What Time Should Guests Arrive for a Maryland Wedding Ceremony?
- crkrone46
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
As a wedding venue owner for almost ten years, I have noticed that guests' arrival times vary with some arriving very early, some on time and others arriving late. With weddings, timing is everything on your wedding day especially when it comes to guest arrival! A good rule to follow is for guests to arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Arriving early allows time to park, walk to the wedding ceremony, use the restroom, find seats, and enjoy the beautiful setting before the ceremony begins. It also helps the wedding start smoothly and on time with no distractions, no late arrivals slipping in during the processional.
Typical Ceremony Starting Time at Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue:
Most ceremonies begin around 4:00 PM, our staff starts parking one (1) hour before the ceremony. We advise guests to arrive by 3:30 PM. That way the
guests can be seated by 3:50 PM. There is a short walk in the grass to the outdoor ceremony areas. This small detail helps ensure everything unfolds effortlessly, so all eyes can be on the couple when it matters most and not on a guest sneaking in.
Advice from other wedding venue owners:
Rachael from Somos Family Weddings and Events: Guests should plan to arrive 20-30 minutes before the wedding begins--just enough time to find your seat, greet familar faces, and soak in the excitement without feeling rushed. Arriving too early, however, can unintentionally interrupt the final flurry of preparations as the couple and their team perfect every last detail. The magic of the moment truly begins when everyone settles in, and the anticipation quietly builds before the venue starts.
Ginger from Springhaus Farm in Athens, Georgia: When planning your wedding day, it's important to communicate guest arrival time clearly. Guest should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled ceremony start time. If your ceremony begins at 5 invite guests to arrive at 4:30 pm, this allows time for parking, greeting, and getting seated comfortably before the ceremony begins. Later arrivals can distract a couple and the photographer during the processional moments. Early arrival gives your ushers or coordinators time to seat everyone, and many couples have prelude music that starts before the ceremony. Just be courteous and make sure you're there before the wedding starts!!
Our History, Your Love Story – Montagu Meadows, an Historic Barn Wedding Venue in Westminster, MD
Looking for a stunning affordable Maryland barn wedding venue? Consider touring the Historic Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue located in the countryside of Carroll County, MD. Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue offers full-size dream weddings with receptions and intimate/elopement packages. Our Westminster, Maryland barn wedding venue offers a breathtaking setting with a team dedicated to making your wedding day perfect. Montagu Meadows
has stunning gardens and serene water views, creating a picturesque backdrop for unforgettable celebrations. We also proudly support the LGBTQ couples in a warm, inclusive environment. If you are looking for an elegant, rustic, and unforgettable wedding that is pet-friendly, contact us to schedule a tour.
Visit our Website: www.montagumeadows.com
Visit our gallery for additional photos: GALLERY | Montagu Meadows
Visit our intimate wedding ceremony page for package options: ELOPEMENT & INTIMATE WEDDINGS | Montagu Meadows
Email us at: crkrone46@gmail.com
Location: Westminster, MD in Carroll County
Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue happily serves the entire Carroll County, Maryland area which includes Sykesville, Eldersburg, Woodbine, Mount Airy, Taneytown, New Windsor, Union Bridge, Westminster, Manchester, Hampstead, and Lineboro. We also serve other Maryland Counties: Anne Arundel, Howard, Frederick, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Washington and along with Southern Pennsylvania which includes Adams, Lancaster, Franklin and York Counties.
Thank you for reading our wedding blog. We hope you find inspiration and helpful advice in all our wedding blog posts. Contact us today to start planning your dream wedding and discover how Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue can transform your special day into a romantic, timeless celebration!
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