Wedding Reception Arrival Time

[WorldCupWidow]

Ok, just looking for opinions as there has a discussion and difference of opinion in the office today...

We have been invited to a colleagues wedding reception and the invite states 5pm, we were planning sharing a minibus taxi and discussing what time to book it for, but found that there was a difference of opinion on when to arrive

Group A think that they will have stated a time on the invite as they want people there for first dance etc so we should arrive around 5/5.30, 6 at the latest

Group B think that it doesn’t really matter and we can rock up about 7/7.30

I know this isn’t really an issue and we can just travel in 2 groups if we can’t agree but was just interested in what the general opinion was

I would be there for 5. Is there somewhere you can have a drink if they're not ready for you?

@justmuddlingalong yes it is in a function room in a hotel and we can wait in the bar if they aren’t ready.

I would say 5pm is the earliest they want you to arrive and up to 6pm is ok but after 7pm is a bit rude.

5pm quite early so I’m guessing they are hoping evening guests feel sort of the celebration a bit more and you’re probably right about the first dance.

Although are you sure they’re not planning to include evening guests in the main food service as otherwise the all day guests must be having the ‘wedding breakfast’ really early.

My goddaughter gets married this summer and has invited evening guests (army buddies of her DF and more distant school friends or work colleagues of them both) to arrive just after speeches but before cutting cake so they can be there to see it intact. Then they have planned the first dance for after that.

I would say, if the invite says 5pm it means to arrive at that time as it would coincide with their run time for the day - and I’d be really put out if invited guests turned up 2+ hours late!!

I always thought you should get there at the time on the invitation but I went to a wedding recently where the day events had run over schedule so we were sat around for ages. I'd say half the evening guests did the same as us, the other half rocked up 1 to 2 hours later when the dancing had got going and I wish I'd done that.

Thanks everyone, I am in the arrive at 5/5.30 camp.

I have heard say guests talking about how early the ceremony is starting so I think the whole thing is earlier than most weddings.

If the day has run over a bit we are happy to sit in hotel bar and have a drink.

Think I will just say and booking transport to venue for x time and to let me know who wants in...those who want to go later can sort them selves out.