This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by meriberi_00 on 03/30/2003.
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posted by meriberi_00
Our wedding is at 3:00PM, so it will go maybe until 3:30-3:45PM. What should we do about a meal. Full dinner? We also want dancing afterward. How long should we give everyone to finish there meal? THANKS
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posted by Holly
Will there be formal photos taken after the ceremony? Extended travel time between the ceremony and reception?
Hmmm... assuming you are having some photos taken, that could mean the reception would start at 4:30-5:00 pm. I think that in that case you probably will need to provide some kind of meal, especially if you want dancing afterwards, because the guests could get hungry. At my reception I am allowing about an hour for the full, sit-down meal (and some toasts will be included in that as well).
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posted by dryvithome
The reception is located at the same location for us. We're both leaning towards a meal anyways, but we're still looking for what type of meal to offer. I'm hoping she and I decide versus having too much input from relatives on what HAS to be there because certain people have likes/dislikes of food.
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posted by Amanda
if you do go with a meal how about a buffet style? that way there's someting for everyone and it sometimes is cheaper than a sit down meal. but check with your hall about that. sometimes you have to hire an out side caterer (meaning you hire them to come to your event insetead of an on site caterer)also make sure there is a vegetarian option beucase regardless on who you invite there will be some one who does not eat meat.
Also i would make the dinner around 6 beucase sometimes photographers take there sweet time and transportation to the reception there will be about a 2 hour gap in between so depending on the area you might want to send along with the invites a list of places they can go during the wait ie wineries, art exhibits, mesuems, a friend's house that can have a litte cocktail party or maybe open have a coctail hour at the reception site offering wine and cheese or recomend a good movie hahah the last one was a joke!
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posted by wynelle
Are you allowed an unlimited time at the wedding site? I recently attended a wedding which had a very rigid 2 hour limit at the site. The wedding was at 3:15, and the area had to be cleared by 4. The guests went over to the reception site and had drinks and appetizers, then the formal dinner started at 5. At about 6, the bride and groom had their first dance. The partying was still going on when I left at 9. A buffet might take a little longer since the guests have to queue up and return to their seats, but with a 3pm wedding, dinner at 5 or 5:30 or even 6 is not too long to wait.
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posted by Holly
dryvithome, I know all about the things that just HAVE to be done... you can drive yourselves crazy trying to make everyone else happy but yourselves (I had a mother that wanted everything her way).
But anyway. Amanda makes a good point. You could do buffet, but if you do decide on a sitdown meal, then make sure you give an option for the guests. Basically choose whatever you both envisioned: a buffet or sitdown?
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posted by 6amandaf6
I know how you feel Holly....I really DID go crazy trying to please everyone, as did my fiance (its our personalities to keep everyone happy) but in the end do what makes you happy so you can lok back and think "yeah, we had a beautiful day". Check prices for buffet vs sit down meal. We're actually having a sitdown meal because with the wastage you get from a buffet, the meal prices actually worked out slightly cheaper. We're having our wedding at 3/3.30 and allowing a couple of hours till the meal itself. Most weddings in my country (New Zealand) last till around 11 pm / midnight after speeches, dinner, dancing etc. No wonder people have honeymoons....I'm so going to need a break after all this organising and stress!!!!
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posted by Holly
You sound like me, 6amanda6f... I'm a people-pleaser too, I hate to disappoint anyone... but like you, I decided to do what will make my fiance and I happy and also plan realistically what we can do, given the budget we're on. Some people may or may not like the choices we've make (luncheon reception versus dinner reception; outside wedding versus church wedding; no dancing; plus LOTS of guest issues). But I am hoping that when the day is over, we'll be glad that we made the choices we did.
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posted by dryvithome
We don't have an unlimited time at the site, but it's definitely 4-5 hours without a problem. All they are asking is time to clean up the reception area for the church service the next day.
As far as the food goes, we still haven't decided. Just going to take some time delving into the local eateries and seeing who can cater, and what the costs will be. I'm leaning more towards a buffet style, but I realize that can cause a backup in people getting served that can take an hour or so for whoever is at the end to get food. As far as pleasing everyone else goes, we're lucky enough in that aspect that I'm known for letting what I feel be said. That's a blessing in one way and not much of one in another. We've already decided that what we want to go with will be what we choose, but getting to that point takes some time.
I couldn't imagine trying to do the wedding to someone else's likes and dislikes. We'd end up with something we didn't like at all if we went with all the input we've hadfrom family.
I'm liking the movie idea, though. I wonder how we could make that work. Maybe a home made movie of us or something. I'll have to think on that one, and also run it by her.
Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts so far.
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posted by Holly
meriberi and dryvithome, you may want to consider food stations if you have a buffet. Sometimes this reduces the long waiting time in line.
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posted by Amanda
holly made a great point a food station would be a good idea while someone is waiting for salad others can get chicken or pasta. that way there are smaller lines. but make sure your hall can handle that somtimes it can be cramped. maybe you can make a slide show from when you 2 were kids to present day...it would be cute!
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posted by dryvithome
I can do slideshows no problem. The hard part is going to be finding photos of us together. I don't think we've taken that many together. I've seen this done before and I like it. I think I'll doctor up a few in Photoshop and see what I can come up with that is interesting.
I like the idea of food stations. That is a pretty good idea for cutting down on lines, and there will be enough room at our location for it.
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posted by juju
I love holly's idea about the food stations, if you can fit them. I also love amanda's idea about the slide show. We had one at our rehearsal dinner and it was one of my favorite parts of the whole wedding experience. Don't worry about pictures of you two together so much. I think the baby pics, first day of school, halloween, etc are so cute! They are the ones our guests got the biggest kick out of.
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posted by Amanda
why don't you get famous photos and paste your heads on the people. that would be good for a few laughs. or go to some photo booths or by a joy cam and click away!
hahahah it would be hillarious if you copied famous art works like you 2 can be the couple in amercian gothic you grab a bonnet, pitchfork and your set!
Dinner and dancing
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