When should guests leave a wedding?

[MOB Karen]

Let us know your thoughts about this. :)

[ladymelissa]

Pretty much whenever they want to leave.

The most interesting thing about our wedding was about half of the guests elected to not come to the ceremony and only showed up at the reception.

[Kacie_bride]

In a way they should be able to come and go as they please, but I think out of politness most guest should stay until after the meal, speeches, toasts, and cutting of the cake. However, I am doing this all pretty early on so people who do not want to stay and party can go home.

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

My family feels that they should leave after seeing the Bride and Groom off... I feel like if they want to leave before that, its perfectly fine with me. I want them to have a good time and stay, but if they want to leave then thats fine by me. I would hope out of respect for the event that they would at least stay for the special things like the toast, first dance, and cake cutting, but if they dont I'm not holding it against them.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I believe all of our guests stayed until at least after the first dance....most stayed and closed the party down at 1 am. (LOng after we were gone! lol)

[AngelinLove]

I think they should stay for the first dance and toasts/speeches...I just feel that it is the polite thing to do!!!!

[Amber818]

They can come and go as they please.

[LaceyinPgh]

Come and go as they please. People have lives. My wedding might not be their top priority, I understand that. If they want to just pop in and say congratulations, I'm fine with that.

[mariaandmanish]

I'm leaving at the end of the reception, so I feel my guests can pretty much leave whenever they want. I would assume they wouldn't leave until after eating, at the earliest, otherwise why even come to the reception! lol.

[nikkiana]

I'm kinda torn between come and go as they please and waiting till after the cake/first dance are served...

[KristyGirl]

At least through dinner, I'd say.

[brewsells]

I think they can come and go as they please. As Lacey said, people have lives and may have other things they need to attend to. I won't be offended in the least if people leave early.