How early did your guests show up?

Our wedding was scheduled for 330pm start time. People started arriving around 245pm while we were doing photos. I ran to avoid being seen by anyone until start time.

Following! I am also curious about this.

We did a first look and went into hiding about 30 min before the ceremony. Some guests showed up while we were finishing up pics, and I was excited to see them and greeted them. I didn't think it was a big deal that they saw me. I was out in a public space, everyone saw me. It's hard to hide in a big white dress.

Shameless bump because I know there's more married's on here who might have some feedback!!

I put a guest arrival time on our invite, 5:30 PM because, The vineyard and winery we are getting married at is open for business until 5 and it is a rule there that guests are not to arrive until 5:30, we will see if people follow it.

Bump because I'm curious too...

Following, curious too. Good question!

Our ceremony was for 4:30. People started arriving around 3:45 - like, a lot of people, while we were still doing pictures.

Our first guests showed up about 45 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. A lot came 30 minutes before.

I'm still debating on what to do...I'm getting married on a naval base and they have strict rules on when you can arrive. We can be in the ceremony space two hours before and the reception area also two hours before (so ceremony space around 3pm, reception area around 4pm). Ceremony starts at 5pm, so I figured we should probably put on the invites to be there about a half hour before, since I know how people can be late. We also get one hour for cleanup. That'll be fun.

Good question. As a guest I usually try to arrive 15 mins prior (parking around 20 mins prior). When I arrive most ppl are already there. I think 30 mins prior is normal. So I wouldn't be out/seen about 45 mins before.

It's a good question. I've been more thinking about how late they will be! haha

Our ceremony was at 5:30 and we started our first look as early as...2:30 or 3 I want to say. We did our pics and then had a good half hour of down time before the ceremony which was nice.

We tell everyone to invite their guests a half hour before the ceremony start time. Most of our venues do a 'hospitality time" with wine, sparkling water, etc. The couple is usually hidden away during this time, whether or not they have done a first look.

Here's a sample timeline;

2:00Pre ceremony photos/first look

3:00 guest invite/ couple hidden

3:00-3:30 license signing, makeup touchups, final tips from officiant to BP

3:30 down aisle

4:00 cocktail hour

Omg! We had people showing up 45 minutes early! Our wedding was about 40 mins away from our city so maybe they were worried about arriving on time and left super early lol.

We had guests starting to arrive 30 mins. before the ceremony.

@bappybride I'm hopeful we won't have a bunch of late comers haha

Everyone else, thanks for sharing! It looks like guest come between 30-45 minutes early.

I don't think it would be the end of the world if guest started showing up before we were done with pictures but I am just worried I would get stuck talking to everyone and be late to my own ceremony!

Good question. Following...