I need your help! I just found out my invitations say the ceremony starts at 4pm but it really starts at 4:30pm... and yes, the invitations already went out. The invitations also say that the shuttle leaves at 3:45pm, which is correct, so all the out of towners are ok, but locals will get to the church early... way too early. What do I do?
Do I...
a) Let people get there early and just have them wait
b) Send out a card that has the corrected date (which is embarassing!)
I wouldn't do anything. Maybe start the music up a little bit earlier if needed. But now you're pretty much guaranteed to have a church full of seated people, no latecomers, and you'll be able to start on time.
So many weddings start a bit late anyway, so if you really try to start right on time, I don't think it's a gigantic problem. And I agree with HannahT - at least the invitation time is *early* instead of late!!
I know some etiquette sticklers wouldn't like this suggestion, but I'm all about using email for something like this. At least in our crowd, it would be fine; I understand why it might not be appropriate for a larger/more formal wedding when you don't know a lot of the people on the guest list, or if there are a lot of older guests. Just make sure to BCC everybody instead of having their addresses listed for everyone to see. With an email, you'll save money, paper, time, energy...
i would not worry. I put 30 minutes early on my invitations on purpose so that i know everyone is there when I walk the aisle. i know many people that do this.
I learned my lesson from a friend. Her wedding was suppose to start at 330 but there was some kind of accident on the freeway. At 330 her sanctuary was practically empty, but the wedding coordinator of the church would not let her wait until more guests arrived, saying that the organist will STOP playing at 10 past 330 pronto. SO, She walked down a practically empty church.
30 minutes is really no big deal. Don't worry!! =)
I agree with everyone else here. If your guest list is small enough for the in town folks, perhaps you could call them personally and let them know. This would also give you a perfect count of who was coming without having to call those who do not respond later.
I say don't worry about it. If you are talking to people you know, let them know the ceremony isn't until 4:30, but don't sweat it too much. Definitely put the guest book out early!
Do you have a wedding website? You could change it there.
I'd just leave it. At least you know that everyone will be there!
Also, if you're doing programs, you could put fun little games in there to occupy everyone. You could do trivia (Did you know...), crosswords, and word searches.
I wouldn't sweat it. Better too early than too late.
Its only 30 minutes, people don't expect weddings to start on time away because the fact is that many dont. I would worry if it was more than an hour but 30 minutes is ok...
I was planning on putting a half an hour early on purpose also. I have heard this recommended many times, so you are sure to have everyone there when you are ready to start. This is a good thing :)
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! You have totally put my mind at ease. We'll leave it alone and tell the in-towners that we'll probably start closer to 430. I am happy to hear that some of you put an earlier time on purpose!! And I will definitely make a more elaborate program!!
Bees,
I need your help! I just found out my invitations say the ceremony starts at 4pm but it really starts at 4:30pm... and yes, the invitations already went out. The invitations also say that the shuttle leaves at 3:45pm, which is correct, so all the out of towners are ok, but locals will get to the church early... way too early. What do I do?
Do I...
a) Let people get there early and just have them wait
b) Send out a card that has the corrected date (which is embarassing!)
HELP!!!!
posted by funmarysf 5 posts 1 month agoI wouldn't do anything. Maybe start the music up a little bit earlier if needed. But now you're pretty much guaranteed to have a church full of seated people, no latecomers, and you'll be able to start on time.
posted by HannahT 23 posts 1 month agoSo many weddings start a bit late anyway, so if you really try to start right on time, I don't think it's a gigantic problem. And I agree with HannahT - at least the invitation time is *early* instead of late!!
I know some etiquette sticklers wouldn't like this suggestion, but I'm all about using email for something like this. At least in our crowd, it would be fine; I understand why it might not be appropriate for a larger/more formal wedding when you don't know a lot of the people on the guest list, or if there are a lot of older guests. Just make sure to BCC everybody instead of having their addresses listed for everyone to see. With an email, you'll save money, paper, time, energy...
posted by GorgesViola 189 posts 1 month agoi would not worry. I put 30 minutes early on my invitations on purpose so that i know everyone is there when I walk the aisle. i know many people that do this.
I learned my lesson from a friend. Her wedding was suppose to start at 330 but there was some kind of accident on the freeway. At 330 her sanctuary was practically empty, but the wedding coordinator of the church would not let her wait until more guests arrived, saying that the organist will STOP playing at 10 past 330 pronto. SO, She walked down a practically empty church.
30 minutes is really no big deal. Don't worry!! =)
posted by Novbride08 60 posts 1 month agoI agree with everyone else here. If your guest list is small enough for the in town folks, perhaps you could call them personally and let them know. This would also give you a perfect count of who was coming without having to call those who do not respond later.
posted by ErinMarieMack 263 posts 1 month agoEr... provide non-alcoholic drinks? Set out your guestbook so people can take their time signing it?
If you start notifying people you are almost ensuring that most of them will be late. Half an hour is not a long time to wait and chat.
posted by vyeta7 170 posts 1 month agoI say don't worry about it. If you are talking to people you know, let them know the ceremony isn't until 4:30, but don't sweat it too much. Definitely put the guest book out early!
Do you have a wedding website? You could change it there.
posted by edb 41 posts 1 month agoI'd just leave it. At least you know that everyone will be there!
Also, if you're doing programs, you could put fun little games in there to occupy everyone. You could do trivia (Did you know...), crosswords, and word searches.
I wouldn't sweat it. Better too early than too late.
posted by Angiepie 27 posts 1 month agoIts only 30 minutes, people don't expect weddings to start on time away because the fact is that many dont. I would worry if it was more than an hour but 30 minutes is ok...
posted by sunsetislove 36 posts 1 month agoI was planning on putting a half an hour early on purpose also. I have heard this recommended many times, so you are sure to have everyone there when you are ready to start. This is a good thing :)
posted by bugaboo 19 posts 1 month agoLeave it. :) Everyone will be on time!
...and I would definitly contact the people who did your invites! I would request a small refund!
posted by cassiereanne 76 posts 1 month agoTHANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! You have totally put my mind at ease. We'll leave it alone and tell the in-towners that we'll probably start closer to 430. I am happy to hear that some of you put an earlier time on purpose!! And I will definitely make a more elaborate program!!
posted by funmarysf 5 posts 1 month ago