Should I go to late reception of wedding?

[caketree93]

I am new on my team in work and one of the girls is getting married this weekend. The rest of the team was invited to the full ceremony from 3pm ages ago, but because I'm new I totally wasnt expecting to be invited at all, so its lovely she has asked me.

These might be really silly questions but I have never been to a wedding so I don't know how they work. My team are arriving at 3, but my invite says to arrive at 9pm. My fear is that either my team will all be way drunker than me by the time I get there or they might have gone home already as I dont know if they're very into partying. I'm worried to arrive on my own essentially. I could be just vastly overthinking the whole thing.

I also have other plans with a friend I will have to cancel, and I'm wondering if maybe I should just leave it.

It would be unusual to leave a wedding before 9pm, even for non-party animals, unless travelling a long way or elderly or ill.

They may well be somewhat worse for wear though! Although, if they don’t seem like party people, are they likely to be heavy drinkers?

9pm is a late start indeed! Going to a wedding on your own is not fun. I would politely decline. I did it once and stayed 20 mins

I couldn’t be bothered to go if it starts at 9pm.

That's very late fur an evening reception, it's usually about 7pm!

I wouldn't go if I already had plans. You can say you've already committed to something else on that date. Doesn't sound like you'd be missing much! Send a nice card or something.

Thanks very much for the invitation but I have other plans that evening.

If you already have plans decline the invite . It's nice to be invited abc she obviously didn't want to leave you out .

I’d decline and thank for the invite if I already had plans

I'd decline as you have plans and it's a late start. It's nice you have been asked but I don't suppose she will mind you not going. Saying that, if you fancy it I'm sure it will be fine turning up at 9 for the dancing etc.

I'd decline because you have plans but send a lovely card and maybe a little gift.

In your situation I would give it a miss while giving a lovely card to the bride and groom. Going to a wedding on your own when you hardly know anyone is no fun at all.

And 9pm is a very late starting time for an evening reception.

Crikey 9pm! We're getting married at 2pm and our reception starts at 7pm, and we were told that was late .

If I already had plans, I'd probably thank her for the invitation and explain that I already have plans, and then give her a congratulations card and maybe some prosecco or something if you like her.

Stick to your original plans, 9 is a ridiculous time to invite people, people will be drunk and as you don't know people that well you'll feel awkward (I would anyway) or like you say people will start going home as you're just getting going! I'd say 7/7.30 is the usual time!