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Wedding Invitations & Paper
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Time Clarification on Invites?

alm&mdmalm&mdm member
100 Comments 25 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
edited February 2014 in Wedding Invitations & Paper
I know that traditionally the time listed on the invite is the time the couple plans to begin the ceremony. Often guests will arrive early so they can be seated.

We are doing our cocktail hour first though. Cocktails, short ceremony and then getting seated for dinner.

Should I state this on my invites? Maybe instead lf just saying 6pm...say cocktails will begin at 6 pm, ceremony will begin at 7pm, reception to follow?

I just dont want anyone to rush and then get there to realize the ceremony isnt started anyway. Also I know some people will still come early so we'll have staff and food ready at 530.
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Re: Time Clarification on Invites?

  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    Why are you having cocktail hour first?

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  • QueerFemmeQueerFemme member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    alm&mdm said:
    I know that traditionally the time listed on the invite is the time the couple plans to begin the ceremony. Often guests will arrive early so they can be seated. We are doing our cocktail hour first though. Cocktails, short ceremony and then getting seated for dinner. Should I state this on my invites? Maybe instead lf just saying 6pm...say cocktails will begin at 6 pm, ceremony will begin at 7pm, reception to follow? I just dont want anyone to rush and then get there to realize the ceremony isnt started anyway. Also I know some people will still cpme early so we'll have staff and food ready at 530.

    If there is a cocktail hour, I prefer it to be after the ceremony.  But if you are going to do it this way, you could put that on the invitation. We recently rushed to get to a wedding at 5pm, only to find out 5:00-6:00 was cocktail hour and the ceremony didn't start until 6pm.  I would have preferred just to stay home that extra hour.

    You'll have to fiddle with your invitations somewhat, but maybe do it traditionally, and put a footnote about the actual ceremony start time.

    image

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  • HisGirlFriday13HisGirlFriday13 member
    5000 Comments 500 Love Its Second Anniversary 5 Answers
    I would do something like this:

    Together with their families, 
    alm and mdm
    request the pleasure of your company
    at their wedding, 
    time, date, place

    and then underneath that, I'd put:
    Cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m.
    dinner following ceremony

    As a guest, I'd like to know what time I actually have to be there -- if your ceremony starts at 7, but the cocktail hour starts at 6, I'll know I can skip the cocktail hour if I want.
    Anniversary

    image
    I'm gonna go with 'not my circus, not my monkeys.'
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  • InkdancerInkdancer member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its First Anniversary First Answer
    Why have a cocktail hour if it's going to be before the ceremony? The point of cocktail hour was to host your guests properly while the B&G are off taking post-ceremony pictures. If that isn't happening, there's no reason to open with a scheduled cocktail hour.
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
    eyeroll
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  • alm&mdmalm&mdm member
    100 Comments 25 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited February 2014
    We are doing all our "posed" and off site photos before the ceremony starts so order doesn't matter in this case.

    We want to have a really fun vibe the whole night because it's going to be a lot of industry people who normally don't get to go out and party on the weekends. We just liked the idea of everyone coming, getting a drink and some food and chatting before the very short ceremony. Then the ceremony gives a small break between the cocktails and the big dinner. 

    Thank you to those of you who actually address my question about making note on invitations. 

     I know it's not traditional. I know some people will think we just shouldn't even host cocktails. I know there may be a few eyes rolls but it's what we selected to do. We think our guests will enjoy it. 
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  • sarahuflsarahufl member
    Tenth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    FWIW, I once went to a wedding that, for a variety of reasons, served alcohol before the ceremony. Everyone was HAMMERED by the time the wedding actually began. You should know, though, that these people are.....unique......and I am pretty sure it wouldn't happen with my friends.
    image
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  • princessleia22princessleia22 member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its 1000 Comments First Answer
    I think it is best to include the times on the invite.  Or include a "schedule of events" insert with the invite, like people often do with a separate reception card. 

    image 

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  • daria24daria24 member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary First Answer
    Having the cocktail hour first is not uncommon for Jewish weddings, I've always seen both times listed on the invitation.
    image
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Second Anniversary First Comment
    This is awesome!
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