Help! Struggling with Reception Timing

Many people here on WW will tell you that a gap is unavoidable. But that is not true. Yes it is inconvenient but it can always be eliminated. You just have to be open to looking outside the box for the reception venues that don’t have a required start time that is several hours after your ceremony ends. Also, while people will tell you is common and expected for guests to go sightseeing/shopping, etc In formalwear, or nap, shower, change clothes, etc...reality is that they will not do any of those things. They will often skip the ceremony, not because they don’t share the beliefs, but because of the inconvenience of the gap and being left to their own devices to entertain themselves. It’s your responsibility as the hosts to make sure they are entertained, taken care of and no gap beyond driving time to the reception. Move the reception up as early as possible if you are unable to move to a different venue. After parties are common on WW for those who wish to party later..where you meet up with guests at another location of your choice for late night snacks. Some bars are an option as long as everyone is of legal age.

Agree with Michelle. I would try to close that gap if you can. You're responsible for the guests from the beginning of the ceremony to the end of the reception.

Can you choose an earlier time and have lunch/brunch immediately following? It would eliminate the gap. And lunch usually costs less than dinner anyway.

I've been to a few Catholic weddings with a gap between the ceremony and reception - they're not ideal, but people will figure out what to do in the down time. I usually go to a bar or back to the hotel (or my house) with other guests and hang out. I'm not sure 30 minutes will make a difference either way - guests will still need to kill time somehow whether it's a 2-hour or 2.5-hour gap and a 9:30pm vs. 10:00pm end time won't make much of a difference to the party feel (you could always arrange an informal after party somewhere - either the hotel everyone's staying at or a nearby bar).