Music starts at.. Ceremony starts at...

aviachaya

Hello lovely ladies!  I am just finalizing our invitations, and I've been wondering what time I should say the wedding starts?  The actual ceremony starts at 4:30, and the music starts at 4.  I'm afraid if I put 4:30 on the invitation then people will show up late , but if I put 4 then people will show up before then expecting the ceremony at 4 and not just the music... Is this making any sense?

What does etiquette say?  What do you say?

mandybear7

Write the actual start time 4:30.

You can start a couple minutes late and if people do walk in late, then they are the rude ones.

I like to be early for weddings. If I showed up at 3:45 and the wedding didn't truly start until 4:30, I would be pretty peeved. Have some faith that your guests will show up on time.

aviachaya

thank you so much! you're right, i'd be mad too!

mandybear7

Good call

aerinpegadrak

Most weddings have some sort of prelude music, but you put the start of the ceremony time on the invitation.