or maybe we don't...

[slg47]

So I had contacted the venue we decided on and told them that we would like May 27, 2012 and we planned on starting the ceremony at either 5 pm or 5:30. I figured this should be fine, because the venue books a year out, but in my earlier meeting with them they said they could put a 'hold' on a date for us.

Well...I got an e-mail this morning...apparently they have a rather large event in the ballroom that day and they end at 4:30. The wedding coordinator said it may work, but suggested bumping up the wedding start time at 6:30...

aaah! I'm going to email her with our suggested timeline and see if it would work out...it just has been so hard to find a venue that will accommodate both ceremony and reception, and be convenient for out of town guests (close to hotel)...

suggested timeline
5:30 start ceremony
6 end ceremony
6-7 cocktail hour
7-midnight plus reception?

 

[lucyandroger]

That stinks! Did you have any back up dates that you were considering?

I don't think your timeline gives the venue enough time to clean up the previous event and set up for your ceremony. Remember you're going to want your guests to be able to get into the ceremony room and get themselves seated a few minutes before the ceremony begins so really you're giving the staff of your venue less than an hour. Plus you have to consider that the other event may run a little longer than planned.

Your reception seems to be 6 plus hours. I think most receptions are 4-5 hours so maybe you could shave a little time of the back end?

 

[KittyGolightly]

I'm sorry. That is so frustrating.

Is your ceremony going to be in the ballroom or somewhere else? If it's somewhere else, I think the timing could work. The hotel staff would probably need an hour to break-down/clean-up from the prior event. Set up for your reception would take an hour (maybe more depending on how complicated the set up is). So, it seems like the earliest start time possible for using the ballroom would be 6:30?

I hope it works out for you. Is your heart set on that particular date, or could you go for a different date?

 

[amc80]

I would have everything pushed back to start at 6:30. That still gives four hours for the reception, which seems like plenty of time.

 

[slg47]

so the ceremony is set to take place outdoors, the only thing that would be in the ballroom is the reception (cocktail hour is on the terrace/foyer adjacent to the ballroom). I guess I'm concerned that if we start too late then dinner will be really late?

 

[amc80]

Are you going to have munchies with the cocktail hour? If so, I'd say your fine.

 

[slg47]

yes, we are definitely having munchies at the cocktail hour

 

[amc80]

I figured that would be the case. My vote is move it back an hour. Seems much easier than picking a new date and/or venue. Maybe the venue will work with you in letting the reception go an hour later?

 

[slg47]

yeah, this venue actually doesn't have an 'end time' for receptions, which is nice.

 

[turboflgrl]

Hmmm... I'm not sure I like the idea of a venue holding more than one event in one day. Most of the ones I visited did not. I'd worry about how clean the place would be after the previous event.

 

[slg47]

yeah, this venue usually does not. They definitely don't do 2 weddings in one day in the same space. I am not sure what the other event is??

 

[sillyberry]

This is a bummer.

I would ask them about starting the ceremony at 6. Dinner definitely won't be too late, and if you get done with cocktails at 7:30, that gives the Four Seasons 3 hours to clean and prepare the room.

Overall, though, I think small adjustments outweigh changing the date and/or venue.

 

[slg47]

yeah, I was thinking 6 ceremony start time also. That way things wouldn't be too late, and 6 actually isn't too bad (definitely won't be as hot, and still plenty light outside)

 

[rosetta]

Honestly?

I wouldn't want my wedding so close to another event.

Any problem causing the other event to overrun will impact on your timing.

I wouldn't want that kind of stress.

Do you have to have that date?

I think it would be better if your wedding is the first event on, but even then, it feels a bit like a production line.

I would pass on this big time, failing that, I would put as much time between my wedding and the previous event. I think four hours is short for a wedding reception myself, but most will think it's ok. It'll fly by before you know it.

I'm prob a lone voice though: we have our venue for 24 hours!

 

[slg47]

I e-mailed about starting at either 6 or 6:30. honestly, this is one of the only dates that works for us

 

[rosetta]

Ok, I understand.

Start later.

Can you negotiate a later end time?

I would hate to see your wedding prematurely ending just when the party gets going!

If you have a reasonable end time, then the party can end naturally and no one gets kicked out

 

[slg47]

we can actually end whenever we want!

 

[rosetta]

Ok, that's much better then.

Just tell everyone it's a late night party, so much more fashionable

 

[slg47]

yeah, I think it will work out...starting later will definitely help with the heat also!