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Rockstar July 2022

As a Guest, How Early Do You Show Up To The Wedding?

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Lisa, on July 12, 2021 at 1:26 PM

Everyone has a different time schedule when it comes to showing up for events as a guest! Some people arrive an hour early, others arrive a few minutes late, most seem to arrive somewhere in between.

How early do you typically prefer to arrive at a wedding as a guest? If the time on the invite lists 6pm (for example), do you show up right at 6? Or do you arrive 5-10 minutes early to find your seat before the ceremony begins? Or 15-20 minutes early, in case parking is limited? Or 30+ minutes early to get a beverage before the ceremony begins? Or do you usually quietly sneak into the back of ceremony a few minutes late?

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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 16, 2021 at 9:18 AM
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Totally agree with you! I also don't like the false/misleading times on invitations. I think 15 minutes early is a good plan.
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 9:27 AM
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Oh wow, I'm surprised that guests were still late getting to the ceremony, even with the earlier time listed! What time did you end up actually starting the ceremony?
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Master May 2020
Kari · on July 19, 2021 at 9:38 AM
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My husband pretty much expected this guest to show up late and also not dress appropriately for the wedding, both of which ended up being true. Our ceremony was outdoors so my husband saw me coming from afar and had to gesture to me to wait (so romantic right?) because the guest was running up. So it wasn't delayed too much, but I would have been a lot more upset about it if it had been our actual marriage and we had been hoping to have a moment where he saw me for the first time coming down the aisle.
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 9:45 AM
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That makes sense! I also don't like arriving too early, so if I get there earlier than anticipated, I find a coffee shop or book store or somewhere in the area where I can sit for a little bit until time gets closer. I think 15 minutes early is a good plan! It sounds like that's also a very popular plan lol.
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 9:46 AM
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I agree that intentionally putting the wrong time on invitations isn't an ideal solution! I love the wording you came up with, to specify the arrival time and the ceremony start time.
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Master January 2022
SLY · on July 19, 2021 at 9:49 AM
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Same, if we're ahead of schedule then we'll drive around until the time gets closer lol. Yeah I feel like it's a good time to arrive on!
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 9:52 AM
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Interesting! Most of the weddings that I've attended have had ushers, but they never really seated anyone, they typically greeted people and handed out ceremony programs, answered questions, etc. Thanks for the info!
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 9:57 AM
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Smart idea! I'm sure people will see it on the website, especially if it's noted during the RSVP process.
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 9:58 AM
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Awesome! Glad to hear that no one walked in late to the ceremony!
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 10:00 AM
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I've been to weddings with ushers, though at all except one wedding, the ushers greeted people, handed out programs, etc. The one wedding, the ushers actually helped seat people. It was the first and only time I've ever seen that done, but it was kind of cool! Otherwise, it's not common where I live either.
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 19, 2021 at 10:03 AM
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At least you were able to somewhat expect that to happen ahead of time, so you weren't totally surprised by it! Still, sorry that happened though.
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Rockstar December 2022
Michelle · on July 19, 2021 at 12:48 PM
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Yes it is so interesting how traditions and trends vary across the country. But I would rather have a greeter any day than a sign at the entrance that guests don’t pay attention to.
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Dedicated October 2021
Vale · on July 21, 2021 at 5:54 AM
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I'm a time fanatic who HATES being late, or even right on time, for anything. I typically arrive 20-30 minutes before, so I can park, get a seat, walk around admiring the scenery and taking pictures, mingling, and not feeling rushed to scramble to my seat right before Start Time.
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Rockstar July 2022
Lisa · on July 23, 2021 at 10:24 AM
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That seems like a good plan! It's so stressful to have to rush or not be able to walk in feeling relaxed because you have to hurry to your seat, so having that 20-30 minute buffer time is a smart idea.
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