i sent my invitations and forgot to include the reception time and hotel accommodations!!

Is there a gap between ceremony and reception? I don't typically see reception time on the invitation. Regarding hotel block, I would nake sure the information is on your website if you have one or reach out to out of town guests individually.

Did you include a wedding website with your invitations? If so, as a guest I would think to look there. If not, then you might want to send an email to all of your guests letting them know invitations are on there way and that you're emailing additional info.

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Yes there is a gap between the ceremony and cocktail hour/reception. My sister suggested having the priest mention it at the church after the ceremony. I do have my wedding website on the invitation. My dad is actually the one who pointed out to me I didn't put the reception time and then he proceeded to say that older guests/relatives probably won't go online to check.

Have you sent invitations out yet? You could get a small insert printed (like business card sized) for “further information” - include reception start time, hotel info and anything else you want to add on that. Only works if you haven’t sent your invitations yet though…otherwise getting the priest to mention it will work.

Definitely get this information to your guests BEFORE wedding day. Maybe mail a follow up reception details card, or even email.


A happy guest is a guest who knows what to expect and can prepare accordingly, and I am certain if guests didn’t find out about the gap until the priest announced it at the ceremony, there would be an uproar! I’ve seen it happen with smaller, less significant details, but this one is a big one, it affects everyone’s plans for the day. I already don’t like a gap, but if I know ahead of time it exists, I can plan around it — it will change how I get ready, how I eat, what I bring, how I get there, etc, so if I didn’t know til I showed up, I’d definitely be upset. For example, if I think I’m going to a typical wedding where the ceremony immediately follows, I’m expecting food with relative quickness, so I probably didn’t eat before heading to the ceremony, and I’m expecting a long day of party and drinking, so I often will Uber there so I can get a ride home at the end and not have to worry about drinking and driving. So, if I got there and discovered I wasn’t headed to a reception, I’d likely be hungry and without my car , and definitely unhappy! Whereas if I knew ahead of time, I’d have eaten and driven and would be in a good position to enjoy the day.
Mailing Reception and accommodation info would definitely work, but if you want to get info out ASAP, email, text, or even an old fashioned phone call work. Definitely have the info on your website, but it’s true not everyone will look there automatically, but you could even just text the website out and direct people to look at it for reception and hotel info

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Since you are having a gap, which is already an inconvenience to your guests, you absolutely need to communicate the schedule to them ahead of time in a way that you are SURE they will see it (so, it sounds like just posting it on the website won't work). Only having your priest mention it on the day is definitely too late and would be pretty inconsiderate. Either mail out a separate card or call each guest with this new information.

For the record, the hotel info is actually much less of a priority. If people are interested in a hotel block, they can ask you.

View Quoted Comment Wow… I’m sorry that the church I’m getting married at has specific times for ceremonies and my venue has certain times for the reception & they aren’t directly back to back. The time in between is only 2 hours IF that. I’ve been to several weddings and aside from the short ceremonies that took place at the same location as the reception there is ALWAYS a gap in between. My intention is NOT to wait until the day of my wedding to pass the timing information along to our guests. I was just asking for input as to how others have communicated the information to their guests. I wasn’t looking for someone to tell me I’m inconsiderate for making an honest mistake in omitting the time from our invitations considering everything is clearly written out on our website for guests to see. I do appreciate your input however.

Even younger people don’t always visit the website. Mail up a follow up card to everyone asap or get in touch via phone call. Be aware that you may potentially lose guests with a gap longer than driving time to the reception venue.

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I didn't say you are inconsiderate for making a mistake. I only said you *would be* inconsiderate if you don't tell people about the gap ahead of time. Gaps may indeed be common in your circle, but I have literally never been to a wedding with one and I would be really upset to find out at the last minute that I had to find something to do for 2 hours between ceremony and reception.

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dont think they were meaning to be rude. A gap is an inconvenience even if it's common. That doesn't make you a bad person or bad host. I like one of the ideas above asking if you'd sent them out already. If not, you can pretty easily include a little business size card insert, otherwise I would send out a follow-up correction, or send an email, something like that.

Edit: missed in the title where it says "sent". Definitely re-send an insert or personally call and email anyone who RSVP's

View Quoted Comment My intentions are certainly not to leave my guests high and dry for 2 hours trying to figure out what to do. 99% of them are local to where we are getting married so I really don’t think they would have an issue with 2 hours between the ceremony and reception. I simply was asking for advice on the best way to inform guests of the information I had inadvertently missed on our invitations.

A two hour gap is a pretty major thing, so I'd mail new invitations or at the very least, follow-up cards noting this information ASAP.

For the hotel block information, I think you can send an email to the out of town guests and include it on your wedding website. This isn't a big deal.

Yes, you'll need to let people know ahead of time. For out of town folk, the two hour gap will be important to know for planning.

Your sisters idea of having the priest announce it at the ceremony may not be effective, because with gaps, we do see people going to the reception only.