hi all, i am getting married next april and i am getting concerned about our reception. we're on a really tight budget and originally decided to just have a buffet instead of a sit-down meal. we originally thought it would solve a lot of problems i.e family arguements and the good old phrase " urrrrgggghhhh dont like that!!! ". but now i am worried how we will fill in the time. our wedding is at 3.30 at the register office and our reception venue is approx. 20 mins away. so i was thinking photos and maybe "cocktail hour" or something. the only thing is the dj doesnt start til 7.30pm so i am worrying there is too much time from arrival til the entertainment. i am now contemplating having a smaller wedding party and inviting more people to the evening so we can afford a sit down meal, but i dont want people to feel pushed out. any ideas???????
CommentAuthorPennylane
I think that timing is fine - by the time the ceremony is finished and you have your photos taken it'll be well after 5 then that gives people time to sit and eat and chat and have a drink. I wouldn't worry about it x
02.07.11
All you need is Love!
Why is the rum always gone?
CommentAuthorShellster90
I agree I think the timing is fine.. You want a bit of a chill time and a breathe time before the evening guests come anyway. Time you've had photos and relaxed buffet and drinks it won't be long before the evening reception will be there..
Say for example it's like this :)
3:30 Ceremony 4:00 Finish 4:30 - 5:30 arrive at reception & Photos 5:30ish Food 6:30 More photos? and Drinks 7:30 Evening Reception ..... Plenty of time hun :) xx
CommentAuthordebs x
Im getting married at 1pm and had the same problem so we are having a sit down meal for close family and then having everyone else in the evening x
CommentAuthorWinterrose
Are you still gonna do the speeches at the buffet? Cos if so, that'll fill about 45 mins for you anyway xx
Fab shell... I am havin hust the buffet n my serice is at half 3 too, i didnt even think about timings... Youve just sortedit for me ;o) x
CommentAuthorwelshcerys
You could just have some background music on in case it may be a bit too quiet - we will probs download a load of songs onto the ipod and have that playing through a sound system
CommentAuthorlittle_88
edited
I really hope this doesn't offend people by saying this as i know some people are having buffets .. but my cousin got married last November and had a buffet.. we got asked which starter we would want which was "Melon and ham... prawn cocktaill and orange juice".. the melon and ham was lovely we did have a laugh at my brothers W2B who put down orange juice because it just looked a sorry affair.. and to be honest for the mains i was expecting a hot meal and it was FREEZING in novemeber and having the photos done was a nightmare everyone was complain .. even the bride!!! so when people started to get up off there seats we were all rather confused..when it turned out to be a cold buffet.. now personally (which i hope people dont mind me saying) i was rather confused to why in the middle of winter at a wedding a cold buffet was being severed and honestly i didnt like it very much.. nor did my gramps who picked up the tuna rice!.. hahaha.. this was all over by like half 3 4 ish once wedding was over and photos and ect had been done..i cant remember what was for dessert.. so then we were sat around (while the lads watch rugby it was in Wales) untill 7.30 when the evening started which again was a buffet..
we all had to stop off for chips on the way bk because we were starving... if it was me i would have less people cut out the uncles sister cat half removed brother and just have the people you love and care about so you can show them a good time and enjoy ur day.. im not saying there is anything wrong with having a buffet but if you are i would highly recommend putting some sort of entertainment to pass the time.. or why not sever fresh cream cakes and tea after the wedding and hold the buffet off till later..
sorry i just hope this helps in some way!
CommentAuthorlittle_88
sorry for the typos!
CommentAuthorfelicity.h
im getting married at 12:30 and we are having a fork buffet. but im going to ask if they can put it on each table i.e 8people on each table = 8 portions (in a bowl/plate) on each table, if that makes sense. Just like if your sitting down for a family meal like a roast and everyone gets there own stuff. We are also having our cake as dessert so thats cut the cost of the fork buffet plus its just like having a wedding breakfast just no starter.
CommentAuthorShellster90
Were having a mixture of hot and cold buffer. As long as the bride and groom are happy with their choice that's the main thing :)