How Early Should You Arrive To A Wedding

If you’re unsure with how early should you arrive to a wedding, consider 15 minutes before what’s stated on the invitation. We also talk about etiquette because you shouldn’t arrive late or too early. 

Do you already know what to bring to a wedding as well? Then, before you come, read the essentials of what you must get to the event. 

how early should you arrive to a wedding

 

How Early Should You Arrive At A Wedding?

You can arrive as early as 15 minutes before the time of the ceremony indicated on the wedding invitation. If it’s a big wedding, it’s also acceptable to come 30 minutes before starting. 

This way, you can ensure that you won’t be late, but not too early that it might be awkward for the couple. You don’t want to arrive an hour early because the couple might be taking photos, having a first look, or the staff might still be doing some preparations for the site.  

Arriving with some time left before the actual program will also help you relax and even take a look around the venue. If you also know the other guests, you can chat with them while waiting for the ceremony.

 

What if you arrive late?

An unseen or unavoidable factor that caused you to arrive late and the ceremony has already started. For this, make sure to be lowkey to avoid disrupting the program. 

Sit at the back row quietly or find an usher that can help you with your seat. However, you don’t want to move around and have the focus on yourself once the processional starts. 

Wait for the bride to arrive at the altar, then find your seat. It might be better to come to the reception in some cases if you’re very late. 

 

What if you arrive too early?

If you arrive too early, never text the bride or groom as they have their matters to attend to. It would be disrespectful, so it’s best to ask around the venue or explore the location yourself. 

However, remember that some venues may also be holding other events before the wedding schedule. Consider looking for a waiting area or go to a nearby place where you can wait for a while.

Of course, you shouldn’t also wander too far away from the venue as it might cause you to be late. Instead, try to mingle with other guests while waiting to pass the time much more manageable. 

 

Is It Rude To Be Late To A Wedding?

It is rude to be late to a wedding, but there might be some factors out of your control that can cause you to be even if you’re careful with your schedule. But if you ever find yourself running late, know that it’s unnecessary to tell the couple as you don’t want to stress them out on their big day. 

If you’re part of the program, tell it to another person who also has a role in the ceremony so they can make adjustments. The couple shouldn’t find it rude, especially if you’re late because of a random event and not because you were irresponsible with the schedule. 

When you arrive late, be careful not to draw attention to you. You don’t want to be the center of attention when you barge through the doors or when you’re finding a seat. 

Then, you can always talk to your other friends at the reception and get caught up on the happenings. So there’s no need for you to make a scene about your delay, and it shouldn’t even be mentioned. 

 

Is 9am Too Early For A Wedding?

Having a wedding at 9 am is still acceptable, but make sure that it’s on the weekend. Anything earlier than 9 am would mean requesting the guest to get up early, and some might even need to book accommodation to arrive on time. 

This time would be ideal as a Saturday morning wedding. However, remember that you will also need some preparations such as makeup and hair, so 9 am can be challenging for you and the bridal party. 

Consider pushing the ceremony to 10:30 am instead so that the reception will be anywhere from 12 to 12:30 pm with lunch. You wouldn’t feel pressured to wake up too early, and guests won’t need to adjust their morning schedule too much. 

Here is how long do wedding hair and makeup take to help you schedule your preparations in the morning much effectively. 

 

Is It Rude To Leave A Wedding Reception Early?

It’s not rude to leave a wedding reception early as long as you wait for the cake slicing. This part of the reception is often a good cue, especially for elderly guests to exit.

Cake cutting is seen as the signal of the end of the celebration or the start of the dances. You can read when to cut the cake at a wedding to know more. 

 

Conclusion

Was this article helpful? We discussed how early should you arrive to a wedding where 15 to 30 minutes before the time indicated on the wedding invitation should be acceptable.

This isn’t too early or too late, but the latter can be exempted if you experience an unavoidable hindrance. If you’re late, slip into the area quietly and don’t make a scene out of it. 

 

Leave a Comment