Wedding question - midwestern thing?

[Anonymous]

So one day out of the year you have to eat early? What's the big deal? You can eat dinner past 6:30 the other 364 days.

[Anonymous]

It makes the wedding less of an event and shorter, because people aren't going to stay from 6:30 until midnight without eating dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, in my small-town part of the Midwest, everyone is strapped for cash, so this is the norm. Usually the weddings are afternoon affairs so everyone can go home/to a restaurant to eat dinner in between. The timing on this one is indeed unfortunate. But in my part of the Midwest, people would comment that it was unfortunate timing, but not get up-in-arms that it is cheap and tacky. Because it is a wedding and a happy affair, and there is nothing wrong with "cheap."

+1

You people sound like such snobs. Not everyone has the money to serve a full dinner at their wedding. And 6:30 on a Saturday isn't all that early. It's not like people are coming straight from work.

We eat at 6:30 pm 7 days a week. It IS dinner hour.

For you. This wedding isn't about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, in my small-town part of the Midwest, everyone is strapped for cash, so this is the norm. Usually the weddings are afternoon affairs so everyone can go home/to a restaurant to eat dinner in between. The timing on this one is indeed unfortunate. But in my part of the Midwest, people would comment that it was unfortunate timing, but not get up-in-arms that it is cheap and tacky. Because it is a wedding and a happy affair, and there is nothing wrong with "cheap."

+1

You people sound like such snobs. Not everyone has the money to serve a full dinner at their wedding. And 6:30 on a Saturday isn't all that early. It's not like people are coming straight from work.

We eat at 6:30 pm 7 days a week. It IS dinner hour.

So eat a little earlier for once. What's the big deal about eating at 5:30 instead of 6:30? We often eat dinner at 5:30 or 6:00 on the weekends if we're hungry.

[Anonymous]

Are they trying to make sure all the guests are gone by 9 pm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It makes the wedding less of an event and shorter, because people aren't going to stay from 6:30 until midnight without eating dinner.

Why? You eat beforehand, not after.

[Anonymous]

OP, I hope it's close family or a good friend. Flying all that way for a 2 or 3 hour event?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes the wedding less of an event and shorter, because people aren't going to stay from 6:30 until midnight without eating dinner.

Why? You eat beforehand, not after.

I'm not hungry for dinner at 4:30. You have to get your hair, makeup, etc. done and travel to the church, so it's not like you can start eating at 5:30 and be at the ceremony at 6:30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with the timing? It is normal to eat dinner at 5 or 5:30 in the midwest. I live in the midwest and my dinner parties all start at 4:30 or 5. It's nice and everyone else does the same.

How is that possible? Don't people in the midwest work an 8 hour day, plus time for lunch and a commute, even if it is a short one?

They get to leave early because they are All. Just. So. Nice!

Unlike us dickweeds on the coasts.

I love the term "dickweed!" Haven't heard it for years.

Anyway, late dinners do tend to be the norm on the east and west coasts, and early dinners are more common in the midwest, especially rural areas.

A few years ago my brother was working in Missouri, and I went to visit him there. I was really suprised how things opened and closed earlier there. I even made a comment about it to a store manager and she told me that around there, it was common for the work day to be done and people home by about 4 pm or so. Heck, even tv shows are an hour earlier there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes the wedding less of an event and shorter, because people aren't going to stay from 6:30 until midnight without eating dinner.

Why? You eat beforehand, not after.

I'm not hungry for dinner at 4:30. You have to get your hair, makeup, etc. done and travel to the church, so it's not like you can start eating at 5:30 and be at the ceremony at 6:30.

why can't you eat dinner with your hair and makeup done? Do them at 4 and eat at 5. It's not rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't call it midwestern - more like cheap. Count on a cash bar, if any.

Perhaps drop the value judgment and write "can't afford dinner for all their friends and family" instead of "cheap"?

I would count on a cash bar and a very fun party.

[Anonymous]

You people sound really high maintenance. Snack on leftovers after you do your hair and make-up or pick up something quick to eat on your way to the reception. We did this all the time for weddings growing up and it was no big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes the wedding less of an event and shorter, because people aren't going to stay from 6:30 until midnight without eating dinner.

Why? You eat beforehand, not after.

I'm not hungry for dinner at 4:30. You have to get your hair, makeup, etc. done and travel to the church, so it's not like you can start eating at 5:30 and be at the ceremony at 6:30.

why can't you eat dinner with your hair and makeup done? Do them at 4 and eat at 5. It's not rocket science.

Gee, I don't know. Why would I put lipstick on before I ate? I just think the bride and groom could have been more considerate of their guests. In reality, most midwestern punch and cookies receptions, those without live music, don't last long, so it's not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

A good number of DCUMers eat dinner before 6:30, if not how do these 7pm bedtimes work?

Eat before and you will be hungry for dessert by 7.

[Anonymous]

This thread makes me want to move back to the Midwest.