• The Knot
  • The Nest
  • The Bump
  • The Blush
Wedding Boards
Cat:Wedding Boards
Starting the Ceremony late?
Etiquette
Starting the Ceremony late?
No one wants to deal with the etiquette police so let these Knotties help you avoid them. Post your questions for modern advice on etiquette and planning.
Ok so I have never posted before but I just had to get some other opinions...Our wedding invitations say the ceremony starts at 4:oo my future MIL thinks we need to start a half hour later than
0
False
Etiquette
Starting the Ceremony late?
No one wants to deal with the etiquette police so let these Knotties help you avoid them. Post your questions for modern advice on etiquette and planning.
Ok so I have never posted before but I just had to get some other opinions...Our wedding invitations say the ceremony starts at 4:oo my future MIL thinks we need to start a half hour later than
0
Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9
Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:4fc07346-ba37-45c1-84fd-17cb7fe8fc8d
Forums  >  Wedding Boards  >  Etiquette  >  Starting the Ceremony late?
You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register
 

Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:27 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
04-16-2011
SOUTH FLORIDA
4654385508100470
Posts: 2
First: 2/10/2012

Last: 2/10/2012


Ok so I have never posted before but I just had to get some other opinions...Our wedding invitations say the ceremony starts at 4:oo my future MIL thinks we need to start a half hour later than stated on the invitaion because so many people will be late.  I always try to show up a little early for weddings just in case its not clear where to park or go etc.  I thought that most people had this same thought as me...at least my family and friends that I have asked agree with me.  My future MIL is saying that their side will be running on "cuban" time and will be late no matter what.  She has been so pushy and overbearing through all the planning that she has ruined much of the wedding planning experience for me and my mom.  She bought favors I didnt want and set up vendors and put deposits without asking me.  I am now stuck with these things...With all  that I dont know if I can let her control this as well where all my guest will be stuck there waiting for a half hour or more (if they show up a llittle earlier) to accomidate for her and guests thinking it is acceptable to show up later than the requested time.  Btw the ceremony is on a private beach and we are not allowed set up enough chairs for all the guesst only a few for family in the front...so the other guests will just be standing around during this time.  I was not excited about this in the beginning but thought it will be a 20-30 min ceremony thats not to bad to stand but now we're talking an hour...I think thats a little rude to ask of my guests. Please let me know what you think!

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:29 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
05-11-2010
DC AREA
6313092084353398
Posts: 8563
First: 10/6/2010

Last: 3/13/2012


Do not do this. It's very rude to the punctual people out there who will show up early for the 4:00 ceremony because that's what polite people do. 

ETA: You really should try to get seats for everyone. And I get the la hora latina stuff, but I don't think you need to cater to it.

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:33 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
08-20-2003
BOSTON
117307750003906
Posts: 3218
First: 7/22/2009

Last: 5/23/2012


In Response to Starting the Ceremony late?:
Ok so I have never posted before but I just had to get some other opinions...Our wedding invitations say the ceremony starts at 4:oo my future MIL thinks we need to start a half hour later than stated on the invitaion because so many people will be late.  I always try to show up a little early for weddings just in case its not clear where to park or go etc.  I thought that most people had this same thought as me...at least my family and friends that I have asked agree with me.  My future MIL is saying that their side will be running on "cuban" time and will be late no matter what.  She has been so pushy and overbearing through all the planning that she has ruined much of the wedding planning experience for me and my mom.  She bought favors I didnt want and set up vendors and put deposits without asking me.  I am now stuck with these things...With all  that I dont know if I can let her control this as well where all my guest will be stuck there waiting for a half hour or more (if they show up a llittle earlier) to accomidate for her and guests thinking it is acceptable to show up later than the requested time.  Btw the ceremony is on a private beach and we are not allowed set up enough chairs for all the guesst only a few for family in the front...so the other guests will just be standing around during this time.  I was not excited about this in the beginning but thought it will be a 20-30 min ceremony thats not to bad to stand but now we're talking an hour...I think thats a little rude to ask of my guests. Please let me know what you think!
Posted by Kimber0912


Why didn't your FI rein her in when she was behaving this way?
fiancee = vag ** fiance = peen ** Babies shouldn't be born with jobs ** **They're called first loves for a reason -- more are supposed to come after. You don't get a medal for marrying your prom date. Unless you're imoan. Then you get an all-expenses paid cruise to the Mediterranean and you get to meet Jared Padalecki on the flight over while wearing your jammies. But still no medal. **

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:34 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
11-07-2011
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
7379562558699909
Posts: 1674
First: 12/23/2011

Last: 5/9/2012


You really should consider a venue where you can provide seating for all of your guests.  It is quite rude to only seat family - that is only done at a funeral and you don't want people to think of your ceremony as anything funeral-like.

