Invitation start time...

I put my start time on the invitation. My invites say "2:00" and that's what time we will start the procession. If there's still people being seated, the procession will wait a few moments. But if people come in at 2:05 and the procession has started, the ushers will politely ask them to wait until the procession has finished to sit down.

Put the time the ceremony starts. People will show up early and its VERY annoying to sit around for 15-45 minutes waiting for a wedding to start.

Put the start time. People will get there on time, and even early. You don't want them to think you're running late because you thought they weren't responsible enough to get there at the real start time.

You put the time that the ceremony starts. It would be really rude for the people who actually do arrive early to have to wait around a few more minutes. I wouldn't even say promptly, people should know to arrive early for a wedding and if they miss some that is their fault.

Please put the ceremony start time. I arrived at 6:45 for a 7pm wedding and they didn't start until 720-730. It was annoying hanging around.

Use the usual invitation language. No need to add anything about the ceremony beginning promptly at 2:30. You can add that to your website and spread the information by word of mouth. For a ceremony, I'm always at least 15 minutes early. If I got there at 2:00 thinking it was a 2:15 ceremony and it didn't start and didn't start, there's a good chance I'd leave and see you at the reception.

Put the time it starts. I'd be angry if I had to sit there for 30 or more minutes because you lied about the time.

It would be very rude and disrespectful of people's time to put a false start time on your invitations. If there is a particular person or group of people that you think may not be responsible enough to arrive on time, you can use word of mouth to get the word out that you will be starting promptly at 2:30.

We worded it as guest arrive at 4

Ceremony at 430

Peggy, only appropriate if you provide food and/or drink while your guests wait.

Please put the start time. I've been to two weddings where they put an earlier time and people were not happy. Don't punish those who are on time.

I don't know if this is etiquette approved, but for my friend's wedding later this year, she included an insert that basically said something to the effect of, "please be aware that while Google Maps will tell you it takes "x" amount of time to get to the venue, please be sure to account for rush hour traffic" It sounded a lot nicer than that, though.

We listed the actual start time. Will some show up late n have to wait to find a seat or sneak in later...yep. Not our problem though.

By starting ceremonies late to accommodate late guests...you are encouraging that for future weddings & sticking it to those that arrived 10 minutes early to find a seat.

Thank you all for your feedback. Do we think that writing "promptly" sounds too aggressive? I'm just nervous about people missing the beginning of the ceremony, which I know will be their fault if they do, but I'm trying to be preventative. Thanks

I think that wording it as "promptly" is perfect so long as you actually follow through. It isn't aggressive, it is accurate. Just don't say it starts promptly at 2 and then start at 2:15. That would be especially annoying.

Yes, I do think "promptly" is too preachy. It's like your scolding your guests in advance for being tardy.

With me knowing my crowd, I should put 2pm when the wedding would actually start at 3pm..... lbvs

I advise to use promptly in the wording but do put a different time for the ceremony. Some people may show up late to other events but you'd be surprised who gets their butts in gear for very important things like weddings. For those who do show up early, it is very annoying to wait around for the ones who arn't

Let them mozy in around start time and they will wait till the wedding party is in and sit in the back. Don't police adults. If it starts at 2:30. Put 2:30

I was thinking the start time as 15 after the invitation too, but apparently not according to my last post. The issue with mine is they won't be able to enter the ceremony location after the fact. The procession takes the same route and it would be disruptive otherwise. I guess those who are late will miss out.

Put 2:30 since that is the time it starts. Let the late people be late. I would be upset if I came to a wedding and the time is wrong on the invite just because of other people when I show up early like people should do!