Did your wedding start on time?

mrsredmoose · July 2010

For the married ladies, did your wedding start at the time the invitation stated? For the engaged ladies, are you anticipating a later start than you wrote?

I had my "last month" meeting at my venue last night and I was told I may want to plan on starting the wedding between 15 and 30 minutes later than I stated on the invitation.

I always assumed you should start when you said you were starting. But, the people at my venue insist that too many people will be late and I should plan to start later. (I'd have to get the band, shuttle service, photographer on board.) I was told to do this b/c if I don't plan for it in advance, it will cut into my cocktail hour and reception.

What do you suggest? My guests will be served strawberries and champagne on arrival, but I feel horrible knowing I will be wasting the time of those who arrived promptly.

chrisnjay2010 · July 2010

nope we started right on time, but then again i got married in a church. I agree with you on the feeling horrible for the guests that arrived on time.

kristinanddan · July 2010

Yes our wedding started exactly at 4:00.

I think it is beyond rude to tell your guests a time and then not start until a half hour later. If people are late, too bad. Rudeness shouldn't be catered to.

Of course, if your grandmother is running 5 minutes late, by all means wait. But if some random guest isn't there (and really, who is going to notice), don't wait.

Bat937 · July 2010

We also started on time. The ceremony was set to begin at 4 and the processional was walking down the aisle at 4:01.
My cousin sent out invites for a 6pm ceremony, knowing full well that it wasn't starting until 6:30. Most of the guests were there by 5:30 / 5:45.
We had a hour and a half drive so we were pertty unhappy with the extra 1/2 hour wait.

Just Jen · July 2010

We started a little late, but only because my videographer got stuck in traffic and was late setting up.

It was only like 10 minutes late, though...

Jenni83 · July 2010

we also had strawberries & champagne upon guests arrival,our wedding started on time,i agree that it is rude to keep your guests waiting,

mrsredmoose · July 2010

That's what I thought. I'm going to keep it as is, but I did secure the shuttle for some OT just in case something unexpected happens.

If the shuttle were to run late, I would be inclined to wait a reasonable amount of time since our closest friends and family will be arriving on it. If a FG/RB needs a last minute bathroom run, I'd delay the ceremony 5 minutes. I don't think guests would mind waiting 5 minutes. Anything after 15 minutes, I think someone should make an announcement so they know what's going on. We went to a wedding a few months ago that started close to 45 minutes late. Everyone was annoyed until we found out it was for a legitimate reason (Bride got sick with tummy issues just as she was about to walk out- I am so afraid of that happening).

Thanks, ladies!

ssage · July 2010

I would say that we started on time.

My ceremony was at the reception venue but the limo got both the guys and the girls their on time (picked up the guys first then us) and maybe there was 5 minutes or so after we got there to get everyone ready but I would say we started on time. all my guests were already there I know and two sets arrived when i did (lol).

My venue said they would start everythign accordingly. so, if let's say my wedding started 10 minutes late, the cocktail hour would follow for an hour whenever that was. They didn't keep to a specific schedule (which was awesome).

But again, i would say we were on time within 5 minutes.

kristinanddan · July 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_did-wedding-start-time?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:113Discussion:0910a0f2-a0cd-4e9a-92ed-058822cdd2e4Post:13f1ff9a-8f6d-448c-8560-d3cdca077bf6">Re: Did your wedding start on time?</a>:
[QUOTE]That's what I thought. I'm going to keep it as is, but I did secure the shuttle for some OT just in case something unexpected happens. If the shuttle were to run late, I would be inclined to wait a reasonable amount of time since our closest friends and family will be arriving on it. If a FG/RB needs a last minute bathroom run, I'd delay the ceremony 5 minutes. I don't think guests would mind waiting 5 minutes. <strong>Anything after 15 minutes, I think someone should make an announcement so they know what's going on.</strong> We went to a wedding a few months ago that started close to 45 minutes late. Everyone was annoyed until we found out it was for a legitimate reason (Bride got sick with tummy issues just as she was about to walk out- I am so afraid of that happening). Thanks, ladies!
Posted by mrsredmoose[/QUOTE]

I think that's perfect. Anything up to 15 minutes is fine imo, because little things happen.

TerriandJoe · July 2010

I honestly have no idea! lol!

It was crazy due to the rain! It started pouring at around 2. We were supposed to start at 2:30. I remember sitting in the limo waiting while my sisters and parents grabbed things from the house. It poured the entire way to the church and stopped just as I was getting out of the car. So I'm guessing we probably actually started the procession at about 2:40 or 2:45. (15 sitting in the car, 15 for the drive and I was only at the church for about 10 minutes before it all started.)

(We put the actual start time of 2:30 on the invitation)

mocknine · July 2010

My ceremony was supposed to start at 4:30, and I'm pretty sure I walked down the isle at 4:25pm!

My cousin's invitation had a start time of a half hour before the actual ceremony was going to begin. It was a little annoying waiting around, especially because we all came from Putnam and Westchester into Jersey for the wedding.

I would put the actual time on your invitation. Your guests are adults and should be there on time. You can't accommodate everyone.

rblucy · July 2010

Our invitation said 3 but it was intended to start at 3:30. We did this at the suggestion of the reception hall since we were married there. There was champagne and chilled water for all guests and they did not seat them until right before we were going to start so no one had to sit around waiting. I only put the earlier time since with the wedding at the catering hall you can't really run late or it interferes with the cocktail hour. There is more wiggle room with a church wedding.

MYLOVE315 · July 2010

My catering hall said the same thing. I'm getting married at the same place where my reception is. I was told to put 30min before the actual starting time. I'm having a morning wedding.

Altho my officiant highly reccod that IFeveryone is there @ 11:15-11:20 then we start. My only concern is that if we start early and the cocktail hour isn't ready then what do we do? Then everyone is standing around waiting for the doors to open to the cocktail hour? Unless I make arrangements for them to make sure their up and running 15min earlier and then pay the extra? I wonder if places do that?

PrincessJessica · July 2010

We didn't start on time because my wonderful Mother In Law was 20 minutes late...and nobody told me....

Did your wedding start on time?

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