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Super October 2020

Guests that arrive late/skip ceremony

Michelle, on December 27, 2019 at 8:41 AM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 0 10

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My fiancé is Cambodian and a lot of weddings and receptions are much different than “American” ones. Usually it’s a 2-3 day ceremony of praying and rituals, then a celebration at a big hall or restaurant, hundreds of guests that show and no RSVP required, plenty shots of alcohol. Culturally, people show up to parties very late...30-60 minutes sometimes longer.

We aren’t doing a Cambodian wedding. It’s the whole walking down the aisle, being married by a minister, RSVP required, shots are prohibited by the venue, etc.
My concern is the ceremony. Ceremony and reception is at one spot. It’s $500 for the fee and $2 per chair. My guest list is 145, so I would be really upset if I wasted a couple hundred dollars only to have barely anyone show. Not to mention coming in late and causing distraction. Would it be rude to put the start time as 5:15 and have it begin 5:30?

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10 Comments

Latest activity by Catherine, on December 27, 2019 at 12:29 PM

Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on December 27, 2019 at 8:47 AM
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I think this is a know your crowd thing. I personally think it's rude to put a false start time. I would arrive around 4:45 for a 5:15 ceremony and would be annoyed if I had to wait until 5:30.
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on December 27, 2019 at 8:50 AM
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The start time on your invitation should be the start time of your wedding. Your fiance should just tell his family to show up on time. If they aren't on time, they don't get to come in. Simple as that.
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Expert October 2019
Jess · on December 27, 2019 at 8:50 AM
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We put 4:00 on our invitations but had the actual thing start at 4:15. We also had a super big and beautiful venue that there was a lot to walk around and explore as well. So i think it’s for sure up to the location as well.
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on December 27, 2019 at 8:50 AM
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I would just make sure he speaks to those relatives and lets them know that it’s important to arrive on time. You can also ask someone at the church to not allow anyone to enter once the ceremony begins to avoid disruption
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Super October 2020
Michelle · on December 27, 2019 at 8:53 AM
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It’s not his family I’m concerned about as much, it’s moreso the friends and friends of family within the community. It’s the spending of two hundred dollar chairs that could be a waste because I think it’s ridiculous as is for chairs lol.
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Super February 2020
Merline · on December 27, 2019 at 9:15 AM
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My family is ALWAYS late so we put 4:30 on the invitations, but told FH family it's at 5:00 lol. You know your crowd best.
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Super October 2020
Michelle · on December 27, 2019 at 9:42 AM
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The suggested timeline on the venue even has guests coming at 5pm with ceremony to begin 5:30pm. I know you might think it’s rude but with the cultural differences, I’m now thinking that it might be best to put 5:00 pm and just mention to the few that are more used to American tradition that it’s at 5:30. I’m just too nervous about people showing up an hour later lol, because it’s not uncommon from the weddings I’ve been to in the community.
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Super October 2020
Michelle · on December 27, 2019 at 9:43 AM
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Not you soecifically. Sorry didn’t mean to quote you lol
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on December 27, 2019 at 9:52 AM
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Either way, I’d just speak to the people you’re concerned about individually then. If you’re saying they may assume the ceremony is hours long, then would 15 mins really make a difference? Sounds like they could easily be a half hour or more late
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VIP November 2019
Catherine · on December 27, 2019 at 12:29 PM
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I would let guests know that they need to arrive 30 minutes prior to ceremony start time so they can be seated. so put that your ceremony starts at 5:30 but guest seating is at 5. that way people know to arrive at 5. i wouldn't purchase chairs until you have your rsvps back.
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