How long average reception without dancing?

Question

How long would you ordinarily have a reception? My choices are at home with an appetizer reception or in a restaurant with a sit-down dinner. Most weddings I attend seem to go on endlessly (they have dancing) and I leave before it's over. There won't be any dancing at this one. I don't want it too long, but don't want guests to feel like they are being shooed out. The only alcohol I'm providing is a glass of wine to toast although the restaurant (if we choose that venue) has a seperate bar for guests to get drinks.

Answer 1

That sounds boring...... i agree with the first poster.... but i think it would only last maybe 1 1/2 hours.......

Answer 2

In this scenario, I don't think you set any certain amount of time.  If you have a reception at your home, you have your reception until the last guests leave. Further, if your guests know it's just an app reception, it may be that they'll come and go, open house style, so that they're only there for an hour or two but you may have to be there for 3 or 4 or more hours.

If you have it at the restaurant, make sure you have your space for an indefinite amount of time.  (I'm sure the restaurant won't mind if they have a bar for your guests.)

(P.S. this depends upon your family and guests' habits, but if you don't serve any alcohol whatsoever at your home, people probably won't stay very long.)

Answer 3

2 hours, tops.

Answer 4

If you are doing meal, bouquest toss, first dance, eating cake, and other traditional things, but no guests dancing.  I would plan for 3-4 hours.  That is waht my husband and I did for our wedding.  If you are only doing a meal, I would think about 1 hour and 1/2.

Answer 5

I'd say at home with an appetizer reception, maybe 2-3 hours at most. Usually people eat, socialize a bit, then leave.

In a restaurant, with one glass of wine and sit-down dinner, they will more than likely eat, chat just a bit, then leave.

Either way, 2-3 hours max.

Answer 6

I would say still about 2 and a half hours, 2 hours minimum.

Answer 7

Two hours should be enough for an appetizer reception. For a lunch at a restaurant, guests will start leaving naturally when the meal is over. If you decide to have the reception at home, just put the start and end time of the reception on the invite: "Cake and hors d'oeuvre reception to follow at the Smith home from 3 PM to 5 PM."

Answer 8

It's a pity u opt for another boring wedding (I'be been to those.)  Well, your choice.  I think an average boring wedding should last at least  2 hrs.  Enjoy your memorable day!  Best wishes.

Answer 9

it depends more on your preference. if you are having a smaller wedding (less people), it depends on the formality you want. if you are having a formal wedding, i would go with the restaurant. if you are having a more informal wedding, i would say the at-home one. if it is a bigger event, you could run into problems with both situations.

Answer 10

Depends on how fast everything is served and how many guests.

At a restaurant for 40 guests (for ex.) it can take a good 30 minutes just to take everyone's order (if you do a set menu with different choices to choose from).  Then you figure about 30 minutes or so for them to get all the food out at once, 30 minutes for eating and drinking.  All in all, I would say about 2 to 2.5 hours.

At home...much longer.  People will snack and talk and eat and chat and drink and talk.  It can go on for hours and hours...you know how you always get those guests that even if you yawn, put your PJs on, start cleaning up, they are still there in the dining room hanging out??? LOL

Answer 11

If you have your reception at a restaurant, guests will be treated to a lovely meal, a toast, have a chance to congratulate the couple, and then leave.  That is fine.

If you have the reception in a home, guests will be more inclined to stick around longer and you may feel pressure to "entertain" them via socializing.  You may also end up feeling like you are "shooing" them when you wish for the socializing to be over.

Given your original question, I would suggest a restaurant.  Be sure to word your invitations accordingly, at the end of the invitation:  "Lunch immediately following at RESTAURANT NAME/ADDRESS" so guests know they are being to lunch and they can dress accordingly based on the restaurant and the wedding style.

You may also prearrange with the restaurant to offer a few select meals (ie. chicken, steak, or pasta plus a salad/dessert) and include with your invite on the RSVP which main meal the guests prefer so that the restaurant knows in advance what they are preparing and how much.  That will ensure things go much more smoothly.