ceremony and reception schedule of events for unique event

[ringster]

i''m trying to sort out the sequence of events for the day. we are not having the usual ceremony then go to the reception type of event. also, we do not have a bridal party.

everything will happen in one room where the tables for the meal are setup. we have the place for 5 hrs. the location has doors that open out onto a patio that overlooks the water. the sun is supposed to set around 8pm and originally i was trying to have the ceremony take place around that time - with the doors open and the scenery as the backdrop. i posted a pic below to give you a sense of what the room looks like. i drew a red oval where i was planning that we would stand for the ceremony.

however if we have the ceremony at 8pm then the event will end late around midnight which i think might be a bit too late. i have a feeling people will leave around 11pm because it will be a little bit of a drive for most (about 1-1.5 hour)

so i was thinking :

6-7pm - cocktail hour
7-7:30pm - ceremony and pics

then i am kind of stuck - what would be good timing for each of these and in what order?:

toasts
first dance
dance with my dad
salad
entree
cake
bouquet toss - not sure if i will do this
anything else i am missing?

and i just realized today that 4 months to the day i will be married *gulp*. so if i write incoherently and like a mad woman you know why

 

[swimmer]

Ringster, what a gorgeous site! Are you (in your awesome dress) going to be there during the cocktail hour? Or will you make an entrance for the ceremony? Just trying to get a feel for what you are picturing... So people will be seated at their set table for the ceremony or do you want mingling? Standing is fine for something short... I''m not trying to frustrate with these questions, whatever you want will be awesome, I agree that timing is important and know that you can pull this off just the way you want it, but yeah, hammering out the details is rough

 

[ringster]

Date: 1/17/2008 7:06:09 PM
Author: swimmer
Ringster, what a gorgeous site! Are you (in your awesome dress) going to be there during the cocktail hour? Or will you make an entrance for the ceremony? Just trying to get a feel for what you are picturing... So people will be seated at their set table for the ceremony or do you want mingling? Standing is fine for something short... I'm not trying to frustrate with these questions, whatever you want will be awesome, I agree that timing is important and know that you can pull this off just the way you want it, but yeah, hammering out the details is rough

thanks swimmer !

i am debating about whether i will be there but most likely i will. we don't really care if everyone sees us before the ceremony. also, we might have the family pics taken before the event.

yes, people will be seated for the ceremony. the ceremony will be very short and i wouldn't mind if the guests are standing except that speaking as a short person, i don't want anyone to not be able to see what is going on.

bring on the questions!! they help a lot!

ETA : so even if we are there for the cocktail hour, we would still make a "grand" entrance before the ceremony as i do want my dad to walk me in. does that make sense - we would mingle during cocktails then have everyone sit and then i would walk back in with dad (cue music, etc)