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:35 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
12-21-2004
PITTSBURGH
851975250004056
Posts: 3075
First: 5/2/2010

Last: 5/24/2012


Please do not do this.  At the last wedding I attended, the bride & groom told half the guests they were starting an HOUR late, so they showed up in time for the actual ceremony, whereas the rest of us (myself included) were there over an hour early wondering what the heck was going on until someone finally clued us in.

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:36 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
11-08-2010
CINCINNATI
7498248565535492
Posts: 7830
First: 11/17/2010

Last: 5/24/2012


1. Start the ceremony when your invitations say it will start. BIL's wedding started 45 minutes late (on purpose), and people were PISSED.

2. Get enough seats for everyone, or find another place to get married. Making your guests stand is not acceptable.



"We all have our talents. Some of us give good blow jobs, some have the ability to make every single situation revolve around themselves. " --Rupert

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:36 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
10-25-2010
6169236076128466
Posts: 5746
First: 10/25/2010

Last: 5/24/2012


I agree with Anna.  Start at the posted time.  It's rude to be purposefully late. 

You also need to have your ceremony where you can have a chair for each rear end.  I would hate to have to stand to watch a ceremony for anything over 10 minutes, but even then, what if someone can't stand that long?

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:36 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
12-06-2010
UPSTATE NEW YORK
7926272197539879
Posts: 1070
First: 2/20/2011

Last: 5/10/2012


I've gone to two weddings where there weren't seats for everybody, and left both extremely irritated.
Photobucket

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:39 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
07-30-2011
Chicago Suburbs
5546475865786496
Posts: 1302
First: 9/20/2011

Last: 5/24/2012


1- Start. On. Time.

2- Have enough seats for everyone. Change your venue if they won't allow it. That would be absurd to make people stand.
Wedding Countdown Ticker

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:41 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
11-08-2010
CINCINNATI
7498248565535492
Posts: 7830
First: 11/17/2010

Last: 5/24/2012


Unless your FMIL is paying for the wedding, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about whether she put down a deposit without asking you first. You don't have to use the favors she bought, and you dont have to use the vendors she picked. Stand up for yourself, and tell your FI to get his mom to back off.



"We all have our talents. Some of us give good blow jobs, some have the ability to make every single situation revolve around themselves. " --Rupert

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 12:54 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
07-17-2009
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
9919833933985715
Posts: 3328
First: 3/8/2011

Last: 5/22/2012


Ahhhhhhhh....I had full intentions on starting 10 minutes late...we pushed it to 15 minutes.  Didn't have any complaints, actually most people told me they had just barely made it and were thankful it started late.  But 30 minutes is out of the question. 

And, ya, your FMIL sounds like a pain.  Your FI needs to have a talk with her. 
November 2011 Siggy Challenge: The First Kiss

Fall Wedding Bio

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 1:00 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
10-31-2003
BOSTON
721747750008693
Posts: 5352
First: 6/15/2009

Last: 5/24/2012


starting late rewards the bad behavior of late comers and punishes those who are responsible.

if someone misses your ceremony because they cant get there on time, that's THEIR problem, not YOURS.

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 1:00 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
04-16-2011
SOUTH FLORIDA
4654385508100470
Posts: 2
First: 2/10/2012

Last: 2/10/2012


Thank you all for all your thoughts.  My FI and I are paying for the wedding and my FMIL is sending the favors she got back.  As far as the other things my FMIL has put my FI in the middle of everything so it is a constant tug of war for him.  I feel bad for him with all this.  Fighting with her has caused problems between my FI and me so my mom and I have been choosing our battles. 

You really should consider a venue where you can provide seating for all of your guests.  It is quite rude to only seat family - that is only done at a funeral and you don't want people to think of your ceremony as anything funeral-like. <---I never thought of it like that...I will double check and see what we can do about the chairs as I was told my FMIL that we couldnt do seats for everyone (that was another fight)

Thanks for all your thoughts I just had to make sure I wasnt the only one who thought it was proper to start on time.

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 4:00 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
08-20-2003
BOSTON
117307750003906
Posts: 3218
First: 7/22/2009

Last: 5/23/2012


In Response to Re: Starting the Ceremony late?:
Thank you all for all your thoughts.  My FI and I are paying for the wedding and my FMIL is sending the favors she got back.  As far as the other things my FMIL has put my FI in the middle of everything so it is a constant tug of war for him.  I feel bad for him with all this.  Fighting with her has caused problems between my FI and me so my mom and I have been choosing our battles.  You really should consider a venue where you can provide seating for all of your guests.  It is quite rude to only seat family - that is only done at a funeral and you don't want people to think of your ceremony as anything funeral-like. <---I never thought of it like that...I will double check and see what we can do about the chairs as I was told my FMIL that we couldnt do seats for everyone (that was another fight) Thanks for all your thoughts I just had to make sure I wasnt the only one who thought it was proper to start on time.
Posted by Kimber0912


What a load of crap. Your FI isn't hasn't been put in the middle by anybody. He chooses to be there because he'd rather see you upset and fight with you because he doesn't have the balls to stand up to mommy.

