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Invitation question

jessj336jessj336 member
Ninth Anniversary 100 Comments Combo Breaker
in Hawaii
Ladies,

I have a question regaring invitations and what time you put on the invitation. Do you put the actual ceremony start time or do you list say a time 30 min before? Our ceremony start time is 4:30 but I am wondering if I list 4:30, 4:00 or mayb 4:15 on the invitation.

Any advice??

Thanks,
Jess
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Re: Invitation question

  • Tanq&TonicTanq&Tonic
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I would list the official start time of your ceremony.  Most guests know to get there early, and if you put a buffer in there, you're essentially asking them to sit and wait even longer.  We usually get there 15-30 minutes before the ceremony start, and if you planned a 30 minute buffer, and run another 15 minutes late anyway, I'll be waiting over an hour -- not cool.

    Trust your guests to be responsible adults and arrive appropriately.  Sure, some folks may always be late, but you shouldn't penalize others because of this.
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  • dianalynmdianalynm member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    If you know your guests are chronic late runners, then maybe add a buffer...? Personally I'm writing 4:00, but our ceremony starts at 4:15. This is only because there's something called "Filipino time" and Filipinos run late...ALWAYS. It would be a huge distraction to have guests arrive late--especially since we're not having our ceremony in a church. It's an open area, so it would be pretty obvious if you came late. But, I know people might arrive late anyway, so to solve this problem, I'm going to have our day-of coordinator just have them stand to the side until the ceremony is over--again, huge distraction...

    If you do plan to have a buffer time, though, make sure you at least have water and another beverage (lemonade?) to help pass the time...possibly a small snack, also, but refreshments at the very least...
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  • icode4foodicode4food member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Should put the actual time the ceremony starts. Otherwise if you put an early fake time, people will show before then...which is probably when your ceremony space is being assembled.
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  • lorena224lorena224 member
    100 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I am also putting a small buffer. Our ceremony starts at 5:15 and I am stating 5 pm on the invite (also because I like the way that look better). And we will have refreshments there for people. Making people wait 30 minutes is just a little too long. I would make them wait 20 max.

    Diana - I have the same problem with my Mexican family. No one can ever be anywhere on time. My mom was once late to her own surprise party by 2 hours because she didn't know what to wear.
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  • dianalynmdianalynm member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_invitation-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:5bbbd505-1d2b-49f9-bdb5-2a4b1fd11668Post:ad874c60-e34d-4363-8d41-4d8831c6608b">Re: Invitation question</a>:
    [QUOTE]I am also putting a small buffer. Our ceremony starts at 5:15 and I am stating 5 pm on the invite (also because I like the way that look better). And we will have refreshments there for people. Making people wait 30 minutes is just a little too long. I would make them wait 20 max. Diana - I have the same problem with my Mexican family. No one can ever be anywhere on time. My mom was once late to her own surprise party by 2 hours because she didn't know what to wear.
    Posted by lorena224[/QUOTE]

    <div>2 hours?! I can see my mom doing the SAME exact thing! lol. And hence, the reason for putting an extra buffer! Keep your guests happy with refreshments and a snack if need be... :)</div>
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  • fabutanfabutan member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hmmm...we actually put down the time when we wanted all guests to be physically present at the site...which was approx. 30 minutes before 'official' ceremony start time.  

    We had an early start - guests were seated at 3 p.m.  Groom, groomsmen and officiant lined up at around 3:15 p.m.  Official ceremony start time was about 3:30 p.m.

    We had a harpist playing music from 3 p.m. - that way guests could enjoy some prelude music, water was served, and they could enjoy the scenery and take photos.  Everyone enjoyed the pre-ceremony time - didn't hear any complaints.  

    Obviously, this would be different for a beach ceremony and it depends on your venue/set-up...  I would factor in some buffer time regardless.  HTH!  :)

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