The timings

To be honest i think you've pretty much got it. Personally i might move the evening food to 9pm as they day guests would have only had dinner and ice cream an hour or so ago they may not be as hungry.

Also maybe a bit nearer the time talk to you OH, BM and after about speach times as i thinkyou may need more time than half hour. Love the idea of your ice cream van for pudding!

Sounds amazing! Agree with Sian about the food and the speeches. However this is only a guide, your not going to have your list and start shouting commands at people at specific times " STOP THE SPEECHEES, it's 6:00pm time for dessert" (or at least I hope not) ? Aslong as you have someone keeping an eye on the time it will all run smoothly. x

I'd maybe shave some time off the "free" time and move the hog roast earlier.

I think people will be a bit bored if they have to hang around for almost two hours, especially if the weather isn't very nice.

If it's a self serve style meal, think about how many guests you have and how long it'll take everyone to queue up and get it.

think that's more than enough time, to be honest. Are you providing refreshment when guests arrive? or from 2:45 to 4:30? Because if your guests are coming at 1:30 and not getting any food or drink until 4:30 they might not be happy.

Also, most weddings I've been to have just had the ceremony time on the invite, even if they end up starting a bit later than expected, and if I get an invite that says 2:00, I would arrive earlier than that, so if your invites say 1:30, you could have guests arriving as early as 1.

Thank you, you may be right about speeches! There will be my son (giving me away but he's young and won't want long), myself (short), and OH and BM. Good point. And yes, later is fine for food. We can be flexible about it, perhaps.

The weather WILL be a problem, if it rains. We've got bouncy castle, and football goal, and giant Connect 4, and balls and bats. Hhmmm. I do want plenty of free time. We're quite a small group and will have lots of catching up to do. I'll bear it in mind. It's a self-serve buffet, hadn't thought how long it might take...

Thanks

There will be no refreshments until after the ceremony, then something small (nibbles) and bottles of wine, and the mobile bar will open. That should be okay at that point I'd think.

Good point re the ceremony time. They will have to state 1.30pm to meet the celebrant, ceremony at 2. I was going to email out everyone the format of the day beforehand, as many have children and will no doubt want to plan and know how long each stage is expected to last. It will be on that for sure.

I have never been to a wedding where guests have had to arrive early to meet the celebrant - why do they need to do this?

We are having a humanist ceremony, there will be guests without a defined role as such who will still need to be involved. We may have hand fasting, or other 'group activities'. The aim is for everyone to feel they are part of the ceremony and as such important to us. Also, it's quite an informal set-up so she will get them a bit excited and encourage them to clap and cheer when appropriate and generally enjoy themselves. She'll need a little time to explain things, and to get them in the mood.

Not sure if I'm being daft, but I didn't see first dance on your list...

You're not being daft. We're in two minds about it. Neither of us want to do it so we're trying to think of ways to kick the evening off without it.

Thanks

I totally missed that too!!