The Duration Of The Average Wedding Reception: A Guide

The average wedding reception lasts 4-6 hours, though this can vary depending on cultural traditions, personal preferences, region, age group, and the general social-ness of your guests. For traditional Western weddings, the reception typically lasts 4-5 hours, while Indian weddings can last 4-6 hours or even 2-5 days.

4-5 hours for cocktails, dinner, toasts, and dancing

A crucial element of wedding reception planning is crafting a well-honed timeline for the evening. Your typical wedding reception runs about 4-5 hours—plenty of time for cocktails, dinner, toasts and, of course, dancing!

After the ceremony, guests will head to the reception and get started mingling and enjoying cocktails and appetizers. Cocktail hour is 60 minutes of hors d'ouerves and mingling guests and signature cocktails. Followed by your newly married self- grand entrance into the reception which will kick off the festivities. Formal dances- 15 minutes- followed by dinner-45 minutes and cake and people saying nice things about you-15 minutes, lead to the epic dance party where your guests will have the time of their lives shaking it to Ed Sheeran- 1.5.

Receptions tend to wrap up between 11 pm and 1 am, so generally the whole day is around 12 hours! Most I've been to/seen are around 5-6 hours total, with 1-1.5 hours for ceremony and cocktail hour and the rest for dinner and dancing. 3-4 hours for dinner and dancing seems fairly standard.

The reception part of our wedding is starting around 7:30 pm and ending at 1 am. Ceremony is 2-2:30 pm Drinks/Canapés for guests & photos for us approx 2:30/3-4 pm Cake cutting/seated/speeches approx 4-4:30/5 pm Dinner approx 4:30/5-7 pm Reception: 7:30 pm-1 am.

All told, your entire wedding event will span about six hours—for example, an evening wedding that begins at 5 pm will end at around 11 pm. This includes the following major events: Your wedding ceremony, which typically lasts about 30 minutes.

6 hours for ceremony, drinks, dinner, and cake cutting

A crucial element of wedding reception planning is crafting a well-honed timeline for the evening. Your typical wedding reception runs about 4-5 hours—plenty of time for cocktails, dinner, toasts and, of course, dancing! Follow this foolproof wedding reception timeline to ensure a smooth, fun-filled evening of celebration for you and your guests.

The reception part of our wedding is starting around 7:30 pm and ending at 1 am. Ceremony is 2-2:30 pm Drinks/Canapés for guests & photos for us approx 2:30/3-4 pm Cake cutting/seated/speeches approx 4-4:30/5 pm Dinner approx 4:30/5-7 pm Reception: 7:30 pm-1 am.

All told, your entire wedding event will span about six hours—for example, an evening wedding that begins at 5 pm will end at around 11 pm. This includes the following major events: Your wedding ceremony, which typically lasts about 30 minutes; Cocktail hour is 60 minutes of Hors D’ouerves and mingling guests and signature cocktails. Followed by your newly married self- grand entrance into the reception which will kick off the festivities. Formal dances- 15 minutes- followed by dinner-45 minutes and cake and people saying nice things about you-15 minutes, lead to the epic dance party where your guests will have the time of their lives shaking it to Ed Sheeran- 1.5.

In the U.K. ceremonies tend to take place between 11 am (at the earliest) and 3 pm (generally the latest). Receptions tend to wrap up between 11 pm and 1 am, so generally the whole day is around 12 hours! Definitely longer than US weddings based on what I’ve seen here. ... We’re looking at about 7 including ceremony. ... Most I've been to/seen are around 5-6 hours total, with 1-1.5 hours for ceremony and cocktail hour and the rest for dinner and dancing. 3-4 hours for dinner and dancing seems fairly standard.

Take a look and make adjustments to accommodate your style, guests and venue. Download the For Your Party Wedding Reception Timeline

3-4 hours for dinner and dancing

A crucial element of wedding reception planning is crafting a well-honed timeline for the evening. Your typical wedding reception runs about 4-5 hours—plenty of time for cocktails, dinner, toasts and, of course, dancing!

Receptions tend to wrap up between 11pm and 1am, so generally the whole day is around 12 hours! Most I've been to/seen are around 5-6 hours total, with 1-1.5 hours for ceremony and cocktail hour and the rest for dinner and dancing. 3-4 hours for dinner and dancing seems fairly standard.

All told, your entire wedding event will span about six hours—for example, an evening wedding that begins at 5 p.m will end at around 11 p.m. This includes the following major events: Your wedding ceremony, which typically lasts about 30 minutes; cocktail hour is 60 minutes of Hors D’ouerves and mingling guests and signature cocktails; formal dances- 15 minutes; dinner-45 minutes; cake and people saying nice things about you-15 minutes, lead to the epic dance party where your guests will have the time of their lives shaking it to Ed Sheeran- 1.5.

At that current moment the Bride will ask well what’s the big deal??

In the U.K. ceremonies tend to take place between 11am (at the earliest) and 3pm (generally the latest). Receptions tend to wrap up between 11pm and 1am, so generally the whole day is around 12 hours! Definitely longer than US weddings based on what I’ve seen here.

7 hours for ceremony, drinks, dinner, and dancing

A crucial element of wedding reception planning is crafting a well-honed timeline for the evening. Your typical wedding reception runs about 4-5 hours—plenty of time for cocktails, dinner, toasts and, of course, dancing! Follow this foolproof wedding reception timeline to ensure a smooth, fun-filled evening of celebration for you and your guests.

The reception part of our wedding is starting around 7:30 pm and ending at 1 am. Ceremony is 2-2:30 pm Drinks/Canapés for guests & photos for us approx 2:30/3-4 pm Cake cutting/seated/speeches approx 4-4:30/5 pm Dinner approx 4:30/5-7 pm Reception: 7:30 pm-1 am.

Most I've been to/seen are around 5-6 hours total, with 1-1.5 hours for ceremony and cocktail hour and the rest for dinner and dancing. 3-4 hours for dinner and dancing seems fairly standard.

In the U.K. ceremonies tend to take place between 11 am (at the earliest) and 3 pm (generally the latest). Receptions tend to wrap up between 11 pm and 1 am, so generally the whole day is around 12 hours! Definitely longer than US weddings based on what I’ve seen here.

All told, your entire wedding event will span about six hours—for example, an evening wedding that begins at 5 p.m will end at around 11 p.m. This includes the following major events: Your wedding ceremony, which typically lasts about 30 minutes

5-6 hours for cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing

Most wedding receptions last around 5-6 hours, with 1-1.5 hours for the ceremony and cocktail hour, and the rest for dinner and dancing.

The reception can start around 7:30 pm and end at 1 am. The whole wedding event will span about six hours, including the ceremony, which typically lasts about 30 minutes.

In the U.K., ceremonies tend to take place between 11 am (at the earliest) and 3 pm (generally the latest). Receptions tend to wrap up between 11 pm and 1 am, so generally the whole day is around 12 hours!

In the U.S., most weddings are around 5-6 hours, with 3-4 hours for dinner and dancing and 1-1.5 hours for the ceremony and cocktail hour.

A crucial element of wedding reception planning is crafting a well-honed timeline for the evening.

Frequently asked questions