Closing Doors

My coordinator is doing this for us. No one will be allowed inside until after the ceremony if they arrive late.

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How close to the time of the ceremony do you plan to lock the doors? I was thinking 5-10 minutes before.

This is a great idea- I think I will do this

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Go for it! Worked great at my mom's wedding and others I have attended.

10 minutes is a little extreme. You guys likely won’t even be lined up 10 minutes before the processional begins.

Do you plan on telling your guests you're locking them inside the venue once the ceremony starts? Do you have a plan if the paramedics need to enter the site if your coordinator has a medical emergency during the ceremony? What if someone has a coughing fit and can't exit the venue?

I agree that arriving late is rude but I would NOT be comfortable being locked inside a church or other venue without notice. Maybe look into hiring security instead.

So.... by locked I hope that means from the outside only... I have horrible visions of an emergency situation, and people desperately trying to get out but the doors are locked.

I'd never heard of anyone doing this nor plan to do it. I figure if someone's late, they have a good reason (parking downtown can be a pain, a wreck on the freeway, the dog barfed just as they left the house....). We'll have ushers who will know to quietly show them in, but wouldn't think of telling someone who's a few minutes late they can't enter to see the ceremony!

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It is only for the outsiders trying to get in if they are late.

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Ah, ok, I didn't realize they could do that. My only concern then is that 10 minutes seems too early to be locking people out. Technically if they're on time they're not late, so punishing people who arrive 10 minutes early just seems rude. Maybe put the time on your invitations that you plan to lock the doors and plan to walk down the aisle 5-10 minutes after that?

If you're going to do this, I would lock the doors 5 minutes after the invitation time and start your ceremony 5 minutes after that.

If I had trouble parking or hit unexpected traffic or something on my way to a 4 pm wedding and then arrived, huffing and puffing, right at 4 pm only to discover that I'm already locked out, I'd frankly be pissed.

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This. 10 minutes early isn't late. It's not even on time. It's early.

If you insist, wait until after the processional.

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I didn't think about that! Thanks for the advice!

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Thanks for the advice!

I really haven't considered this. Clearly not many ppl read that you said noone will be locked in. I think I will shut the door but not lock it and have someone outside the door to inform anyone that comes late that they have to wait. I can imagine ppl walking in at the wedding and everyone turning around to see who it is and not payog attention to us. I think that you should shut the doors only 3 minutes to give ppl time to get in.

View Quoted Comment Yes. This.

The doors closed, but weren't locked. We did let guests know if they were late to just go right on over to the cocktail hour.

We locked the doors (outside coming in) 5 minutes after our ceremony started. We had a few straggler that banged on the doors loudly to be let in so just have your DOC mind the door just in case

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. And as a bride, I'd be more upset if a beloved family member or friend missed the entire ceremony due to something out of their control, than if they quietly slipped in a couple minutes late.

I think once the processional starts late comers should wait to be seated. Seems like common sense, but I was at a wedding last fall where the first three people down the aisle during the music were guests. I'm sure they felt awkward with everyone looking at them!

View Quoted Comment I think 10 minutes is fine.