Gap in between Ceremony and Reception

As a guest, I would be wondering what I was supposed to do to occupy myself for those 2 hours in between. Is there an area where you can set up yard games like giant jenga, cornhole etc? That would be a great way to occupy guests' time before cocktail hour begins.

Otherwise, is there a reason why you can't start cocktail hour at around 4:00, 4:30 and have cocktail hour start a little sooner?

My MOH was just at a wedding that had this same time gap and she hated it. Guests weren't informed of the gap beforehand and had no clue what to do for 2.5 hours. Is there a reason you can't move your reception and cocktail hour time up?

Yes, the gap is too long. Can you move up cocktail hour? I’d imagine people either get really bored and not stay at the reception long or they go to the bar for two hours in between… not sure what the other options would be.

I dislike gaps that large because it does make me think what am i supposed to do with that time.

Yes, I think that's too long a gap. Find a reception venue that will let you start your cocktail hour at 3:30ish (allowing for travel time between sites.

Hmm 🤔 have me thinking now. If any, what is the gap of your wedding? Is 430-5 any better? How long should bride and groom have for pics? I know my sister had a gap but I was in the wedding so I was out for pictures and don’t know what others did but it’s not like you would’ve left bc hers was on an island.

View Quoted Comment I would make it known there was a gap. I don’t think that was right that the guest weren’t made aware. On our website it’s going to include after ceremony suggestions before cocktail hour as well. Plus I assume time will be eaten up bc of travel to and from ceremony back to hotel that has a shuttle to our reception.

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How much time does it take for travel? Cocktail hour is normally what bridges the gap for guests while the wedding party is taking photos. For our wedding we are planning on having an hour or an hour and a half for a cocktail hour immediately after the ceremony while we finish up group photos on the property (both ceremony and reception are in the same place).

View Quoted Comment 4:30 - 5 is definitely better. Most couples have their cocktail hour while they are taking photos after the ceremony and then join in the main reception.

I personally am not a fan of gaps like that in weddings unless something is set up for guests to do. My FH's sister had a 3 hour gap between her wedding and ceremony and we had nothing to do, we didn't want to change out of our outfits and do something else only to get dressed again, so we just kind of sat around. I would think it would be best to move cocktail hour up or at least provide some form of entertainment for your guests in that gap time.

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The "gap" of time for wedding party pictures should be covered by a hosted cocktail hour. There really is no good reason to have a period of time where your guests are just left to their own devices between your ceremony and reception. Your wedding (ceremony + reception) is one event and should flow from one activity to the next.

Say by word of mouth to your guest (or have a brother/sister/someone responsible to let guest know) to have everyone go to so-and-so bar after the ceremony. Gaps are common and not a big deal if you plan ahead and let people know ahead of time.


I recently went to a Catholic gap wedding where the ceremony couldn’t be any later than 1 and cocktail hour couldn’t be any earlier than 4:30. The bride’s brother was in charge of letting guests know what bar to meet at after church. It worked out perfectly and everyone knew what bar to go to a few days prior because everyone also knew about the gap.

My wedding will have a similar time frame/gap, and growing up, every wedding I remember going to had a gap so I guess I've always considered it normal. Church ceremonies usually have to be earlier in the day (at least most Catholic ones do), and most wedding receptions won't start until later in the afternoon/evening. I live in Los Angeles though, so traffic is always a factor and we want to give people plenty of time to arrive at the venue for cocktail hour.

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They shouldn't have a gap for pictures. That's what cocktail hour is for.

There should not be a gap longer than it takes to drive from ceremony to reception. Even if you can’t make the ceremony later, you can move the reception earlier. Many blank slate venues allow you to start anytime.

Having been to many weddings, gaps longer than 45 minutes drag on and become unbearable for guests if they are just sitting even during cocktail hour over an hour becomes boring.. If it's in the budget what about sending them to a comedy club, karaoke bar ect.

Is this a Catholic wedding by chance? People on this site are really against gaps, and they can be a little annoying but they are so common with Catholic weddings that it's not that big of a deal if your guests are used to it.

View Quoted Comment Yes I can - I was just curious what others thought. Ideally if church could’ve been 3 it would’ve worked better. It’s not the end of the world. More time for bar(s) after reception.

View Quoted Comment No, it was more a personal preference but I wanted to see what others thought as well. Time hasn’t been set so I can still have starting at 4 or 430 but then seemed the night will end quickly. But I guess more time for the bar(s)

View Quoted Comment Yes. I think that sounds good too.