The groom's arrival at the church (when?)

[transferred post]

This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by catina on 9/01/04. Feel free to add your comments by pressing Post Reply.

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posted by catina

How long ahead of a church ceremony, should the groom arrive at the church? If the wedding is at 3, should he be there at maybe 2:30 to give himself a chance to breath. I'm trying to schedule the limo and am trying to get the time line down for everything prior to the church.

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posted by Marge129

My wedding was also at 3. Brad and the GM were all to be at the church no later than 2-2:15. I would ask your pastor what he/she would prefer. (I got to the church at 2:45)


Make sure when the limo with the bride arrives that the groom is hiding somewhere so he won't see her!

Margie

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posted by Kanona

Catina~ I don't know what the protocol is, but I've scheduled for my honey to be at the church at least an hour before (if not before that), but my honey is also getting dress at our church, and I'm allowing for any last minute whatevers that may come up.

If your SIL will be all dressed and set to go, I don't see why 30-45 minutes before the ceremony would be a problem.

What do the rest of you girls think???

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posted by munchkin

I think being there 30 to 45 minutes ahead would work fine. Gives him a chance to catch his breath and relax before the wedding.
Plus my fiance is chronically late, so he had better be there early

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posted by TheaterDiva1

We're having pictures done before ther ceremony at a marina within walking distance from wherw we're getting married, so he'll probably end up getting there 30 min. before. Meanwhile, I'll probably just chill out with the BM's and MOH in the limo.

-Maggie

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posted by catina

The groom will already be dressed when he gets to the church, so I guess we'll go with an hour ahead. That way if there's traffic problems, he'll still arrive in plenty of time. The limo is picking up all the guys and groom's family, to make sure they're all together and arrive together! Don't want any stragglers!! I figured 15 mins ahead would be enough for my daughter to arrive. Thanks for the input!!

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posted by wynelle

If thre is a special "Bride's Room," then I would make sure your daughter and her attendants are there at least 30 minutes ahead of time. Someone has to make sure the flowers are in place, the proper mothers have their corsages, the guys have their bouts (a lot of florists deliver everything to the church and someone has to divvy things up), make sure the guest book is out for signatures. The Chaplain's assistant told us to be there at least one hour ahead of the wedding time because of the little last minute details. Fifteen minutes barely gives the bride enough time to come in from the car.

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posted by HeatherR

Side Note: Make sure there is a bottle or two of champagne for the bride and her attendants before the ceremony.

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posted by catina

The bouts are beinge delivered to the groom's house (all male attendants are getting ready there) and the corsages and bouquets to our house (all female attendants are getting ready at our house). The flowers are being delivered to the church, both the florist and the co-ordinator at the church know where they go (only two arrangments)
No guest book at the church, just at the reception.
We're having a champagne breakfast on the way to the hairdresser in the morning in the limo. There will be two bottles of champagne on the limo for AFTER the ceremony! If they want more than that, they better eat first! I know these girls and I know they won't eat after breakfast until after the ceremony. Which brings up another delema I've been having. What can I have on the bus for them all to eat after the ceremony on the way to the pics, that's not messy?? Suggestions? NO goopy stuff!
There's no special bridal room, but we've got the limo bus she can chill out on. Maybe we will go a bit sooner, just so it's not rushed and again, in case of bad traffic. Thanks Heather for all the good tips! Although most were covered, it's nice to know I haven't forgotten anything! I've never done this before and hubby dearest is pretty useless! Well, not uselss, but you all know what I mean, I'm sure!

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posted by HeatherR

What can I have on the bus for them all to eat after the ceremony on the way to the pics, that's not messy?? Suggestions? NO goopy stuff!

Sounds like you have a lot covered! I would suggest simple snack food. When I'm in a rush I love those little cheese and cracker snack packs. Not the stuff with the tiny red stick that you use as a knife.

I can't remember the brand name, but they're little packages with cheese, crackers and some type of meat (turkey, bologne, etc...) I don't eat the meat but the cheese and crackers are yummy. I think it may be Oscar Meyer...

I would have a little variety basket of Slim Jims, the cheese and cracker packets mentioned above, dried fruit and/or trail mix, beef jerkey, stuff like that. None of it's messy and doesn't need to be cold...

Heather

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posted by munchkin

You mean Lunchables Heather?

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posted by HeatherR

LUNCHABLES! YES YES YES!

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posted by Marge129

I was having the same ideas as Heather. Think finger foods. Cheese, crackers, veggie tray, meat tray... something simple. After all, they'll be eating dinner at the reception.

Margie

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posted by catina

The main reason I want them to eat something, is I don't want them to get into the champagne on an empty stomach! It's a long time between breakfast and dinner! I think I'll go with cheese, crackers and a veggie tray, cold cuts. I'll make it up like lunchables! Thanks all!
When I re-read some of the tips, I noticed it was you Wynelle, not Heather that offered them all! Thanks! Not taking back the thanks to Heather, though, 'cos she did offer the other good tip about the champagne
Thanks to you all!

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posted by feb-bride

I didn't read the replies, but here's what we did on my wedding day (2:00 p.m. ceremony start time).

12:15 p.m. - Bride, bridesmaids, and bride's immediate family arrived at chapel
12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Photographs of bride and bridesmaids
1:10 p.m. - Groom, groomsmen, and groom's immediate family arrived at chapel (to give me time to hide in the bride's room)
1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. - Photographs of groom and groomsmen

This still gave my husband a few minutes to breathe and relax before the ceremony started.

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posted by catina

I had forgotten that the groom, his family and the groomsmen need their photos taken at the church. So he should be there an hour before! Thanks for all you replies ladies!