How do these weddings work?

Question

Im going to my first traditional american wedding today. The invitation said it starts at 5:30, but i know i will be late at least an hour. What will happen?...i dont know if i can just walk in during the ceremony?...like after everyones seated?...can you sit wherever you want?...what about the reception?

Answer 1

If you are going to be an hour late, the ceremony will be over. Just go straight to the reception at 6:30.

Answer 2

You best bet is to phone the bride-to be and politely let her know you will be late, and ask her what time will be best to show..id say it sounds as though you will be able to be in time for the reception

Answer 3

You will probably miss the entire ceremony if you're an hour late.  You might need to go directly to the reception if it's at a different location.

If you're only going to be a few minutes late, you can usually slip in quietly and depending on who's "side" you're on, you'd just sit on the appropriate side (On the left side of the church is the bride's side and right side of the church is the groom's side.)

Answer 4

Hi,

this is Sophie, and I am a wedding planner.

Ok, traditionally, if you can not arrive to the ceremony, you are not welcome at the reception.

But.

If you let the groom and bride know, you have something lot more important going on(??), then their wedding I am sure they will not mind you being late.

Good luck, and please let them know ahead!

Answer 5

if your gonna be late ( that late) dont come at all, i mean your gonna miss the ceremony and depending on how long the ceremony is, you may also half of the reception,

Answer 6

Most traditional American weddings are only 30-45 minutes for the ceremony, so if you are going to be an hour late, I'd just go straight to the reception. Have fun!

Answer 7

if there is a reception separate from the ceremony location just go straight there. The wedding will be over by the time you get there

p.s. the reception usually lasts a few hours. in fact the first half an hour you just sit waiting for the bridal party (they take lots of pictures in between). so dont listen to someone who says you will miss half the reception... thats a lie lol

Answer 8

Do not come an hour late. You will probably miss the whole ceremony anyway. Talk to the couple and ask if you can come to just the reception since you can't get there in time for the wedding.