What time should I ask guests to arrive

[sazy87]

Just in the middle of sorting out our invitations and we have a ceremony starting time of 2pm. However the venue has asked us to have guests seated by 1:30.

So which of the above should I put on the invite?

My DM says some people come early anyway so if they see 1:30 on the invite they might arrive at 1 which means they're sat around for 1 hour

What would you do?

If the venue allows, can you request 1.30 pm to organise the day to be less waiting time? You should be able to organise it however you prefer

Sorry request guests arrive at 2 pm !

I'd just put it on the invitation
'Seated by 1.30pm
Ceremony 2pm'
What is the venue planning to do with them for half an hour?

Doors open at 1:30pm
ceremony starting promptly at 2pm

Why do they want everyone to sit around for 30mins+ before the ceremony ?
That's what I'd be asking.

Our ceremony was 2pm we put 1.45pm on invites. But it was town hall so fairly efficient in and out!

Are you having an Order of the day type invite? Easy to just add it as an extra thing.

Guests seated 1:30pm
Ceremony 2pm

Or say Ceremony 2pm (please be seated by 1:30pm)