Myth Conceptions [Google Vs. Real life]

myth-conception Oct 25, 2022

Who is the expert here anyway?

When doing an internet search to do your fact-finding, you have to ask yourself, what qualifies the expert as the expert?

I remember sending one of my clients to a baker that she decided to use that I had not used before.  I prepared her with the list of desserts she was to order for the dessert buffet.  We planned to have all mini/single bite desserts so guests could have 2-3 of each option. (Check out more about my thoughts on dessert bars on our other blogs post.) When she came back she told me she only ordered 4 types of desserts because the baker said, that people really on want 4 choices and the rest would go to waste.  At 1st it seems like she is the baker and she would know, right? Let me ask you this, who goes to more weddings and stays to the end? Me or her?  She may drop the desserts off, but does she stay to the end of the night? How does she know how much goes to waste? Ummm, let me ask you, when have you ever seen mini desserts go to waste? Anyway, I digressed there a bit. I didn't want to tell her that her baker was really just thinking of themselves.  How much easier is it for the baker to only make 4 types instead of the 10 that I suggested?  Do you believe guests would really prefer 4 options over 10?  

With that in mind, we started our Myth-conception Posts. 

Here is what the experts say: 

While it might be tempting to indicate a ceremony start time that's earlier than the one you've planned, you may want to reconsider that thought. If there is one thing wedding guests know, it’s to show up early. to a wedding ceremony. If you plan to begin your ceremony at 5 p.m., expect guests to arrive between 4:30 and 4:45—and to head down the aisle no later than 5:15. If you tell guests the ceremony will begin at 4:45, they’ll arrive closer to 4:00 and wait an hour to see your grand entrance.

Here is the Mythconception

It may have been true in the past and maybe true in some cases but in general, guests do not up early.  Yes, it seems like common sense, but when guests are unfamiliar with the area, out of town, or self-absorbed.  They come around the ceremony time.  To combat this, I have my client tell their guests and even put the ceremony time on the invitation, but I prepare the couple, bridal party, and vendors that we will most likely start 15-20 minutes after that.  A good rule of thumb is 75% of guests or 20 minutes post-ceremony time, whichever comes 1st. I don't want the guests who showed up on time to have to wait too long, but I don't want the couple to walk down the aisle with 20% of the guest seated while the rest trickle in for the next 30 minutes causing a disruption. 

Conclusion

Don't blindly believe something you read just because it seems like common sense.  That should be one of the fun things about planning is learning what you experience to be true to be able to advise your clients well in the future.  That is what will make you an actual expert in what you do. It is possible that you can be smarter than Google. ;)

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