Bridal party etiquette, when is it ok to leave the reception?

[Chrissy P]

I have a friend getting married, and I'm a bridesmaid. She's getting married out of state, and is having the reception a week later in her home town, which is a little over an hour from where I live. The bride has kindly offered to let us stay at her house, but my fiancee and I would prefer to go home. (There aren't any events the next day). My question is, are we expected to stay until the end of the reception, (which may last until the wee hours of the morning), or is it ok to leave after 10 or 11pm? I want to be a good bridesmaid, and I'm not quite sure how this works...

[Survivors Ready?]

Since the reception is actually taking place a week after the actual ceremony, you don't need to hang around to the end to help the bride. You may what to wait until all the "traditional" rituals are through, but customarily, it's ok to leave after the cake cutting.

[rhianna_cerridwen]

you need to stay long enough to do the dance, the toast, the cake and all of that. Honestly, tell her that you really appreciate her letting your stay but you would be more comfortable heading home. promise that you will be responsible drivers as far as drinking goes and ask her of its okay if you head out after 10 or 11! Im getting married and I think thats DEFINATELY long enough to stay!

[thelxepeia87]

Talk to the bride about it. Let her know you want to go home, and ask her if she would be ok if you left at 10 or whenever. If she asks you to stay, then you should stay, that is part of your duties when you accepted her offer to be a bridesmaid.

[Patty]

You need to stay at least until the cake-cutting and bouquet tossing, etc is all done. Let her know ahead of time (not the day of the wedding, but before that) that you will not be able to stay until the very end. This way she won't be disappointed or hurt if you leave before the night is done. Before you leave that night, make sure that she doesn't need anything, or that you've arranged to have anything she does need taken care of (collecting gifts to bring home, etc). Also, you might want to let the maid of honor and other bridesmaids know that you can't stay the whole time because they might get miffed that you're not there to help clean up (if that's needed). Just keep people in the loop and it should be alright.

[Kjersti G]

I would leave a bit after they cut the cake. Most couples do that towards the end of the reception and thats when most people start to think it's time to go.

[PrettyBright]

Stay at least until after they cut the cake.

If you know that theyr having a last dance. Stay for that. you can even ask her to make sure.

or You can also find out how late is the photographer staying until and leave after that.

[jgf5822]

i would stay for 3 hours. base when to leave on when it starts. just stay for at least 3 hours.