A well-organised event can only happen when someone controls the timing. Even a simple wedding needs things to happen at certain times to avoid ruining dinner, having a band set-up on time, or for the carriages to be arriving at the end of the party, not as it begins!
[Lecture over]
With that in mind, here are some key areas to put into your wedding planner or spreadsheet, with some thoughts first.
What’s the best time for a wedding to start?
The wedding starts before the wedding breakfast, so it all hangs of this time. A 3pm wedding makes for a very different meal than a 12 noon one. Planning this is key to the success of your event, but it’s down to you and your ideal success.
- Getting married at 12pm is seen as the best time as it gives you an aim for a 2-3pm wedding breakfast.
- A 1pm wedding is close to lunch but pushes the meal back to 4/5pm in some cases.
- A 2pm wedding means that your guests can probably eat before they get to you – if they’re warned and advised to do so.
- A 3pm wedding means you’ll likely have to go for a later meal and potentially not have evening guests unless you invite them for 8pm.
All of this entirely depends on how you’re running the event, but the difference of a few hours here makes a big difference later - especially if you have to have carriages at 12 midnight due to venue restrictions.
12 noon is a popular time for the wedding as it gives you and the guests plenty of time to eat a hearty breakfast, experience the wedding ceremony, nibble on some canapes, and then eat at around 3pm.
Once you’ve set the timing (and booked the ceremony with your choice of church or civil ceremony) you’ll be ready to plan the timing for the rest of the day.
Clearly, the distance between the wedding ceremony location and the venue are key to all this. Getting married in the same place (a real benefit of a hotel) means zero travel time and an extra hour in most cases. This can be used for photos or entertainment or mingling.
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How long is your reception going to be?
The length of reception (for drinks and canapes) will drive decisions on how much food and drink you need and of course the need for bigger nibbles, over a taste of something to keep the guests amused and not hungry.
Plying your guests with booze for two hours without feeding them is best avoided. There’s always an Aunty or Uncle who needs to be kept just the right side of tipsy.
The reception duration time will depend on:
- The wedding breakfast venue distance (further away will need more time for all guests to arrive)
- Where are people staying? On-site will mean you’ll need less time, but further away will affect it more.
- When are you providing meals? Aiming for this as an end point will help your reception planning which can be a good buffer and flexible time you can play with.
- Are there other things to get done during this time like photos, videos, check-ins, parking, guest book signings, family traditions, and anything else you want to throw in.
If you’re going over an hour though, please do consider the food you’re going to serve as many guests will be hungry by now.
How long is your wedding breakfast?
Fun fact: Why is it called a wedding breakfast?
The wedding breakfast gets its name thanks to the meal being the first meal that a married couple have together after they are wed. The new day together begins from the moment of their marriage. To add to the tradition, some couples used to fast from the night before and this was then their ‘breakfast’ meal.
The length of the wedding breakfast will depend on some key elements of your wedding day plans. You’ll need to know whether you’re having:
- Two or three courses
- Wedding speeches
- Toasts
- Coffee and cake
The main two things to plan are the meal courses and speeches and these will have a strong impact on the time it takes to serve, clear, and eat with the added unknown of the wedding speeches and toasts at the end or beginning. Although you can advise the speech givers of your timetable and expected duration.
A three-course meal will take around three hours, but this will not factor in the speeches or any entertainment you have planned. Hosting more people will probably affect the service time, too.
When should you do the speeches ata wedding?
The kitchen would probably prefer that you do the speeches at the end of the meal. The guests would, too. Having 20-30 minutes of speeches when the food is ready and the guests are hungry isn’t always a good idea, especially for a 12pm wedding as this can really push back that first meal since breakfast for many of your guests.
If you do have the speeches beforehand, consider having them after the starter has been eaten at least.
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Contact us now or get a quote by clicking on the button below and we’ll get working on it together.
FREE:Wedding Day Schedule May 2020- Customisable excel sheet to plan your wedding.
As an experienced event planning enthusiast with over a decade of hands-on experience in organizing weddings and other special occasions, I understand the critical role timing plays in the success of an event. My expertise extends beyond theory, as I've actively participated in planning and executing numerous events, including weddings of varying scales and complexities. This practical experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in coordinating different elements to ensure a seamless and memorable celebration.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Choosing the Wedding Start Time:
- The article emphasizes the importance of selecting the right time for the wedding ceremony, considering its impact on the subsequent events.
- Various options are presented, such as a 12 pm wedding for a 2-3 pm wedding breakfast, and the implications of different timings on meals and evening guests are discussed.
- The timing decision is highlighted as a crucial factor influencing the overall event schedule, especially considering venue restrictions.
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Reception Duration:
- The article stresses the significance of determining the length of the reception, which includes drinks and canapes.
- Factors affecting reception duration include the distance between the ceremony location and the venue, accommodations for guests, and the timing of meals.
- The need to balance alcohol consumption with providing food during the reception is mentioned, along with considerations for various activities during this time.
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Wedding Breakfast Duration:
- The term "wedding breakfast" is explained as the first meal a married couple shares after the wedding, often comprising multiple courses.
- Factors influencing the duration of the wedding breakfast include the number of courses, the inclusion of speeches, toasts, coffee, and cake.
- A three-course meal is estimated to take around three hours, and the article advises accounting for additional time for speeches and entertainment.
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Speeches at a Wedding:
- The article discusses the ideal timing for wedding speeches, suggesting that having them at the end of the meal is preferred by both the kitchen and guests.
- Considerations for speech duration and the impact on meal timing, especially for a midday wedding, are highlighted.
- A suggestion is made to have speeches after the starter course to prevent delays in serving the main meal.
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Event Planning and Catering Equipment:
- The article concludes by offering insight from a company with over 20 years of experience in hiring catering equipment for events in various locations.
- The expertise of the company is emphasized, and readers are encouraged to reach out for assistance in planning their wedding, with a customizable Excel sheet provided as a planning tool.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the intricate details of planning a wedding, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful timing considerations for a successful and memorable event.
