For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

What are you doing with your guests? We have a big time gap set up to take pictures. I was just looking for suggestions and ideas.

I'm crazy about pictures - and want to have plenty of time to get pictures and then enjoy the CH too - but I feel like I should make some kind of accommodation for the guests - I just don't know what.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

Well, our ceremony is at 3:30 and the reception does not start until 7pm, so we have a gap, as well. I am assuming that one of three things will happen: 1) People just won't come to the ceremony 2) People will come, then go home and get ready for the reception 3) JT's mom will actually take some responsibility and hold a little something at her house which is all of three blocks from the church.
I'm not holding my breath on #3, so I'm assuming people will just have to entertain themselves. For the OOT guests, I will leave them with information in their hotel giftbags what there is to do around their area.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

When there is such a gap, guests will either just wait until the reception or go home afterwards to get dressed. Maybe you should have FI speak to his Mom about having guests over by her.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

How much of a time gap do you have? My ceremony is at 3 and the guests can arrive at the hall at 5:30 and the CH starts at 6. I was stressing over this at first but then I was like, they are all adults and can entertain themselves for a few hours.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

I wish I had a gap it would make things a little easier

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

I have the same problem. I am assuming most guest will not come to the church. The ones that do will get hotel rooms around - I am giving them a listing and prices in the invitations. Otherwise - its a two hour wait until the ceremony begins, the people at the place I'm getting married said they could wait around in the bar until it starts. My MIL said something about maybe renting out the bar for an hour or so.

Still thinking.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

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Posted by mushsgrl

I wish I had a gap it would make things a little easier

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thats funny - I tried to think of a way around it because I have a feeling my guests are going to be cranky about it. But this was the only way to get in day time pictures after the ceremony during that time of year.

Thanks for all the answers!

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

I have a huge gap.....ceremony is at 4 and CH starts at 8! I figure primarily family will make it to the church and they are going to be following us taking pictures anyway.

For the OOT people, there is a bar at the hotel next to CB they can hang out at. Inconvenient I know but I cant afford to have someone host anything else. Sorry I was of no help!

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

My church is at 3 and my CH is at 7 ... so there is a gap ... my FMIL is going to open her house to friends/family... even though she'll be in coming to the CH early with us, a friend of the family will host sokmething at her house. A lot of my family will be checking in the hotel and relaxing there and I'm having family come early to the hall to take the required family photo's (I have a very big family) ... I think it'll work out OK.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

I am planning on having a close friend from here in CA host the OTT's and others at my parents house while we head to the reception site to take pics with the family. It's only about an hour.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

The gap is quite expected and indeed, many people use the time to return to their hotel, take off their hells and relax. You are not required to do anything. If you are really concerned, two options are to do as previously recommended, have someone host the OOT guests or you can set up a hospitality room with a small bite at the hotel -- minimal expense if you have a block -- or you can open a room with a lite get together. Again, though, nothing is expected or required.

Re: For those with time between the ceremony and reception....

We have a big gap, too. Ceremony is at 3:30, CH starts at 7pm. We are going to have a family member open up my parent's house and have guests go there. We're only going to have some water, juice, soda and cookies. (my parent's house is two blocks from the church)