What time do weddings usually end?

Question

We're in the process of booking our wedding and have been offered a Sunday from the venue. We're fine with this but the venue only has a bar licence until 10.30 on a Sunday. I haven't been to many weddings myself so I was wondering what time weddings typically wound down?

Also, any ideas on what we can do to 'entertain' the guests after half 10? We were thinking about setting off sky lanterns or a band to play later on.

Answer 1

it depends on wat time the wedding reception starts.

Answer 2

well  every wedding i been to ended at  9 ish esp on a sunday  a friend of mine that got married a few weeks ago an i was a bridesmaid.  our time frame was nice. we got up at 7 am  went to a salon to do our hair  and makeup got back to the house at 1030 ish had a few drinks got dressed at 11.00 just when the photo people arrived left to the church at noon. and started the wedding at one done with the wedding at 2pm then did more photos at the church for a hr. then head off to the beach for another hr or two reaching the hotel at 4 pm again did some more pics  reception started at 5 pm  with the meal starting at  5 30  and ended at 9 pm it was plenty of time we didn't feel rushed and then well crash it was a long day. if you want to do something after  10 pm if the wedding is near someones home i say have people go over for some night caps. but honestly most people would like to go home esp if they have to work monday.

Answer 3

whenever you like

Answer 4

hey dear congratulation abt ur wed. normaly it ends at 12  midnight. i had mine from 6 to 12. good luck

Answer 5

Most weddings I've attended have had the dance end around 11 or 12, but they have been Saturday weddings. With a Sunday wedding I would feel that people wouldn't be as likely to be "partying it up" since they have and  ending at 11 and stopping serving drinks at 10:15/10:30 sounds good to me. Just because they only have a bar license until 10:30 doesn't mean that you can't stay around a while and be social (or set off sky lanterns). Many people leave by that time anyway.  

Answer 6

sounds like a great idea!

well im mexican american and we can PARRRRTY! so my wedding reception was from 8pm - 2am and than an after party at my parents that ended at 6am ...lol

seems like you got a great plan though....GOOD LUCK WITH ALL

Answer 7

My wedding was on a Friday.  We allowed 1/2 hour for the ceremony (6:30-7) then 1 hr for the cocktail hour (7-8) and 4 hours for the reception.  That is fairly common.  

Since your venue ends so early for the alcohol, you could do a quick dress change and have everyone meet up somewhere afterwards.  A local bar or restaurant perhaps?  You don't have to entertain everyone.  I'm sure your guests will all be mingling by then and having a good time.  Just make sure that you have designated drivers if they are going to be traveling around.  My reception was at a hotel, so I didn;t really have to worry about anyone driving after the reception, they could just stay overnight.

Answer 8

Normally finish up around midnight - 1am.

If the venue you have booked stops serving at 1030pm, then think about fireworks or sky lanters. I don't recommend the band, as people that dance will want a drink.

Answer 9

Well, considering the wedding is on a Sunday, I think 11-11:30 is a good ending time because I know I wouldnt want to have to take monday off work if I could avoid it.  Last call for drinks will be around 10:15, people get a last drink and then have time to chat a bit while finishing it and can leave around 11pm.  

Answer 10

We are getting married in June and have 200 guests (including kids) so we are getting married at 1 and sitting down the meal at around 3.30. The band is coming on at 7 and will play till 10. the bar is open till 1.00 a.m and whoever wants to stay drinking after the reception ends can, dont feel you have to entertain them as officially once the band winds up then people start to leave anyway.

We wanted a couple of hours to ourselves anyway  before going to bed as it will have been a really tiring day.

good luck on your wedding.

Answer 11

We are doing ours from about 9am-4pm, that way it was cheaper. As for what you can do, you could ask if you could purchase drinks from them do be drank latter that night IE a keg, or a cask of wine.

Answer 12

since it is on a Sunday, I would have it end earlier since may guest will most likely have to work on Monday. My wedding was on a Friday and we stated at 7 and it ended around 11.

Answer 13

I think weddings usually end at 11 or 12, everyone will probably have gotten all their drinks by the time they close, and I dont think you will need to do anything extra to entertain your guests, Im sure they'll still be dancing or talking

*What time does your wedding start?

Answer 14

Just because the bar stops serving at 10.30 doesn`t mean the party has to end.  You could provide bottle of wine on the tables after this time, or you could warn the guests to get their drinks for the night before 10.30.

My evening reception/disco finished at 1am, with the bar running until midnight then it was only guests of the hotel who could put drinks onto their room bill.  Quite a lot of the guests had left by then anyway, and we left at about 12.15 as it had been such a long day.

The sky lanterns and band are a lovely idea.

Answer 15

Depends on the crowd you are inviting.... but generally speaking weddings held at reception centres usually wrap up between 11pm -12midnight, with the bride & groom departing by 11.30pm.

Remember, people work at these function centres & restaurants, & granny has to get home and the bride & groom have to get to their hotel room !!

10.30pm is acceptable, as long as you indicate this to your guests (this is up  to Maid of Honour & Best Man to organise to communicate to people on the night), and a 'last call' is called at 10.15pm so people can 'stock up'.

Don't forget people have to work Monday.....  so if you are a party family, that drink like fish, I would change venue to get a Saturday night with later bar etc ....