I hope you're ready for a lifetime of mommy coming first because that's what you're willingly signing up for.
fiancee = vag ** fiance = peen ** Babies shouldn't be born with jobs ** **They're called first loves for a reason -- more are supposed to come after. You don't get a medal for marrying your prom date. Unless you're imoan. Then you get an all-expenses paid cruise to the Mediterranean and you get to meet Jared Padalecki on the flight over while wearing your jammies. But still no medal. **

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 5:10 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
02-07-2012
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
4882642078391652
Posts: 650
First: 2/7/2012

Last: 5/24/2012


In Response to Re: Starting the Ceremony late?:
Unless your FMIL is paying for the wedding, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about whether she put down a deposit without asking you first. You don't have to use the favors she bought, and you dont have to use the vendors she picked. Stand up for yourself, and tell your FI to get his mom to back off.
Posted by specialk84


This!
also, you need to start on time and everyone needs chairs.

My ex- is Native America.  His mother used "indian time" as an excuse for being late.  it's nonsense.  don't start off your marriage by buying into this.  If they can't be on time, they miss the service.  F that.
Wedding Countdown Ticker

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 5:54 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
08-11-2011
BALTIMORE
6360486966543243
Posts: 568
First: 9/1/2011

Last: 5/23/2012


In Response to Re: Starting the Ceremony late?:
starting late rewards the bad behavior of late comers and punishes those who are responsible. if someone misses your ceremony because they cant get there on time, that's THEIR problem, not YOURS.
Posted by Calypso1977


This exactly.  I hate late people, what makes them think their time is more important than everyone else's?
Wedding Countdown Ticker

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 6:19 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
04-11-2010
OKLAHOMA CITY
6357067056530905
Posts: 1547
First: 5/14/2010

Last: 5/24/2012


1. You're not in Cuba. You can start on American time.  If people miss the ceremony, then they should have been paying attention to what country they're in.

2. A seat for every butt.  No exceptions.

3. Your FI needs to put mom in her place NOW and back YOU up 100%.  If not, then you have a momma's boy and I'm afraid for you.  You will never measure up to mom, and he will always put her above you.  You need to do some serious thinking here. He can't please you both.

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 8:37 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
10-09-2010
9280222195954946
Posts: 376
First: 10/10/2010

Last: 5/16/2012


My officiant told us to set a time, and that if key people aren't there (mom, dad, grandma type people), he'll wait up to twenty minutes but then too bad, he goes on.  I think that such a policy is clever and reasonable.

My plan is to tell people who tend to be tardy all the time that they need to be seated at 3:45 so they're there at 4:00.  Tell FMIL to tell the "cuban time" brigade that the ceremony starts earlier and there's an error on the invites or whatever.  Punctual people shouldn't be standing around like that for an hour. 

As for her interference... good luck....  FI is not having your back on this like he should.

Re: Starting the Ceremony late?

posted at 2/10/2012 10:18 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
09-24-2011
NEW MEXICO
4825524785880776
Posts: 301
First: 10/6/2011

Last: 5/23/2012


In Response to Re: Starting the Ceremony late?:
My officiant told us to set a time, and that if key people aren't there (mom, dad, grandma type people), he'll wait up to twenty minutes but then too bad, he goes on.  I think that such a policy is clever and reasonable. My plan is to tell people who tend to be tardy all the time that they need to be seated at 3:45 so they're there at 4:00.  Tell FMIL to tell the "cuban time" brigade that the ceremony starts earlier and there's an error on the invites or whatever.  Punctual people shouldn't be standing around like that for an hour.  As for her interference... good luck....  FI is not having your back on this like he should.
Posted by likeadeadstar


This is a good idea. It's better for people to get there a little extra early (or perhaps just in time) rather than have punctual people have to stand around and wait.

Also, OP, I'm pretty young (only 30) but I have back problems. Usually I can't stand for more than 15 minutes unless I'm walking around, and even that can cause back pain. I've learned to deal with it, but I would be very upset if I attended a wedding and hand to stand for a long time! If you have any guests like this who can't stand for long periods of time, young or old, they're going to be pretty upset that they can't even sit down at your wedding. There HAS to be a way to get seats for everyone. I would fight for this.

Forums > Wedding Boards > Etiquette > Starting the Ceremony late?

My Viewing Preferences

Show user signatures

Ultimate Wedding Dress Search


Looking for the perfect wedding dress? See new styles from top designers, and search by price, silhouette, or wedding dress trend.


WATCH! Get the 411 on wedding etiquette

shop personalized
favors, gifts & more

Shop Now
The Knot Wedding Shop