Do weddings really start on time?

Definitely start on time IMO. I think if you start late, it says "screw em" to the people who got there early or on time.

Maybe give your photographer a shot list and ask him/her how much time you should schedule for those photos? My photographer basically did my day-of timeline for me.

So, here's a breakdown of our day. I have the photographer between 1 and 5 and I cannot afford any more time with him...

Day of Timeline:

12:00pm - Arrive at venue (hair/makeup done) Venue setup begins – ask venue to set up tables first. Start setting centerpieces. Appoint someone to finish if I don’t.

12:30pm - Get dress on

12:45pm - Get ready for pictures, round up family, check on tables and centerpieces.

1:00pm - Photographer (Tim) shows up.

1 – 1:45pm - Family pictures

1:45 – 2pm - Pre-ceremony pictures of Mike and I

2:00pm - Ceremony starts

2:30 – 3:30(ish) - Reception, food

3:30pm - Cake cutting

4:00pm - First dance (Fly Me to the Moon)

4:30pm - Toasts

5:00pm - Reception ends. Buh-bye…

I guess we could take 30 minutes for pictures and have the ceremony start at 2:15 even though the invite says 2:00. I asked the husband and he said his family is not punctual...

I dont think 45 min is enough time for family pics..unless you have a small family. like 3 ppl small. you need over an hour.

every wedding i have been in, it takes about 5~ min per pose, because you have to get everyone situated, the right heights together, did someone blink? did dad smile? someone laughed during the picture, the kids wont sit still, you sneezed and now your mascara is running and you have to go do a touch up, your bridesmaid needs to go put on her necklace she forgot, a groomsmans button on his tux fell off and your MOH is the only one who knows how to sew, the best man wandered off to go smoke a cigarette or take a phone call, people are calling you for directions, what if your photographer shows up late or gets stuck in traffic? what if one of the groomsman over sleeps?

there are so many unexpected things that crop up, you need more time for pictures, in my humble opinion.

edit: i have seen all of these things happen....some of them all at the same wedding

I hate people being late and I am NEVER EVER EVER LATE. But my officiant said that weddings never start on time and that I should expect to start at least 15 mins late due to stragglers. I told him that I am nut about being on time and I seriously dont want to start late but he said that will be really hard to do.

I would slap that officiant around. You give him my number, lol!

Bottom line? You're the bride; as long as you and the groom are there, you can start.

My immediate family is anal about being early or on time, so our wedding will definitely start on time. My FFIL is always late. I've threatened my FH that his dad is getting a special invite that says our ceremony starts 1/2 earlier then it does. Plus there is another wedding at the same church after us, so we can't run late.

Elisa, here's a way to get to tweak your timeline so you get a little more time with your photographer...15 minutes is really not enough for you & hubby with the photographer.

Bump up your toasts to be done during dinner while people are eating. Have your photographer start at 12:30 and end at 4:30. Swap the time for your B&G shots & family formals & start a little earlier.

Your timeline would look like this.

12:30 Photography starts with B&G shots

1:15-1:45 Family Formals (tell the family to be there & ready for 12:45...let them wait for you to be done rather than you wait on them)

1:45-2:00 freshen up & lineup for the ceremony (usually this is a 30 minute window)

2:00 Ceremony

2:30 Reception/Food

3:00 Toast

3:30 Cake Cutting

4:00 First Dance

4:30 Photography Ends

This is just a suggestion. Usually the last 30 minutes of the reception people have already started leaving...the dance floor is emptier...usually, but not always.

Hope this helps.

We are inviting guests for 5:30 and starting our ceremony at 6. Our reasons for this is that my family is late for everything...lol! We'll have lemonade and iced tea for them and hopefully this will allow everyone to be seated. Our officiant will be there to greet guests and our string trio will already be playing music. Since we're getting married outdoors and behind a historic estate, I think this plan will work. If we were getting married in a church, I'm not sure we would've planned it like this. I don't think 15 minutes will be enough time for photos.

African weddings never start on time...smh. Lucky you're not African! lol

I'm with Stephanie!

Assign Aunts or someone to do the set up and get your pictures done. You only get these moments once in your life, and having pictures to look back on is so wonderful. Don't have running around rushing to get decorations set part of your memories.

Another way, would be to have all the time with the photographer Before the ceremony, have them there for the ceremony, and then for the introduction into the reception hall. You can do your first dances before dinner starts. You could even cut the cake or do a staged photo. That way you are not paying them for the hour during dinner and all that time in between "events". I have been to 2 weddings where it was this way.

You will NEVER be able to capture pictures like This if you are only doing 15 min with your photographer (or will be REALLY lucky if you do) 15 min is enough time for 4 - 6 shots/poses.

I say start on time!

Pictures, first look, and videos should be scheduled accordingly to keep the ceremony on time.

As a Wedding Officiant, providing a service on time is essential. I give a 15-minute leeway for mishaps and charge a late start fee after the 15-minute scheduled start time.

Making your guest wait up to 15 minutes to start is inconsiderate. If you are planning a late start to accommodate family and friends that are always late, consider an unannounced pre-wedding cocktail as part of your start time for those that will show up on time.

It is essential to discuss your ceremony start time plans with your officiant. An officiant is not part of your wedding party or guest list; officiants are there to perform a service at the requested time. Many officiants book more than one wedding throughout the day and should not have to extend their scheduled service time due to a late start.

You planned your special day, and if your ceremony starts late, it will cause a ripple effect for the rest of your evening plans—cocktail hour, family pictures, dinner, the dance, and any other special moment after.

For the record, My wedding ceremony started on time as planned.