Ceremony and reception combined

[Gwyn]

Has anyone ever been to a wedding where there was no formal ceremony? Or a very short ceremony at the start of the reception?

Neither my ff or I are very religious and I was trying to think of a way that we could just say our vows and exchange rings (maybe 10 mins or so) at the start of the reception.

I read in another string somethign about a cocktail hour first. Is that something maybe that would work. Have everyone around for drinks and snacks then all go in say the vows then start the party?

 

[neatfreak]

That''s actually basically what we''re doing. No real ceremony to speak of, but we''re going to do a quick vow and ring exchange outside and then move inside and have lunch. I really like it this way because people are really just there to celebrate YOU, not to listen to an hour ceremony (unless that is you) so do whatever works best for you guys!

 

[musey]

We're essentially doing the same thing. Our ceremony (ideally) will likely be about 5 minutes and then we'll go right into the reception (in my mind, a casual buffet). We might do cocktail hour first, as well... it keeps everyone entertained while the bride does the inevitable last-minute primping and, well, freaking out.

My widower uncle remarried last summer, and did cocktail hour with buffet hors devours, then ceremony, then reception (sit-down)... all held on the waterfront terrace of a Seattle hotel. That was the first wedding I'd gone to in that format. Honestly, I was a little shocked at first because their ceremony was quite literally:

"I love you."
"I love you."
"Do you?"
"I do."
"Do you?"
"I do."
"I now pronounce you man and wife!"
*Kiss*
Aaaaaand, scene.

About a minute and a half--tops. My family all looked at each other thinking--"Wait, it's over?? Well... okay!"

It was confusing at first, but I'm sure everyone there appreciated not having to sit there 1/2 hour of poems, bible readings and vows.

 

[fabcrab]

That''s actually what we did. DH and I are not very religious either so we had a non-denominational guy and the ceremony took about 15 minutes or so. My side of the family is very Catholic and they were like "that''s it?". But you know I was glad it was over quick because I was having a hard time controlling the tears

.

After the ceremony the minister told everyone to hang out in the lobby for while they set up the room from ceremony to reception. DH and I spent the time thanking everyone for coming...we didn''t have a formal cocktail hour during this time because we took the photos before the ceremony. The set up time literally took 10 minutes and everyone lined up to the buffet.

 

[Gwyn]

the only thing that I think may be ruined in all this is the whole not seeing the bride til wedding starts kind of thing. Anyway way I can still kind of incorporate that element? I would love to get all the pictures out of the way before the wedding. but i still kind of want my entry to be special LOL

 

[musey]

Date: 4/23/2007 7:20:34 PM
Author: Gwyn
the only thing that I think may be ruined in all this is the whole not seeing the bride til wedding starts kind of thing. Anyway way I can still kind of incorporate that element? I would love to get all the pictures out of the way before the wedding. but i still kind of want my entry to be special LOL

I don''t know if you were talking about pictures, specifically, but at my unc''s wedding the bride did not go to the cocktail hour... she still made her entrance when the ceremony began.

But yeah, it would be so great to have pictures done before, but it does create the "groom sees the bride in her dress before the wedding" problem!!

 

[njc]

We went to a wedding last month that had what you describe. It was very nice. People sipped drinks while they waited for the ceremony to start. The groom came down and took his place, which was the cue for everyone to take their seats. Ceremony was all of 5 minutes. There was a room upstairs that all of the bridal party (boys and girls) hung out in until it was time for them to take their places. So the bride still had her grand entrace. HTH!

 

[monarch64]

Yup, definitely been to a wedding like you''re describing. It took place in a hotel''s atrium which was beautifully done with koi ponds throughout, she came down during the cocktail hour, had one MOH and one BM precede her, and then the ceremony lasted about 5 minutes and we finished cocktail hour, and then moved into one of the "ballrooms" for the reception. It was very sophisticated and cocktail-y, we all were standing during the ceremony so it definitely wasn''t sit down formal-ish at all but had a very modern feel and was still just as touching and intimate, if not more so, than any church ceremony I''ve been to. I loved it.

 

[BigSista]

I hate long ceremonies as well...I''m having a friend officiate and the ceremony is going to be about 15 min. That is your moment to express your love for each other. I would do at least a 15 min ceremony. I assume this is your 1st marriage and you should do it right and not chince on the meaning of making this commitment for life.