Rhiannon Hendricks
Deciding what time to put on your wedding invites can be a tricky part of wedding planning. While some couples opt to put an earlier time on their invites to prevent guests from arriving late, this is generally discouraged as it can be frustrating for punctual guests. Instead, it is recommended to put the actual start time of your wedding on the invitation, along with a gentle expectation-setting message. For example, doors open at 6, ceremony begins promptly at 6:30. If your reception is immediately following your ceremony in the same location, you can simply add reception to follow at the bottom of your invitation. However, if the reception is at a different location or several hours later, it's best to include a separate reception start time.
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What You'll Learn
Include the ceremony time, not an earlier time
Including the correct ceremony time on your wedding invitation is essential. While some couples put an earlier time on their invites to ensure guests arrive on time, this approach can backfire, causing confusion and frustration for your guests. Instead, it's best to put the actual start time of your wedding on the invitation and gently encourage guests to arrive early.
When creating your wedding invitations, it's essential to consider the guest experience. While you may be tempted to put an earlier time to prevent late arrivals, this can result in guests showing up too far in advance, leading to unnecessary waiting and disruption to your plans. For example, if your ceremony starts at 7 p.m., putting 6:30 p.m. on the invitation could leave your guests waiting around for an hour.
Instead, it's best to stick to the correct ceremony time on the invitation. Most guests are aware that they should arrive a bit early, and you can gently encourage this by noting on your wedding website or details card that doors will open, for example, at 6:15 p.m., with the ceremony beginning promptly at 7 p.m. This approach sets clear expectations and allows your guests to plan their arrival accordingly.
Additionally, consider cultural norms and the location of your wedding. For example, in some regions, like South Florida, it's standard for guests to arrive 30 minutes after the invite time. In contrast, in places like New York City, guests tend to arrive 30 minutes before the stated time. Knowing these nuances can help you decide how to communicate the timing effectively.
Finally, remember that weddings rarely start precisely on time. Unexpected delays and last-minute issues are common, so it's a good idea to build in some flexibility. You can also assign someone to manage the guest experience during these potential delays, ensuring that latecomers are seated discreetly and that guests are not left waiting indefinitely.
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Add an arrival time to be clear
When it comes to wedding invites, it's important to be clear about the arrival time to ensure your guests are settled before the ceremony begins. While some couples opt to put an earlier time on their invitations to prevent late guests, this approach can backfire, causing confusion and frustration among guests who arrive punctually. To avoid this, consider including a separate arrival time on your invitation or wedding details card. For example, you can specify "Doors open at [time]" or "Ceremony begins promptly at [time]". This sets a clear expectation for your guests and allows them to plan their arrival accordingly.
Including an arrival time also helps to accommodate guests who may need to factor in travel, parking, or other logistics. By providing a specific arrival time, you can ensure that your guests have adequate time to get settled and seated before the ceremony commences. This is especially important if your wedding has assigned seating, as guests will need time to locate their designated seats. Furthermore, an arrival time can help to alleviate any anxiety or stress your guests may have about arriving late or missing the start of the ceremony.
It's worth noting that cultural norms and regional differences may influence arrival times. For instance, in certain regions, it is customary for guests to arrive 30 minutes early, while in other areas, guests may show up 30 minutes late. Being explicit about the arrival time can help manage these varying expectations and ensure a timely start to your wedding ceremony.
Ultimately, the decision to include an arrival time on your wedding invitation depends on your personal preference and the dynamics of your guest list. If you anticipate a diverse range of cultural backgrounds or varying levels of punctuality among your guests, providing an arrival time can be extremely beneficial. However, if you have a relatively homogeneous group of guests with similar expectations, simply stating the start time of the ceremony may suffice.
In conclusion, adding an arrival time to your wedding invitation is a thoughtful way to provide clarity and set expectations for your guests. It helps to accommodate varying levels of punctuality, cultural norms, and logistical considerations. By specifying an arrival time, you can ensure that your guests are comfortably seated and ready to celebrate your special day without unnecessary confusion or delay.
