very hungry because no-one had been pre-warned that food would such a long time after the wedding. I also would suggest if there are children coming that you plan a few simple activities to keep them occupied or warn their parents they need to bring some colouring etc.

RainbowDrops

As others have said, it's quite a long gap.If the wedding is at 11.30 most people will ave probs only had time for a simple breakfast, as you have to factor in time for getting ready & getting to the ceremony. I know I'd be hungry if I had to wait until 3pm for lunch.
Plus things do overrun - we were nearly 30mins late for our meal.
If you could put on canapes for your guests on arrival to the reception I'm sure they'd all be really grateful.

mildred1978

NoAngel wrote: »

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Sugarwalsh has nicely outlined some good timings that are quite realistic.

Our ceremony is at 12 (civil ceremony at same venue as reception), time for chat afterwards and photos around 12.45-1.30. Then we go off for a few pics on our own, followed by drinks reception about 2.15ish. Sit down for wedding breakfast at 3pm and have each course an hour apart. Speeches to follow and evening to start at 7pm.

Can I ask why? A standard 3 course meal plus coffee would usually take around 2 hours to be served and eaten. Why are you stringing it out? Seems very odd to me.

fawny

Hi Hollie,

I think as long as you pre warn people so they can have a big breakfast then there should be no problems. If you can afford to provide a few nibbles then it would be a nice idea, but otherwise it sounds great & it's what you want to do!!

Hollie84

hamsterfan1 wrote: »

When I got married xxxx years ago our day had similar timings - however our photos took ages & the guests were hanging around waiting for us , one of our close friends said that if they had beenprewarned they could have popped into the local pub for a drink or two. Does your venue have a bar your guest could wait in & maybe have a packet of crisps to tide them over?

Our venue is being held in a posh hotel so does have a bar there.with FIL being our photographer we can kind of tell him when enough is enough,so if we have a set time for the meal he will know that its time for a break and we can resume after;)