Feelings towards guests....

Original post by dolphinlover83

Jun 11, 2009 10:43 PM

Coming to the reception, but not the ceremony.

I was talking to my mom the other day about the wedding and I had said that I was going to write the time before the actual ceremony start (ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception are all in the same place) to make sure people got there on time and the place also serves champagne, danishes and cookies, 1/2 hour prior to the ceremony. I think telling her that was a mistake though. Now she wants to tell her friends that they don't have to arrive at the time on the invites. She thinks making people wait is ridiculous, but I really don't want people walking down the aisle to find a seat when my BMs or I are walking down the aisle for the ceremony. Also, she said with that earlier time, people who don't attend the ceremony, may come early (part way into the ceremony) thinking the cocktail hour is starting...any opinions???

Here's an example:

5:00 written on invite and they will be served champagne, danishes, etc.
5:30: ceremony begins
6:00 cocktail hour begins
7:00 reception begins

TIA

coldasice217 Posted: Jun 12, 2009 01:45 PM

Re: Feelings towards guests....

Posted by littlepixie12

Posted by BarbieGrl10

Posted by littlepixie12

Fh cousin did this... they wrote something like

5:30-6 champange reception
6-6:30 ceremony
6-7 cocktail
7-12 Reception

something like that and it was far for everyone so I think she wanted to have everyone on time when she walked down the aisle .. .she had mostly everyone there by the start of the ceremony

As in Joey Fatone

Yes that FH cousin! He hates to admit it though

OMG for real??????

BarbieGrl10 Posted: Jun 12, 2009 09:26 PM

Re: Feelings towards guests....

Posted by littlepixie12

Posted by BarbieGrl10

Posted by littlepixie12

Fh cousin did this... they wrote something like

5:30-6 champange reception
6-6:30 ceremony
6-7 cocktail
7-12 Reception

something like that and it was far for everyone so I think she wanted to have everyone on time when she walked down the aisle .. .she had mostly everyone there by the start of the ceremony

As in Joey Fatone

Yes that FH cousin! He hates to admit it though

DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM????!!!!!

LMFAOOOO! I remember you saying that a while ago.

Its really funny though... The wedding planner that they used is an old friend of mine and also my DOC.

Nina1010 Posted: Jun 12, 2009 11:12 PM

Re: Feelings towards guests....

Posted by MLAngelo

I think people are less likely to skip the ceremony when its at the RH. But my friend got married last weekend and a lot of people came in after the ceremony had started, because her start time was the same time on the invitations. I think having a buffer is a good thing. People can take their time coming in, have a drink, take their seats. I think its nice.

ITA... Most weddings with a three hour gap or so bt. ceremony and reception have less attendance. People have to get ready, and some people travel or work. Not everyone works 9-5 / M-F. I have the same timeline you do... and I don't feel bad. i would stress to your mother that you're disappointed and if someone was to arrive late by no fault of their own, it would devestate you. Lay on the guilt.

Celeste617 Posted: Jun 14, 2009 02:15 PM

Re: Feelings towards guests....

My RH had actually advised against putting an early start time on the invitations. I had never planned to anyway since I wouldn't be pleased showing up early or on time to have to wait - but that's just me - I'm eternally punctual. We didn't experience anyone looking for seats once the ceremony started. However, two couples ran late and joined at the CH. Guess it didn't bother me that much though.