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Include finish time and other key timings
When it comes to wedding invites, it is considered good etiquette to include the correct ceremony start time. However, there are differing opinions on whether to include the finish time. Some sources suggest that it is unnecessary to include the wedding's end time on the invitation as it is not expected and can make the event feel overly structured. Most guests are aware that weddings can continue into the night unless there is a strict cutoff, such as a venue curfew or limited transportation.
On the other hand, providing a finish time or an estimated duration can be helpful for guests, especially if they have other commitments or need to arrange childcare. It is worth considering the cultural context, as different cultures may have varying expectations regarding timing. For example, in some cultures, it is customary for guests to arrive hours late, while in others, being punctual is highly valued.
If your reception follows immediately in the same location, a simple "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation is sufficient. However, if the reception is at a different location or several hours after the ceremony, it is helpful to include a separate reception start time to reduce confusion and help guests plan accordingly.
To ensure your guests arrive on time and don't miss the ceremony, it is recommended to provide clear timing information on your wedding website or details card. You can include the time when doors will open, the ceremony start time, and any buffer for parking and seating. For example, "Doors open at 5:15 pm, the ceremony begins promptly at 6 pm, with the reception immediately following at 6:30 pm." This approach sets clear expectations and helps guests plan their arrival, especially if they need to account for travel, parking, or seating arrangements.
In summary, while including the finish time is optional, providing clear start times and relevant timing details is essential for ensuring a smooth experience for both you and your guests on your special day.
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State the time the party ends
It is important to include the finish time of your wedding on the invitation so that guests can book their taxis home. The fancy way to state the finish time is to use the phrase 'Carriages at [time]'. For example, 'Carriages at 1.00 am'.
Some couples choose to include an order of the day timeline in their wedding invitations. This is a helpful way of illustrating all of the key timings. For example, you could include the arrival time, the first dance, and the finish time. This keeps the information short and simple.
If you want your guests to arrive early for welcome drinks, or to be seated in time for the ceremony, you can state this in your additional information. For example, 'Doors open at 5:15 pm, the ceremony begins promptly at 6 pm, with the reception immediately following at 6:30 pm'.
It is generally advised against putting an earlier time on your wedding invitations than the actual ceremony start time. By placing a false start time on your wedding invitations, your guests could end up waiting longer than necessary. However, some sources suggest that this is a good strategy to ensure that all guests are present on time.
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Include the time the doors open
When it comes to wedding invites, it is generally considered good etiquette to include the actual start time of the ceremony. However, it is also important to consider the time it takes for guests to arrive and get settled. To ensure that all your guests are seated by the start time, it is a good idea to include the time that doors will open on your wedding invite.
Including the time that doors open allows guests to plan their arrival and find their seats without feeling rushed. It also helps to create a smooth and organised atmosphere before the ceremony begins. This is especially important if you have guests with mobility issues or families with young children who may need extra time to get settled.
When deciding on the time to open the doors, consider factors such as parking availability and seating arrangements. You may want to open the doors 30 to 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony to accommodate guests who arrive early and to allow for any unexpected delays. This is particularly relevant if you have a large guest list or if your wedding is taking place in an area with limited parking or traffic congestion.
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Frequently asked questions
The time printed on a wedding invitation should be the actual start time of the ceremony. However, most guests will arrive 15-30 minutes early, so you may want to add extra details about arrival time, drinks receptions, or an order of the day timeline.
It's not necessary to include an arrival time on your wedding invites, but it can be helpful for your guests. If you want your guests to arrive early for welcome drinks or to be seated before the ceremony, you can include this information on a details card.
Traditionally, invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. Save-the-date cards are typically sent out six to eight months in advance, but they can be mailed up to a year before the wedding if you've finalised the details.
Your RSVP date should be at least two to three weeks before the wedding to give you enough time to finalise details with your caterers and create a seating chart.
