What to do between Ceremony/reception?

I do know how your guests can keep busy with themselves and others to mingle in between. The concept of putting restuarants, shopping areas and bars nearby the venue so they can go and enjoy themselves or they would go back to relax before heading over for reception. This would be part of the welcome package provided in the rooms for guests or in the welcome package information.

View quoted message I would put the details of the breweries as a option. Is there anything else nearby?

We have about 2 hours in between. Our ceremony is at 2 so it should be done at 3 and then our cocktail hour starts at 5. Our venue is in a hotel, we are getting married in the courtyard then reception is in their banquet hall. It has a restaurant attached and another in the parking lot so guests will have time to grab a drink there or relax in the courtyard or go to their rooms prior to cocktail hour. Personally weddings where we are normally have a 2-3 hour gap. We generally take that time to have a drink with old friends or family we haven't saw in a long time.

I think if you make a map with a few breweries or scenic spots nearby then people will entertain themselves. To me the tricky bit could be conveying to everyone that they need to leave for a bit during set up, maybe an insert with your invitations (with suggested activities) or a blurb on your wedding website so people can be prepared.

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Are the venue grounds nice? If so, use that time to take group photos outside with the ceremony guests. Depending on how many people you have, an hour will fly right by when taking photos. And when cocktail hour starts, they can go have nibbles and drinks while you and the wedding party take your private photos.

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Are there restaurants nearby? People could go for a quick drink and appetizer there if they aren't up for the breweries.

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It'll be about an hour of a gap, and unfortunately the venue doesn't have a separate space for guests to go while they flip! There are a bunch of breweries around the venue that they recommend people go to between the two but I wanted to give people some other options!

How big of a gap are we talking here?

Normally cocktail hour is held in a separate space from the reception. If your venue is flipping the room from the ceremony to reception, is there not another area that your guests can have cocktails, like a lobby or breakout room?

If that's not possible, you can get photos with the guests who are at the ceremony and then get private photos with just you and your FH or you and the bridal party when cocktail hour happens.