If a wedding invite says 4pm, what time should I arrive?

Short answer

Arrive between 3.40pm and 3.55pm. This gives you time to park, find your seat and settle before the ceremony starts at 4pm. Aim for no later than 3.50pm to avoid feeling rushed or holding up the processional.

When an invitation says 4pm, that is the time the ceremony begins, not the time guests should walk in. Plan to arrive between 3.40pm and 3.55pm. This gives you a comfortable buffer for traffic, parking, finding the right entrance and being shown to your seat. If you arrive too early, you may find the venue still setting up. If you arrive at 4pm exactly, you risk walking in during the processional or missing the start altogether.

If the wedding is at a register office or approved venue, the registrar will usually start promptly. For a church or religious building, the service may begin a few minutes after the stated time, but it is still wise to be early. If you are travelling from far away, add extra time for delays. If you are a guest with mobility needs, arrive at the earlier end so you can get settled comfortably.

A good rule is to be in your seat five to ten minutes before the stated time. That way, you can relax, greet people quietly and be ready when the music starts. If you are running late, enter as discreetly as possible and follow the usher's or registrar's guidance.