Just a quickie... how long should I allow for my church ceremony...

Hi chelsea girl i am havin a church wedding and our priest told us our timing could be anywhere from 30 mins to an hour and half it all depends on how many readings hymes and speeces we have i am opting for 2 hymes and maybe 2 readings and no speeces so he said that should talk no longer than half and houe but have giving 45 mins as we know it doesnt always go to timings lol hope this helps

Hello

our vicar has told us that our service should take about 45min, we are having the full service 2 hyms and 2 readings.

We had 2 hymns and 2 readings, took about 45 mins I think.

I would say your estimates are pretty spot on. Reception time will also depend on how liong you are going to take for photos.

Cool thanks, yeah photos can't forget them.

Though how long that will take could be another dilemma - I'll be like 'make sure my eyes aren't closed' ' make sure i haven't got a double chin' I'm going to be a nightmare!!

Plus is it wrong to think I would like to have time to have a little mingle at the drinks reception and have some of these nice canapes I'm paying for!?!?

Ok - to give you an accurate idea of timings, I am going to bombard you with questions I am afaid:

• How many hymns/readings?
• How many guests?
• Are you having any photos taken at the Church or all at the reception venue?
• What style of photography are you going for (formal or reportage)?
• How far is the Church from the reception venue?
• Are you having a receiving line?
• How many courses are you having?
• How many people will speak?
• Are you having more guests at the evening reception? If so, what time have you invited them for (that way I can count backwards)

Sorry if that seems overwhelming - it is the only way to get the timings right!

No thank you - i need all the help I can get!

• How many hymns/readings? Well not sure, but I've booked a choir and I think I'd defo want 2-3 readings (is 3 too many? I can make sure they are short!?)
• How many guests? 80-90
• Are you having any photos taken at the Church or all at the reception venue? We want some photos at the church, then we are going to a view point (5mins away) and then to the venue (5mins away)
• What style of photography are you going for (formal or reportage)? bit of both
• How far is the Church from the reception venue? literally 5mins
• Are you having a receiving line? wasn't going to but open to ideas. I want to make an entrance and be announced when everyone is already seated - not that I'm big headed but hey it my wedding!
• How many courses are you having? 3
• How many people will speak? possibly 3
• Are you having more guests at the evening reception? If so, what time have you invited them for (that way I can count backwards) Yes and not too sure yet but approx 35..

Ok - I would suggest the following:

• 13:00-13:45 Ceremony
• 13:45 - 14:05 Photos at Church
• 14:05-14:30 Photos at viewing spot
• 14:30-15:00 Guests to travel to venue (allowing for overflow on photos/people straggling etc)
• 15:00-16:30 Drinks Reception (this is maybe a little too long - depends if you're having more photos - if you go for this long, I would recommend serving some food - canapes for example)
• 16:30-17:00 Guests sit down (never underestimate how long this will take!)
• 17:00 - 19:15 Meal
• 19:15-19:45 Speeches
• 20:00 - evening guests arrive

This should have enough overflow time built in that your evening guests won't arrive before the end of the speeches (which is awful), but nor will your day guests will be hanging around waiting for the evening to start

Hope this helps