The Perfect Wedding Arrival Time: A Guide For Guests

Wedding guests usually arrive 15 minutes to 30 minutes before the ceremony time. However, some people have crazy stories about people showing up an hour or more before the ceremony time. One person mentioned that guests who arrived an hour before the invitation time were super sweet but it stressed them out because they didn't want anyone to see them in their dress yet.

15-30 minutes before ceremony time

15-30 minutes before the ceremony is the ideal time for guests to arrive. This is the perfect time to ensure that your guests are seated and you are not stressed about any last-minute preparations.

Arriving 15-30 minutes before the ceremony will give you enough time to greet your guests and take a few moments to relax before the big day begins. It's also a good idea to check that all the necessary arrangements are in place and that everyone is in their designated seats.

If you tell your guests that the ceremony starts at a specific time, they will arrive as early as 30 minutes before the stated time. Don't be rude to your guests by expecting them to arrive exactly on time, as this may cause unnecessary stress for both you and your guests.

Many couples choose to open the venue to guests 30 minutes before the ceremony, which gives them time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere before the ceremony begins. However, if you don't want anyone to see you before the ceremony, you may want to plan to arrive at the venue an hour before the ceremony to get ready in a private space.

Remember, the key is to find a balance between being punctual and allowing your guests enough time to arrive and settle in. By arriving 15-30 minutes before the ceremony, you can ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly and that your guests have a memorable experience.

30 minutes before ceremony time

30 minutes before the ceremony is a good time for guests to arrive. Many friends and family members will arrive as early as 30 minutes (or maybe a bit more) before the ceremony. Don't be rude to your guests and let them know that the venue will open to guests a half hour before the ceremony.

If you tell people it starts at 4, they will get there as early as 3:30. People know to be a few minutes early to be in their seats. Don't be rude to your guests.

If there are people you need in place before the ceremony, then give them a separate time. For example, we're doing full family photos beforehand so we need all aunts/uncles/cousins there an hour before the ceremony.

For our 3:30 ceremony, we have guest arrival at 3:00. Our wedding coordinator told us to list the start-time correctly on the invite (half past three) and then on our wedding website (or details card if you’re just doing paper). She said people who are early will arrive early and people who are generally late will still be late.

As a bride, you should plan on starting your ceremony 15-30 minutes after the time that’s stated on your invitation.

1 hour before ceremony time

1 hour before the ceremony is a good time for guests to arrive. If you need certain people in place before the ceremony, give them a separate time. For example, if you're doing full family photos beforehand, you'll need all aunts, uncles, and cousins there an hour before the ceremony.

Don't be rude to your guests by telling them to arrive at a specific time. People know to be a few minutes early to be in their seats. If you tell people it starts at 4, they will get there as early as 3:30.

If you're a bride, you should plan on starting your ceremony 15-30 minutes after the time that's stated on your invitation. If you tell people the ceremony starts at 6, you should put 5:30 on the invites.

If you're a host, you should plan on arriving 15 minutes before the time on the invite. Some people show up an hour or more before the ceremony time. If you're hosting the last 3 family occasions, your family has shown up 2-3 hours before the party, plop on the couch while you're still trying to prepare.

If you're a bride, you should plan on starting your ceremony 15-30 minutes after the time that's stated on your invitation. If you tell people the ceremony starts at 6, you should put 5:30 on the invites.

Space opens 30 minutes before ceremony time

Guests should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony time, as this is the time when the venue will be open to guests. Arriving early will stress you out and throw off the photo schedule.

Don't be rude to your guests by telling them to arrive early. People know to be a few minutes early to be in their seats. If you need people in place before the ceremony, give them a separate time to arrive.

For example, if your ceremony is at 3:30, you can have guests arrive at 3:00. List the start time correctly on the invite and on your wedding website so that guests know when the space is open.

If you are the bride, you should plan on starting your ceremony 15-30 minutes after the time that's stated on your invitation. Don't want anyone to see you walking in? Then plan on arriving an hour ahead so that you can get inside where no one will see you.

1 hour before ceremony time

One hour before the ceremony, the venue should be open to guests. If you need certain people in place before the ceremony, give them a separate time. For example, if you're doing full family photos beforehand, you'll need all aunts, uncles, and cousins there an hour before the ceremony.

If you're the bride, you should plan on starting your ceremony 15-30 minutes after the time that's stated on your invitation. If you tell people it starts at 4, they will get there as early as 3:30. People know to be a few minutes early to be in their seats. Don't be rude to your guests.

Many of your friends and family will arrive as early as 30 minutes (or maybe a bit more) before the ceremony. If you don't want anyone to see you walking in, plan to be inside an hour ahead. If you're doing your hair and makeup at your house, but putting on dresses there, you don't want anyone to see you walking in.

If you're hosting the wedding, you might be stressed about guests arriving early. It's understandable, but it's not a big deal. If you didn't want anyone to see you in your dress yet, besides your wedding party, groom, and family, you could stress about it. We were already running behind a tight photo schedule and stopping to say hello to them threw things off a bit. If you're hosting the wedding, you've probably hosted the last 3 family occasions, and your family has shown up 2-3 hours before the party, plop on the couch while you're still trying to prepare.

Frequently asked questions