What was your shortest event (wedding)?

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
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Dec 9, 2009
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This past Saturday, I just had my shortest ever wedding reception. Two hours, complete with all the regular events and dinner. Ceremony at 1p and they showed up for GE at 2:15p. At 4:05p I played their final dance and lined everyone up for a bubble send off. Was surprised at how smooth and un-rushed the timeline felt and the clients seemed thrilled with everything. We almost took as much time for load/strike than we did playing. How about you? What's your shortest event?
 
rickryan.com said:
This past Saturday, I just had my shortest ever wedding reception. Two hours, complete with all the regular events and dinner. Ceremony at 1p and they showed up for GE at 2:15p. At 4:05p I played their final dance and lined everyone up for a bubble send off. Was surprised at how smooth and un-rushed the timeline felt and the clients seemed thrilled with everything. We almost took as much time for load/strike than we did playing. How about you? What's your shortest event?
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I have had receptions scheduled for 3-4 hours get cut extremely short (once lasting only about 1 hour) but those were all (mabye 3-4 in all my years), as I recall, very small (<50 people) groups of mostly out-of-towners, at night and always in a space that was in or near the French Quarter. The nocturnal lure of the Vieux Carre' is an opposing and stalwart force for many first time visitors and even the Guests of Honor...although not much "honor" to be experienced in the infamous French Quarter, lol.

3 hours is minimal for traditional receptions..although, of late, that is currently in flux.
 
Had one that was short because the bride wanted me to play only her requests, and only in the order she gave me.
The other was on a Sunday, started well before noon and had no alcohol.

But the shortest SCHEDULED gig was a "ceremony only" job I had a few Summer's ago.
It was less than 3 hours from the time I left the house till the time I got back.
 
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wifedj said:
I have had receptions scheduled for 3-4 hours get cut extremely short (once lasting only about 1 hour) but those were all (mabye 3-4 in all my years), as I recall, very small (<50 people) groups of mostly out-of-towners, at night and always in a space that was in or near the French Quarter. The nocturnal lure of the Vieux Carre' is an opposing and stalwart force for many first time visitors and even the Guests of Honor...although not much "honor" to be experienced in the infamous French Quarter, lol.

3 hours is minimal for traditional receptions..although, of late, that is currently in flux.
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Yea, I had one at a country club where the B&G and their bridal party left as soon as the GE was over. I felt so sorry for the MOB, with a roomful of guests and looking around and asking where her daughter had gone. That one was shorter, but it obviously did not have all the traditional elements. On this one, the photog was part of the problem, both being slow after the ceremony and insisting on getting B&G alone shots (which she'd failed to take earlier). The couple had also booked a honeymoon flight, which was leaving at 5:30p. Still, I felt pretty good in that I was able to get all the events in and was able to get her a mini-dance segment in. Of course, at a non-alcoholic, Church of Christ wedding you never really expect it to turn into a barn-burner of a party. Also got full rate.
 
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Did an anniversary party last year.... where i played jazz for dinner...and 7 dance songs ...took about an hour and a half... its what they booked...all they wanted...and they danced and loved it.

cc
 
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I did a 1 HOUR School dance once.

3 Hour ceremony and reception was the shortest booking. That turned into 3.5 hours though...mainly because the parents of the groom were incredibly late showing up to the ceremony. The ceremony started 45 minutes late.

I have had "hanging out" and conversation at a friend's house easily turn into 3 hours long. How can anybody realistically have a fun time at a wedding ceremony and reception that is only 3 hours long? Four Hours at the very minimum imo is what is needed, and that is assuming ceremony start's on time, is super quick, and the catering is on point! Otherwise, 5 hours is what is needed for all of that.
 
DJ Ricky B said:
How can anybody realistically have a fun time at a wedding ceremony and reception that is only 3 hours long? .
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Especially if it includes ceremony, cocktails, dinner, special dances, etc.

DJ Ricky B said:
Four Hours at the very minimum imo is what is needed, and that is assuming ceremony start's on time, is super quick, and the catering is on point!
Otherwise, 5 hours is what is needed for all of that.
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Most venues near me have a standard 5-hour package.
And that seems to be the perfect length...not too much, not too little.
 
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Ausumm said:
DJ Ricky B said:
How can anybody realistically have a fun time at a wedding ceremony and reception that is only 3 hours long? Four Hours at the very minimum imo is what is needed, and that is assuming ceremony start's on time, is super quick, and the catering is on point! Otherwise, 5 hours is what is needed for all of that.
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Especially if it includes ceremony, cocktails, dinner, special dances, etc.

Most venues near me have a standard 5-hour package.
And that seems to be the perfect length...not too much, not too little.
Click to expand...
Fun is a consequence of degree not duration.

I suspect a 1 hour, excting & fun reception is WAAAAAY better than some 5 hour marathon stamina contest.
 
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wifedj said:
Fun is a consequence of degree not duration.

I suspect a 1 hour, excting & fun reception is WAAAAAY better than some 5 hour marathon stamina contest.
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Well, that is the beauty of a 5-hour package for a wedding.
One hour of cocktails, one hour of dinner...
and you have a nice 3-hour party.

One hour is great...as long as they aren't slow starters!
 
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