Evening Only (Ceremony at 5pm)

Hi! Yes, we're planning to kick off around 4pm for the ceremony, and have a buffet 'high tea' with a pie supper later. Our venue is on an island so hopefully it'll give stragglers time to get there (we're doing a whole weekend because, well, we must be mad!).

Be interested to hear what thoughts are about how often people need feeding (on the basis that our friends like a drink or ten!)

Have to say I always prefer an evening only wedding - when there's a long gap between ceremony and food I have a habit of concealing social awkwardness with getting very drunk and a bit hangry!

Your caterers will only need final numbers 4-6 weeks before the wedding. So you give them a rough estimate of your numbers in advance and they'll send a quote based on that, with the final cost dependent on final numbers once your RSVPs have come in. They will advise you of the amount of food needed per person.

I think it's a very sensible idea to keep costs down; better to give guests an amazing evening than a sub-standard all day event in my eyes! A lot of American weddings start at this time anyway; my best friend in South Carolina had her ceremony at 5pm, then we went and partied for the rest of the night, and her venue had multiple food stations. It was epic! As you mentioned, people will generally eat in the day anyway.

A hog roast always goes down well. I think it sounds great! Maybe have a nice brunch for you and your bridesmaids whilst you're getting ready during the day, that would be really special for you and your bridal party!

Enjoy x

Same as above, let your caterer know the maximum for costing purposes, then confirm the numbers once the RSVPs come in. Caterer will know how much food to do.

While this sounds like a great idea to keep costs down, are you getting married in the UK? My local registry office said the latest they'd do a wedding would be 3pm, though I guess it might be different with a church or different registry offices.

Just something to keep in mind / double check x

Thank you to all that replied.

We are getting married in Wales (UK) I have checked with the registrar and they are happy with this time which is great for us.

I appreciate all the replies this is great, a really good help in terms of getting things organised I dont have many people I can talk to about costings and such that were married in this decade!!

I am just really worried that there wont be enough food for people. As people tend to remember weddings based on bad food experiences ?

Thanks x

Planning our evening only wedding now! Hope yours was a great success yesterday!! ❤️

Planning our evening only wedding now! Hope yours was a great success yesterday!! ❤️