I know this topic as been brought up before but I have a different element. I was diagnosed with a heart condition that causes me severe pain in my back and legs if standing to long and it also causes me to pass out. This is because my heart rate and blood pressure rise an fall too quickly. My parents and I have been thinking about having the ceremony mid afternoon and having a cocktail reception about 3 hours later. When I get stressed my symptoms flare up worse than normal so we felt that having the time lapse would help me better enjoy the reception. Especially since we (my family and the groom's family) love to have fun and dance. During the time lapse we felt the guests could eat, we would be willing to arrange transportation and arrange reservations. We live in a town that has a beautiful downtown area overlooking the TN river with many wonderful restuarants and hotels (we are having the reception downtown by the river). However my fiance's parents feel that this would be really rude and that people wouldn't come. I can't seem to get across to them that the reason we want to do this is because of my health. I really want to be able to enjoy my wedding and not worry about my health or draw attention to myself because i am not feeling well or passing out. How should I handle the situation? Has anyone had a similar situation? Any advice would be apprecitated
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Post #2 of 2
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Re: Time gap between ceremony and Reception
[In reply to]
Dear AUBride,
Your future inlaws are correct. This is very impolite to expect your guests to watch the ceremony, go off and feed themselves, and then return for cocktails.
And, yes. Many of us have health issues that require that we don't stand for long periods and to stay away from stress. What we do is to either sit as much as possible or use a wheelchair. You could even sit during the ceremony. Many of us do. Resting directly before the ceremony is best as well.
There really is no valid reason to make your guests wait 3 hours. In fact, if you schedule your reception during a time your guests expect a meal, you are expected to provide it. If you do not want to do this, it would be best not to invite guests, because when you do, you are then a host. Hosts cater to their guests and care about their comfort.
Time gap between ceremony and Reception
