The Perfect Timing For Your Wedding Invitation

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider to ensure your guests have all the information they need. While you want your guests to arrive at the time you advise, you likely won't actually start the ceremony until about 15 minutes later. This buffer allows guests to run late, find their seats, and file in at an appropriate pace. If you're serving pre-ceremony drinks, you can usually get away with a 20- to 30-minute window, but ushers should encourage guests to be seated about five minutes before the ceremony begins.

It's essential to consider your guest's transportation to the venue. If all guests will arrive via shuttles, a short window of about 10 to 15 minutes from the arrival of the shuttles to the start of the ceremony is sufficient. However, if guests are driving and parking themselves, you may want to allow a little more time and serve non-alcoholic drinks or glasses of bubbly on arrival.

While it's common for couples to pad the ceremony start time to accommodate late arrivals, it's crucial to strike a balance. Putting down an excessively early time on the invitation can frustrate punctual guests, who may end up waiting for an extended period. A good approach is to indicate the time the doors open for seating, usually 30 minutes before the ceremony, to guide guests on when to arrive.

Ultimately, the decision on what time to put on the wedding invitation depends on various factors, including the venue, transportation arrangements, and the punctuality of your expected guests.

How early is too early?

When it comes to wedding invitations, the general consensus is that it is best to put the actual start time of the ceremony on the invitation. However, there are some who argue that it is acceptable to put an earlier time to ensure that guests arrive on time. So, how early is too early?

Putting an earlier time on the invitation can be a risky move. While it may ensure that guests arrive on time, it can also lead to guests having to wait a long time for the ceremony to start, which can be frustrating and uncomfortable, especially if the ceremony is outdoors or in a hot venue. It is also important to consider that some guests may arrive at the time you have stated on the invitation, only to find that they have to wait even longer for the ceremony to begin. This can be confusing and frustrating for guests, especially if they have travelled a long way to attend the wedding.

If you are concerned about guests arriving late, there are a few alternative options to consider. One option is to put the actual start time on the invitation but include a note or additional wording to request that guests arrive 10-15 minutes early. For example, you could say "Please arrive by 1:45 pm for a 2:00 pm ceremony". This gives guests a clear indication of when they should arrive and allows for a buffer if there are any delays. Another option is to provide shuttles for guests, which can help to ensure that everyone arrives on time and can reduce the amount of time needed for parking and finding seats.

Ultimately, the decision of how early to put the time on the wedding invitation is a personal one and will depend on the couple's preferences and the cultural context of the wedding. However, it is important to consider the comfort and convenience of your guests and to communicate any changes or requests clearly to avoid confusion.

Punctuality expectations

When it comes to wedding invitations, the general advice is to put the actual start time of the ceremony, perhaps with the addition of a line such as "please arrive by [time 15 minutes before]". This is to avoid inconveniencing punctual guests, who may end up waiting a long time for the ceremony to begin if you put an earlier time on the invitation.

However, some sources suggest that it is common to put an earlier time on the invitation to ensure that guests arrive on time. This is especially true for cultures where it is normal to arrive late. For example, in some cultures, it is expected for guests to arrive hours late to weddings. In this case, you may want to put a time that is 30 minutes earlier than the actual start time.

If you are concerned about guests arriving late, you could also communicate with them individually to ask them to arrive early. You could also include a note on your wedding website or in the FAQ section, asking guests to arrive 15 minutes early.

If you are serving pre-ceremony drinks, you can usually get away with putting a start time that is 20 to 30 minutes earlier than the actual ceremony time. However, you will need ushers to encourage guests to be seated about five minutes before the ceremony begins.

If your ceremony is taking place at an outdoor venue where guests will need to walk some distance from the entrance to the ceremony area, you will need to pad the timing so that you are not walking down the aisle as guests arrive. In this case, you should put a start time that is at least 10 to 15 minutes earlier than the actual ceremony time.

