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Dedicated August 2019

Ceremony start time

Jessica, on June 8, 2019 at 10:04 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 18

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So my ceremony starts promptly 4:30 or we get an additional charge for starting late. When I made my invites I just put ceremony at 4:30 on them. Now I’m getting ready to send the invites but I’m concerned people will arrive late or exactly 4:30 when we’re starting. My question is should I print something up reminding people to arrive 10/15 mins early or is it assumed people will arrive early for a wedding?!

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18 Comments

Latest activity by Brandi, on June 9, 2019 at 2:39 AM

Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on June 8, 2019 at 10:07 AM
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People know to arrive before the ceremony is beginning.
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Master November 2019
Mrs. S · on June 8, 2019 at 10:18 AM
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Just start at 4:30. If they’re late they’re late and they’ll be the awkward ones sneaking in the back. I wouldn’t worry about it.
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Beginner July 2019
Brittany · on June 8, 2019 at 10:26 AM
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I gave my extra guests. This is a “know your crowd” ! Don’t assume people KNOW to get there early
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Beginner July 2019
Brittany · on June 8, 2019 at 10:27 AM
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Gave my guests extra time *
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Master October 2020
Mandi · on June 8, 2019 at 10:30 AM
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I'm chronically late for everything, and even I know to show up early for a wedding.
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Super September 2019
Iva · on June 8, 2019 at 10:44 AM
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This depends on your area & your people & what they are used to. All the weddings we’ve been to had start time on the invite 15-30min before the actual start of ceremony. So I’d probably end up being little late for your wedding.
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Dedicated August 2019
Jessica · on June 8, 2019 at 10:48 AM
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I’m going to put it on the wedding website but I just don’t even know how many people actually look at that, and word of mouth. I just don’t know how to add something to the invites without making it look weird
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Expert September 2019
DuttonSandersWedding · on June 8, 2019 at 10:52 AM
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Everyone in my area always knows to arrive anywhere from 30 to 10 minutes before the start time on the invite.
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Devoted June 2020
Cori · on June 8, 2019 at 11:56 AM
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I would say if it really bothers you, either specify that everything will start promptly at 4:30 or put a start time at like 4:15 to make sure everyone is there; even the late people. I agree with PP that you need to know your crowd if you think that will be an issue.
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on June 8, 2019 at 12:43 PM
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I think the likelihood of some coming on time or late is likely anyway but it would be nice to put a little language in there asking to arrive early to take your seats.
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Expert October 2019
Nykole · on June 8, 2019 at 1:25 PM
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I put the start time as 5 pm on our invitations, but we actually probably won't start until 5:15 because of my side of the family's apparently chronic tendency to run late for everything. Also, we are getting married on a Wednesday at 5pm in Charleston, SC, which is a high traffic area. I made a note on our wedding website under the ceremony details section that seating will begin at 4:45pm. Hopefully, this will deter people from being extremely late. It's definitely a "know your crowd" thing though. Generally, most people will know to arrive a little early.
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Master 0000
Judith · on June 8, 2019 at 2:54 PM
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We will be seating people at____, and the ceremony will begin promptly at ____.
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Devoted August 2019
Michelle · on June 9, 2019 at 12:19 AM
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Most of the time people arrive about 30 mins to an hour early..
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VIP September 2019
· on June 9, 2019 at 12:48 AM
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I'm the same way. I'm always early for wedding but late for life, lol
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Master June 2020
Anna · on June 9, 2019 at 12:50 AM
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Oh! This is perfect! I'm taking a screenshot, so I'll remember, when the time comes! Ty
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Dedicated November 2019
Stephanie · on June 9, 2019 at 2:14 AM
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I would be annoyed if I got to your wedding 15 mins early and it started 15 mins after that. You should put the actual start time. People know to get there early.
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Devoted September 2021
Brandi · on June 9, 2019 at 2:38 AM
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My start time is 4pm. However we are putting reminder cards out a week prior to arrive 15 minutes early just as a leeway reminder. Guests won't mind arriving a few minutes early. We will have music playing and bottles of water available on entrance.
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Devoted September 2021
Brandi · on June 9, 2019 at 2:39 AM
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Great idea!
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