What is a typical timeline for a Saturday Classic Wedding?
Here is a typical timeline for a a 5 p.m. ceremony (choose any time for your ceremony):
Friday – rehearsal at time you reserve. Bring your alcohol and anything else you want us to set up for you the night before
Saturday – arrive at designated time to get ready and have pre-wedding photos
5 p.m. Ceremony
5:20 Ceremony ends – group photo afterward
guests go to cocktail hour; couple and family/wedding party have photos
6:30 announce to reception and have formal dances (first dance, father/daughter, mother/son)
prayer or couple announcement if desired
6:45 dinner buffet
7:45 cut cake if you have one and do toasts if you have them
8 Party dancing and any other special moments
9:30 Last call
9:45 begin send-off or last dance
10 pm. music and event ends
When can we arrive?
Your contract will specify your arrival time. Typically, couples arrive 1 – 4 hours before their ceremony to get ready and have photos on the property.
What happens during cocktail hour?
Whether or not you have actual cocktails or appetizers served, the “cocktail hour” serves as a time after the ceremony for you to have photos with your family and wedding party. Guests typically participate in a group photo and then have time to get a drink, explore the property, have appetizers if you offer them, and listen to the music that has been prepared for the cocktail hour. The time ends with your announcement to the reception.
What happens if it rains?
We have a 900 square foot tent attached to the main house that can cover your ceremony in the event of rain. Our staff will set up the space and then “flip” it for your ceremony while you’re greeting your guests afterwards. Because the tent is attached to the venue, nobody gets wet!
Where does the DJ set up?
The reception DJ has a booth just inside the venue near the bar area. Guests can make requests and the DJ is visible to everyone but not in the background of your wedding photos. If you bring your own DJ, the set up would be next to the power in the corner of the reception tent.
What about sound for the ceremony?
We have a separate sound system for your ceremony that can be taken to the more remote locations of the property, if needed. We have a microphone for your minister and our DJ will play your ceremony sound. If you bring live musicians, such as violinists or soloists, we will support their services.