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Dedicated August 2023

Please help me decide if we need to add time at the venue

Kristina, on June 28, 2023 at 2:35 PM Posted in Planning 0 4
Hello!


We're planning a small wedding for 8/14/23. We have the venue, catering is almost figured out (just have to sign contract and choose which dishes), photographer is picked out (just need to sign contract), and pretty much all else is done. Can anyone take a look at my timeline and tell me if we need more than an 8 hour rental for the venue?
Guests: 50 or lessHair/makeup only for bride at a salon down the street from the venue (before venue rental)
2:00: arrive at venue/set up centerpieces and drink station/give bartender beer and wine
2:30: photographer arrives
3:00: getting ready photos/bartender starts serving drinks to bridal party/early guests
3:30: first look, bridal party photos, some family photos
4:30: ceremony
5:00: welcome guests, finish family photos
5:45: food should be set up, start eating by 6:00
7:00: cake cutting/dancing/music/mingling
9:00: reception ends
10:00: end of rental
Somewhere in there, I'll have family help put away the food, help with throwing out trash (empty cups, plates, etc.) I have aunts, uncles a d cousins who have all offered to help,so by the time 9:00 rolls around, most trash should be picked up. We would just need to put up the centerpieces, grab our things from the rooms, and get any unopened beer and wine from the bartender. We have the bartender for 6 hours. Any extra hours we request would cost $125/hour and we're trying to keep everything under $10,000. Most of our guests don't dance and everyone is very laid back.
I appreciate any input!

4 Comments

Latest activity by Kristina, on July 2, 2023 at 5:59 PM
  • Kelly
    Super October 2023
    Kelly ·
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    I think that sounds good. If you really feel you need extra time in the moment, it sounds like you can extend it. There's also the possibility of an afterparty at a bar or the hotel if you feel you'll need it.

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  • C
    CM ·
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    If there's no cocktail hour, I would want to serve at least a first course shortly after guests are seated in the reception. Cake cutting is way too early. That's the traditional signal that guests can leave. For a small reception that ends as early as 9, I would serve cake no earlier than 8 pm.

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  • K
    Dedicated August 2023
    Kristina ·
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    Thanks! Some guests will be staying in nearby hotels, but some may just want to sleep since they'll be driving around 5 hours.
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  • K
    Dedicated August 2023
    Kristina ·
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    Thanks! I've never heard that about the cake cutting because I assumed guests would want to have cake closer to dinner. Also, from about 5:00-5:45, we'll be doing photos with most, if not all guests, but we'll also have somewhat of a cocktail hour for those who didn't get a drink before the ceremony.
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