If all your guests will be arriving via shuttles you've provided, a short window of about 10 to 15 minutes from the time all the shuttles arrive to getting everyone seated should be sufficient. However, if guests are driving and parking themselves, you may want to allow a little more time and serve non-alcoholic drinks or glasses of bubbly on arrival.

It is also worth noting that guests usually arrive early for weddings, so you may not need to put an earlier time on the invitation to ensure that guests are on time.

Cultural differences

While the timing of a wedding is important across all cultures, there are some cultural differences to be aware of when it comes to wedding invitations.

Cultural Heritage

In some cultures, the timing of a wedding is based on auspicious timings and lunar calendars or astrological considerations. For example, in Italian culture, weddings are seen as a business transaction, and it is expected that guests will contribute enough money to cover the cost of their plate. This is in stark contrast to other cultures where gifts are given, and the wedding is viewed as a celebration of love and family.

Time Notation

The way time is presented on a wedding invitation can also vary depending on cultural traditions. Traditionally, invitations were penned by hand, and time was spelled out in words rather than using numerals. For example, "four o'clock in the afternoon" instead of "4:00 PM." This approach adds a layer of formality and elegance to the invitation. However, modern adaptations and a shift towards digital invitations have led to a more streamlined style, with numerical time presentations becoming more common and accepted.

Time Zones

For destination weddings or weddings with guests travelling from different time zones, it is crucial to specify the time zone to prevent confusion. Including both the local time of the wedding location and a comparison time for the time zone of the guests can help them plan their travel effectively.

Venue-specific considerations

When deciding what time to put on your wedding invitations, it is important to consider the venue and the logistics of guest arrival. For example, if your ceremony is taking place at an outdoor venue where guests will need to walk 10 minutes from the entrance to the ceremony area, you will need to factor this into the timing. Similarly, if guests will be arriving via shuttles you have provided, you will need to allow for a shorter window of time compared to if guests are driving and parking themselves.

If your wedding is taking place at a traditional religious venue, there may be specific schedule protocols to follow. For instance, some religious venues will only allow you and your wedding guests to occupy the space for a set amount of time, such as one hour, which includes a 15-minute window for arrivals followed by a 45-minute service. In this case, it is crucial to inform your guests of the correct arrival time to ensure the ceremony can take place without disruption.

Another consideration is whether there will be pre-ceremony drinks or other activities for guests upon arrival. If so, you can usually afford to pad the timing by 20 to 30 minutes, but be sure to have ushers on hand to encourage guests to be seated about five minutes before the ceremony begins. This is particularly important if you are serving alcohol, as you don't want guests to become too relaxed and forgetful of the upcoming ceremony!

Ultimately, the key is to strike a balance between ensuring your guests have enough time to arrive and be seated comfortably, without causing unnecessary delays that may inconvenience punctual guests. Remember to communicate any important timing information to your wedding party and ushers, so they can help ensure the ceremony starts on time.

Pre-ceremony drinks

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the goal is to provide your guests with enough information so that they know when and where your wedding will take place. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play here, you do have options when it comes to the exact wording. When figuring out how to write the date and time on your wedding invitation, you should take the formality of your wedding (and invitation) into account. More formal, black-tie invitations tend to include more traditional language, while casual invites can be more relaxed and informal.

It is generally recommended that you do not put an earlier start time on your wedding invitations, as this can lead to guests waiting longer than necessary for the ceremony to begin. However, many couples opt to print an earlier start time on their invitations to ensure that guests don't arrive late. If you do decide to do this, it is recommended that you do not pad the time by more than 15 minutes.

One way to make use of this extra time is to serve pre-ceremony drinks and snacks to your guests as they arrive. This is a considerate gesture that enhances the guest experience by creating a comfortable and welcoming environment. It is also an opportunity to reinforce your wedding aesthetic and incorporate local ingredients. For example, you could set up a mobile bar cart decorated with vibrant flowers at a garden wedding, or offer coconut water at a tropical beach wedding.

• Champagne
• Margaritas
• Rosé
• Water infused with cucumber and mint
• Lemonade
• Tea

Frequently asked questions