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Dedicated September 2021

Guests arriving an hour early

Jennifer, on July 27, 2021 at 2:56 PM Posted in Planning 0 15
I’m planning out our timeline for the day of the wedding. We have a shuttle picking up guests at the hotel at 3:00pm, driving guests 25 mins to the venue from the hotel. Ceremony starts at 4:30pm. The bus seats 45 people and were expecting approx 100 guests. We can only afford 1 shuttle so it will have to make multiple trips which means some guests may arrive close to an hour early. Is this going to be an issue? Should I try to figure out a way to work around this? Like maybe not have the bus leave with the first group for the venue until like 3:15? But then the second group might be cutting it close to the ceremony start time. Any advice would be helpful! Thank you

15 Comments

Latest activity by Cool, on July 28, 2021 at 11:02 AM
  • J
    Dedicated September 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    Also want to note that guests are allowed to drive them selves to the venue as well if they would like and I’m guessing some will do that instead of shuttling.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    Generally they arrive 30 minutes before and are seated t that time. Any longer than that they get antsy. Perhaps you can have lemonade and cheese and cracker platters for those waiting longer?

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  • Samantha
    VIP October 2022
    Samantha ·
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    I’d put on the website something like “For those who choose not to drive to the venue, a shuttle will depart at X and X time, arriving at the venue at Y and Y time.” That way they can plan on the delay.
    Can you have water/cookies/snack for the ones that will be really early?
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  • Nicole
    Master September 2020
    Nicole ·
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    I would do this. I’d probably be in the group that drives themselves, but having the shuttle times gives other people the chance to decide what they want to do. I’d also have water or lemonade available before the ceremony for those in the earlier trip. Maybe someone playing music during that time?
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  • C
    Super July 2020
    Cool ·
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    I think an hour early is too much time. I would definitely want to drive myself/Uber at that point.
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  • N
    Dedicated March 2022
    N ·
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    I think they problem would be many people would plan on making the second shuttle....when it arrives there will be more people than seats creating a space issue...
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  • J
    Dedicated September 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    Yeah that concerns me as well!
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  • J
    Dedicated September 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    I love this idea but no one has been looking at my website Smiley sad it’s on the save the dates and invites. Maybe I can figure out a different way to share this info with everyone though, thank you!
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  • Dayna
    Expert September 2021
    Dayna ·
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    It's a bit early but not terrible. I went to a wedding last year that started 30 min late because of rain and I arrived 30 min early, so we ended up waiting an hour. If you do have guests waiting, I would HIGHLY recommend having some drinks available (water at a minimum, but tea, lemonade, or even a welcome champagne would be very nice) and some snacks too. Make sure there is somewhere guests can sit whether that is early access to the ceremony seating or a lounge-style set up. If it will be hot or cold try to plan accordingly with heaters/blankets or fans/access to an area with AC.

    You mentioned no-one is looking at your website (same here girl) so another option for sharing that info would be to have weekend programs/itineraries made and given to everyone staying at the hotel when they check in. You can keep it cheap and just get a template off Etsy, or you can do small welcome bags and include the itinerary in there. Also, however you end up sharing the info, you will probably need to encourage some people to take that earlier shuttle, or they might all assume they can just wait for the later one and then they won't fit.

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  • Gabby
    Devoted October 2021
    Gabby ·
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    Can you have people sign up for a tentative spot of each shuttle?
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  • J
    Dedicated September 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    This is all great information!! Thank you so much for the tips!
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  • J
    January 1895
    Jessa ·
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    I don't think anyone will take the earlier time, which will cause an issue. Do you have specific people who will need the shuttle? If yes, I would talk to them ahead of time and book them on the shuttle. I would hate to arrive an hour before the wedding because you know they never start on time so I would be sitting around in uncomfortable chairs for minimum 1 hr.

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  • J
    Dedicated September 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    We are planning on having corn hole toss game and maybe gif by jenga and most likely water and something to munch on in the mean time. It is a while to wait but I can’t figure out any other option. I might see if certain relatives could perhaps get the earlier one. Thank you!
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  • Katie
    Expert August 2021
    Katie ·
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    I agree I think an hour is going to be to long. People don't want to wait that long and end up getting ansty. Your early guest are not going to be happy. I think you should put the times of the shuttle on the website as well as provide some food and drinks for the early guests.
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  • C
    Super July 2020
    Cool ·
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    I’d definitely prioritize food and drinks over games. I think asking specific relatives to take the early shuttle is the best solution. Or try to cut costs elsewhere for a second shuttle. You should still only need one for returns because it’s easier for people to leave in and earlier and later time while leaving.
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