It’s an age-old question…. What time do I put on my wedding invitations?
A lot of people put an earlier time because they ‘fear’ that their family turns up late to EVERYTHING and so by putting an earlier time on the invite - their family and friends will arrive ‘on time’.
There is also such a thing as ‘Island Time’ (yep - it’s real!) and many of our couples of island decent always say that their family will turn up when they are ready… not at the indicated ceremony time.
All these scenarios can be problematic on a wedding day! You have spent sometimes up to 12 months or more planning your wedding day. You have worked with your photographer, videographer, reception coordinator, celebrant or pastor etc. on timing. If you run late for a ceremony because Uncle Fred is late to the Chapel - the whole day will snowball, and you will feel stressed when you shouldn’t!
Its sad to say that if Uncle Fred is late to everything - no matter what time you put on your wedding invitations, Uncle Fred will still probably be late. So lets forget about Uncle Fred and concentrate on YOU and those who are important. Your immediate family and friends.
So after many years of coordinating weddings here at the Chapel - we have set these guidelines that we believe will assist you and your guests in order to arrive ‘on time’ to the ceremony and not cause stress with latecomers.
Lets assume you have set a 3pm ceremony time. We recommend you put this wording on your invitations:
Please arrive at 2.45pm for a 3pm ceremony
What you have just done is given your guests a window of arrival time. They are now aiming for a 2.45pm arrival at the Chapel, so if there is a little traffic or they leave home a few minutes later than anticipated - they know they need to be at the Chapel by 3pm. They now have less stress.
You can add the word “SHARP” in there too if you need. Please arrive at 2.45pm for a 3pm sharp ceremony. If you want to be walking down the aisle right on 3pm. TELL YOUR GUESTS. Its 3pm sharp we start the ceremony. If you’re not here - we start without you!
DO NOT put an early time on the invitations. For example - if you put 2.30pm on your invites - 99% of your guests will think you’re walking down the aisle at 2.30pm and will arrive early. This can cause issues if there is another ceremony before yours or the groom [or first bridal person] has not yet arrived. We have been abused by early arriving guests because they had one thing in mind and found out it was different when they arrived!
Also - we recommend the bride [or second bridal person] arrive AT the ceremony start time. So you should be driving in the gates at 3pm. By the time you get out of the car, have a few photos, touch up your lipstick - you will walk down the aisle ‘late’.
DO NOT aim to arrive any later than 5 minutes after your set ceremony time - again it will cause stress, the celebrant or pastor may have other commitments after your ceremony. You need to keep to schedule and time on your day so you may enjoy every moment!
We hope this information assists you in planning your wedding day. Give your guests a 15-minute arrival window and stick to time! Then let the professionals help you create the wedding day of your dreams - stress free!
If you have questions about invitation wording or timing, feel free to email or call Kylie at the Chapel to discuss further.