Ceremony Only Wedding / How soon after the ceremony should guests leave??

View Quoted Comment I really love this idea. I think this would work perfectly for what she has set up. A small bag with water, a small alcoholic drink and a sugary snack.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! It worked out so well!

Can you offer insight as to how you are able to provide an environment for 50 people, have a receiving line as an option, continue with with group pictures, and dinner with a select group but unable to provide refreshments for said group of 50 “due to Covid”?
And you’re asking for advice “so they get the hint” not to stick around ...
Own your decisions and inform your guests either in writing or verbally what your intentions are. Do not hide from it, expect others to spread the word, or hope those you invited to witness your marriage “get the hint” and figure it out. This is your making; own it.

My friend attended a wedding like this last year! After the ceremony, staff brought champagne to every guest (no bar) & the bride & groom did a thank you & someone made a toast. Then everyone got a take home cupcake. I’ve seen some similar suggestions here, & I think you should go for it. If you can’t do alcohol & cupcakes on short notice, what about just mini seltzers & cookies?

Apparently there has been a huge misunderstanding here. We are having refreshments such as water and a few baked goods. When i said there would be no cocktail hour I mean there would be no cocktail hour that would lead to a reception or anything of that sort. Goodness sorry for the confusion. Was just trying to get an idea of how after the ceremony and we would transition into having our photos taken and such.

Also I should clarify that when I said dinner with family BEFOREHAND i meant at a family members house, basically as a rehearsal dinner. We are NOT having a reception that a select few are invited to. I did not know I would be so attacked for not having a traditional wedding that I would have to explain the whole reasoning as to why we are doing things this way but apparently so. I do apologize for any confusion and misinformation that has seemed to have escalated this conversation. Thank to those who have given me some useful information.

Just a final thought here as well that I think is important to mention. The friends and family that we have invited are all well aware of the circumstances of our wedding and know that they do not have to come, it won't hurt my feelings at all we come from as small town and we see everyone all the time as is.

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Thank you Sheila!!

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Thank you for some advice! We will be having wedding favors and as well few snacks as well for those who may linger and for us in between photos.

Yep, like I said, we had planned to have our wedding this way when we all were knee deep in Covid. We grew to just like the idea of keeping it intimate and small and decided to use what we would've spent for a larger wedding with full catering and all the works to travel. But who knew i would have to explain all that.

That's just what I wanted a second opinion about was if we make it clear that its just a ceremony (which we have) that people will find their way and not wonder. It's just a little different since there won't be a grand exit or anything that clearly marks the end. Again, thank you!!

On the table with baked goods and water, have a little sign that says, "Thank you for attending, please take one." Prepackaged goodies and bottles would be ideal so people don't linger to eat. Ask your officiant to thank everyone for attending and direct them to the goodies table.


That signals the event is over, guests should take their goodies and leave. Also verbally thank everyone for attending and say your goodbyes.
You were being criticized, not "attacked" because your OP made it sound like you were having a big ceremony then kicking everyone out without any hosting whatsoever. I'd have the seats spaced out and ask everyone to wear masks so people remember this is a watch and go covid thing.
A "cake and punch" reception is still a reception, and it's considered the bare minimum level of hosting. It's usually done during a non meal time and guests still get a couple of hours to mingle and chat.
You gotta do what you gotta do during covid, but I still don't understand how 50 people, group photos, a group meal beforehand, and a receiving line are covid friendly. As a covid bride myself, I am sympathetic. But I had 8 guests at my wedding...

“Take the hint” that they should leave because there won’t be a cocktail hour ... That was not misunderstood.

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I think a program, or as someone else suggested a "thank you for coming" sign with exit favors, will help signify when the event is over. With such a small group, most people are probably in the loop about your plans too (granted, not everyone will remember or pay attention to the notifications you give them, but as long as some of your guests do, others should take their lead). I hope you have a beautiful wedding!

Could you put together "takeaway" bags with a cupcake and lemonade or SOMETHING? It's incredibly obnoxious to invite people to a ceremony and then not host them at all. At least this way it's COVID safe and they can grab one on their way out. Almost a cake and punch reception "to-go"?

Skip the favors and use that money toward refreshments

In my opinion. If is is difficult for you to say it. I would think to put it on your program. When the guest arrive have the D.J./Musicians to announce for the guest to read their program. Also you can have the D.J. announce it again, before it comes to an end. The beverages should be given as the guests arrive, so that when it is time to go they can make a cleab exit.

I am in the same boat. I am renting the venue for 4 hours as that is a part of the package, but I am providing light refreshments and snacks after the ceremony because mine is a brunch ceremony. I plan on talking to everyone that comes there and having a program telling people that it concludes at a specific time. Look at it as an elopement. Would you like a snack after all the excitement? I know I would, so I just thought to provide that for the people that attend. Then have a much bigger reception later.

View Quoted Comment I agree with you. We have no control over covid, but we do have to consider our loved ones, and hiw they feel

There are a lot of people coming to not give advise but instead bash on your ceremony. So real quick I would like to say, if my cousin or my family member had to have a ceremony only I would still go. For all the people saying it’s rude or that it’s bad hosting; these are the type of people I would not want there. You are joining us to celebrate the love between my FH and I, not so I can feed you. That being said, some advise, which is what this post was made for... I would put it in the invitations like “please join us for our ceremony only on blank at blank o’clock, due to covid we are required to have all guests leave by blank o’clock” set the expectations before people come out. I hope this helps Moriah and I’m so sorry for all the comments, best of luck!!

My whole first wedding was 50 guests well before COVID was even a thing. I don’t think anyone misunderstood you. Your original post had no mention of the bare minimum of a “cookies and water” reception, which is still a reception. Having your officiant announce that the bride and groom have laid out snacks to go would be a good way to announce the event is over. But language like “take the hint” makes it sound like you jusg don’t want to be a good host.

Yeah I dont understand. You want to kick everyone out so you can take photos? Unfortunately no can do. You can go take photos, but people will linger and they should. There is no polite way to shove them out the door until the venue time ends. You should have enough snacks and water for every single guest to hang around after, you should take some time to say hi to everyone, and you can finish your photos somewhere else if need be (or see if you can pay for another hour at the venue)


I'm a covid bride and get planning a super scaled back wedding, but you still have to be considerate of your guests