were only having them as we get married at 2pm the food isn't until 6.30pm so think you will be ok, just tell them to have a big lunch they will be fine, were also having a chocolate fountain could work out cheaper than having canapés?

I agree with no canapes as they have the chance to have a large brunch/lunch beforee the wedding x

Only thing is people will be travelling during Lunch time! It's in London and people will be in cars/tube/buses etc. Just hope they won't be too hungry when they arrive - the ceremony is an hour long too (vicar wouldn't let it be any shorter!)

Not sure about choc fountain for a reception - everyone would love it I'm sure but sugar is an appetite suppressant lol, don't want people not eating the proper 3-course meal!
xx

Yes Glitterfairy - think 3pm ceremony is much safer for no canapes as people will definitely have had a good lunch providing they haven't been driving for hours. xx

We are having canapes with our drinks reception, ceremony at church is at 1:30pm and I think the sit down meal will be approx 5pm- 5:30pm start. They are included in the reception venue package though so luckily not costing us extra.

Maybe people will eat a good brunch?

Could you do cheaper snacks during the drinks reception such as cheesey bread sticks, olives and crisps/nuts? If you're worried about guests getting hungry that is.

xx

That's a good idea InDreamland - it doesn't say anything about that option in the brochure but I could ask the venue x

A good venue should be flexible, that way it's nothing pricey but enough to just plug a hole for an hour or so. Hopefully most people will be smart enough to have a hearty brekkie. I always expect to eat late at a wedding and ensure I have a good brunch/lunch before I go so that I don't get hungry.

Good luck checking with the venue, hope they can do something light for you.
x

Where in central London are you having your wedding hun?

Plenty of places in central London to grab a bite to eat :D
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Having images of me walking into the maccy d's in Watford town centre lol in a wedding dress with my BM's lol - that'd be a sight!
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We are going before we get ready so yea probably, my baby sister lives with our dad and they don't have much money so she has only had one takeaway and mcdonalds is a huge treat.

My little sister's dad got married on christmas eve and had their reception at mcdonalds with just their two witnesses then told his parents over christmas lunch.

I haven't had a maccy d's for about 7 years seriously!

I've heard of others having wedding receptions there, think there was one in the news before lol. Wasn't a small affair either.

I love Greenwich! beautiful area and a gorgeous looking de veres venue there (website looks good). I have a friend who lives in the area so we had her baby shower there too :D
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cupcake btw u dont want big meal b4 puttin ure dress on!! deffo a no no am eatin little lol

lol. becky thats so true.
i think on my wedding day ill be to nervous to eat when I get up and will be starving by the time it gets to the meal, i wont be the one eating the canapes though xx

You need to remember that you are realistically talking at least 4.5 hours, and possibly longer, between meals, not 3.5 hours.

If your ceremony is at 2pm, most guests will be aiming to arrive by 1.30-1.45pm (as a guest, I'd be aiming to arrive 30 minutes before so I wasn't rushing/missing the brides entrance). This means that most people will likely be leaving home at around 1pm, unless your venue is very local. They are unlikely to sit down to a big lunch in their best clothes, so they will likely eat before getting ready.

This means that most guests will probably have last eaten at 12pm; meaning, by the time you sit down to eat, they will have gone for 5.5 hours without food. I personally do not have a medical condition, but would be getting extremely hungry and feeling probably quite sick by that point.

So yes, I think you do need to provide canapes, or at least some nibbles, like crisps and nuts, to keep people going.

Ooh, it was lovely there hun! It was a December wedding, 2 weeks before Christmas in 2009 so not too long ago. The food was really nice (and I had a special dairy free meal). My mate organised goodies in the ladies like ladies products, perfume, deodrant, painkillers, plasters etc..

Where abouts in East London are you? I get into work on the Central line every day from Loughton so I have not choice but to ggo through Stratford every day .............not good! I'm so not looking forward to my commute. H2B is Newham police so he's going to have major issues with his commute :( He and BIL have already started their olympics shifts so me and my sis are already being affected as they are working most weekends now until end of September! :(

I have tickets for the mens bronze medal badminton game. What about you? Going to any events?

xx

Lol - it's a 1 hour and 20 minute commute to work on a good day as it is, drive 15 mins to station and park up, then from Loughton to Victoria (changing at Oxford Circus) .................there is no way I am walking lol! My only possible options to totally avoid the tubes is if I can drive to our offices in Enfield or Snaresbrook as we are pan-London and they're my closest local offices (i use them when the tube strikes are on or if I just wanna hide from HQ).

Canary Wharf will be busy you poor luv, feel for you too. Get on a boris bike?

Could you just ask the venue to clean the chandeliers? I think it's a perfectly reasonable request if you're having your reception there and paying good money for it!

Thanks hun, H2B and I just feel in love with it when we first saw it and it had such a good package there was no contest with the other venues we could afford.

xx

Thanks hun, we do love that venue, so pleased we're having it there. Yes, we're having a Church ceremony beforehand. :D

It's been agreed by the boss that the team should make all reasonable efforts to get in but that flexitime accrual is suspended for the period so that if we struggle to work our hours due to travel disruption we're able to work a little less hours wise. I might take a few days off tbh if it all gets too unbearable.

I agree cycling in London is hair raising but I reckon so many people will take to the bikes it'll be safer as drivers will be more aware of them not to mention the fact that traffic will be at a standstill anyway.

I think the trafalgar is a lovely venue (maybe I'm biased coz my mate had her wedding there but it was a lovely day) but I think for the price you are paying to hire the place they should at least make it clean and sparkly for you. It is your weddingf afterall so you want it to be perfect. My mate had a Abba tribute band, so much fun!
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Hehe that does sound fun!! My fiancé is Swedish so that would be quite fitting, albeit a tad cheesy hehe! Were they good?

I think a few days off would be good. I guess you can try the first few days of work, maybe setting off earlier than you normally would and see how bearable the journey is. If its too bad talk them and ask for the different location? Xx

Lol - they band were good! Great fun!

Guess you have 2 things to ask for though, cheaper nibbles and to clean chandelier! Good luck!

Yeah, gonna try few days commuting and if I have probelms will see if the local offices can accommodate me, problem is that everyone will be doing the same thing. :S

Are you going to just walk? How long will that take?

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According to urban walk it it will take 1hr 30 at a fairly fast pace! I'll be exhausted! Might try setting off really early the first few days and see how bad the DLR is before I get my trainers on! xx

Lol it is far but I don't think I have a choice! I get the DLR to bank - not any quieter - eek!
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I hate Bank too! But fortunately the change over to Northern is really fast and I'm just one stop to Moorgate.
Urgh that sounds like a horrible journey, poor you! Sweaty men on the tube- gross!!
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I still can't decide to have canapes or not. We are getting married at 3pm, 4pm photo's and sparkly wine, 5pm sit down meal, 9pm buffet. Should we offer canapes with the sparkly wine at 4pm, I really can't decide?

Yes it's in a ball room above a pub so there will be a bar where starved guests can order from! I might try ask the venue about providing a few nibbles. But with a 2pm wedding everyone should have enough time to eat.

Oh yes I can see why you'd want them if you're marrying at 11am. What time is your meal? And how early will you have to get up for hair and make up?!

ave decided not to have cancapes but am havin strawberrys n dips