U.S. wedding reception end times?

MikeVic · 06-14-2010, 10:15 AM

I'm going to my first U.S. wedding in July. I'm just wondering whether it's normal for the invitation to say that the reception concludes at 10pm? That seems early, and I've only been to weddings here in Canada where they've run to 1 or 2am.

Is this a normal wedding end-time, or is it based on the area of the U.S. this is taking place in?

cartman · 06-14-2010, 10:17 AM

I haven't heard of that before. They must have a hard stop time in the rental agreement with the location where the reception is being held.

digamma · 06-14-2010, 10:18 AM

Fairly common to have an end time negotiated into your contract with the venue. Usually there will be a spot for the "after party" (a bar or something) if people want to keep hope alive.

Mizzou B-ball fan · 06-14-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

I'm going to my first U.S. wedding in July. I'm just wondering whether it's normal for the invitation to say that the reception concludes at 10pm? That seems early, and I've only been to weddings here in Canada where they've run to 1 or 2am.

Is this a normal wedding end-time, or is it based on the area of the U.S. this is taking place in?

Usually depends on city codes for event spaces. 12:00 AM or 1:00 AM are pretty standard for most cities in the U.S. Our winery has a 1:00 AM cutoff.

MrBug708 · 06-14-2010, 10:18 AM

It's likely a reception rental issue

wade moore · 06-14-2010, 10:18 AM

Well, depends on start time for one...

Celeval · 06-14-2010, 10:19 AM

I've been to both types. A lot depends on the place the reception is taking place. With a 10:00 listed end, it could finish at 10 or 11, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was an "afterparty" someplace, depending on the ages of the people involved (and, for that matter, how close the various sets of people invited to the wedding are).

Logan · 06-14-2010, 10:19 AM

Early end time as long as it's starting at a normal time (6-7pm).

Lathum · 06-14-2010, 10:23 AM

Most I have seen go until 10 or 11 with an afterparty.

Usually cocktail hour at about 4/5 and reception starts 5/6 and lasts 4-5 hours.

albionmoonlight · 06-14-2010, 10:34 AM

I'm sure that the 10:00 was a rule by the venue. It was probably a hard 3 hour rental or something like that.

But, as others have noted, a lot of weddings have informal after-parties. Even if it is just a group of friends all deciding to hit the same bar.

Honolulu_Blue · 06-14-2010, 10:34 AM

Yeah, lots of places have rental agreements that state that the party has to be over by a certain time. It's usually tied to how much you pay for the "open bar" in those ocassions.

Lady H_B and I got married in Brussels and we rented a space for the reception, including both the dinner and party. In think, in total, we had the room from around 7 pm - midnight. However, the guys serving the party were having such a good time, that they kept the bar open and let everyone stay there dancing and drinking until eventually I had to shut things down at around 3:30 am. I was terrified at the extra costs we would have to pay because we ran so far over, but when I talked to the manager the morning after he said that we wouldn't have to pay a dime (or Euro centeen as the case was) extra because they were the ones who decided to keep it going. Good times!

Danny · 06-14-2010, 10:59 AM

My wedding wrapped up around 2am or so, but we had the hall until whenever it ended.

MikeVic · 06-14-2010, 11:10 AM

Thanks guys, just curious if this was normal for a U.S. wedding or something. It probably is a hall rental thing. Supposed to be some nice place in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania? There better be an after-party!

DanGarion · 06-14-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

I'm going to my first U.S. wedding in July. I'm just wondering whether it's normal for the invitation to say that the reception concludes at 10pm? That seems early, and I've only been to weddings here in Canada where they've run to 1 or 2am.

Is this a normal wedding end-time, or is it based on the area of the U.S. this is taking place in?

It depends on the venue, many places in SoCal only allow the venue to be used for 5-6 hours due to ABC licensing laws. We had our reception till like 7 or 8 and then we went to our inlaws for more party time there.

Also I would assume it depends on the day, a Sunday wedding reception would end earlier since most people would work the next day.

DaddyTorgo · 06-14-2010, 11:35 AM

You married suckers.

LOL

06-14-2010, 10:17 AM	#2
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	I haven't heard of that before. They must have a hard stop time in the rental agreement with the location where the reception is being held. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

06-14-2010, 10:34 AM	#11
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	Yeah, lots of places have rental agreements that state that the party has to be over by a certain time. It's usually tied to how much you pay for the "open bar" in those ocassions. Lady H_B and I got married in Brussels and we rented a space for the reception, including both the dinner and party. In think, in total, we had the room from around 7 pm - midnight. However, the guys serving the party were having such a good time, that they kept the bar open and let everyone stay there dancing and drinking until eventually I had to shut things down at around 3:30 am. I was terrified at the extra costs we would have to pay because we ran so far over, but when I talked to the manager the morning after he said that we wouldn't have to pay a dime (or Euro centeen as the case was) extra because they were the ones who decided to keep it going. Good times! __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

06-14-2010, 11:35 AM	#15
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	You married suckers. LOL __________________ If I've ever helped you and you'd like to buy me a coffee, or just to say thanks, I have my Bitcoin and Ethereum addressed listed below :) BTC: bc1qykhsfyn9vw4ntqfgr0svj4n9tjdgufryh2pxn5 ETH: 0x2AcdC5cd88EA537063553F5b240073bE067BaCa9

06-14-2010, 10:18 AM	#3
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	Fairly common to have an end time negotiated into your contract with the venue. Usually there will be a spot for the "after party" (a bar or something) if people want to keep hope alive.

06-14-2010, 10:18 AM	#5
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	It's likely a reception rental issue

06-14-2010, 10:19 AM	#7
Celeval Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Cary, NC, USA	I've been to both types. A lot depends on the place the reception is taking place. With a 10:00 listed end, it could finish at 10 or 11, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was an "afterparty" someplace, depending on the ages of the people involved (and, for that matter, how close the various sets of people invited to the wedding are).

06-14-2010, 10:19 AM	#8
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	Early end time as long as it's starting at a normal time (6-7pm).

06-14-2010, 10:23 AM	#9
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	Most I have seen go until 10 or 11 with an afterparty. Usually cocktail hour at about 4/5 and reception starts 5/6 and lasts 4-5 hours.

06-14-2010, 10:34 AM	#10
albionmoonlight Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	I'm sure that the 10:00 was a rule by the venue. It was probably a hard 3 hour rental or something like that. But, as others have noted, a lot of weddings have informal after-parties. Even if it is just a group of friends all deciding to hit the same bar.

06-14-2010, 10:59 AM	#12
Danny Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	My wedding wrapped up around 2am or so, but we had the hall until whenever it ended.

06-14-2010, 11:10 AM	#13
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Thanks guys, just curious if this was normal for a U.S. wedding or something. It probably is a hall rental thing. Supposed to be some nice place in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania? There better be an after-party!

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