Its been a while since I attended a wedding in Pakistan, so no comments on that.
For weddings and other functions (especially smaller private parties at friends' place) here in the US, it kinda depends on the expectations. We have a reputation of showing up pretty close to the invitation time. So the hosts usually tell us that "we have told other people the time is 7 pm. But since you are on time, please come at 8 pm". That way everyone is there about the same time. Getting to a place is not a problem, but waiting for everyone else to show up is irritating. For our own functions, we tell people that this is the time, and then open up dinner even if someone didn't show up. If someone's tardy, thats their problem, and we hate to penalize those who came on time (by keeping them waiting), for the sake of those who can't come on time. Now everyone knows that our functions start on time, so people also show up on time as well.
For those functions where are invited and we know the start time is going to be very late, we excuse ourselves from attending anyway, since our kids go to sleep early. There is no point in making our kids suffer for the sake of those who can't show up on time.
Re: the unhealthy food, well thats desi food for you. Home cooked meals are much better than catered food.
My own brother-in-law and his wife showed up 2 hours late to their own valima ! Apparently the bride took her time dressing up !!
The goray-amreekan guests at the party were so confused. They kept asking when will the bride and groom arrive. We had to keep telling them “they’ll be here shortly.” And after 2 hours late, both bride and groom casually walked in as if nothing was wrong. I was so ashamed ! Poor non-desi guests had to wait ages before food was served !
Pakistanis in general have NO concept of time. Not only do they NOT care about being punctual but they don’t even care how their tardiness affects others who do show up on time ! Its pathetic.
You're supposed to eat before going to these events since most times food is delayed because not of guests arriving late but due to caterers always being slack. And if you don't like rich desi food, then bring your own.
That's the best thing to do: Serve the dinner on time, and whoever comes late, leave the caterers to clean up, and have a microwave in the wedding hall in case people want to warm up the cold food for themselves.
I don’t think there was any late comers for the wedding (or maybe i just dont’ remember since I was stuck in the room all alone ).. as for hte food be lucky u guys got fed.. neitehr of us got any food from the mehndi o baraat
My little sis's wedding went all so smoothly and i can't recall her being hidden away from prying eyes...i guess they do things differently in your neck of the woods. :p
Well in my childhood I attended all the weddings during day time! It was only in the 80's that people began to hold marriges in the evening here in Karachi. And year by year, the late culture began to grow!
There was a time when everything used to wind up by 10 o'clock! Now it even does not start by 11!
My freind invited me on his niece wedding in London in 2005! He asked me to come at 7. I thought that would be too early so I arrived at quarter to eight! I was surprised to that people had taken dinner and the bride and groom were about to board their limuosine!
PCG, stop going to these stupid events. When people invite you, just say that you are used to having meals at certain times and going to bed at certain times and that those things are important to you. If enough people stop dignifying such absurdities, maybe people will change.
I guess everyone thinks like you i.e. “No one will be there at 6 so lets just go late at 7/7:30”
How about you showing up on time i.e. at 6:00pm and then criticize others
I personally don’t stay late at these functions and leave when I think its getting late. Its hard for everyone specially school going children. Down side: I have to buy tuna sandwich on my way back
Part of the problem was when they starting enforcing that stupid "no-dinner-at-weddings" rule in Pakistan. That meant people had a reception at the normal dinner time and just served drinks, and then everyone gathered at like 1am to eat dinner in someone's lawn. And it's just gotten worse and worse.
Reading this thread has made me laugh so much. When i got married we were really strict abt timing cos i married some1 English he doesnt understand this asian concept of time and eating shaadi food at 10pm. We served dinner by 7. Some ppl turned up at 9 and they looked so sheepish cos a special table had to b laid out for them. It is a funny concept tho. One wedding i went to last yr dinner wasnt served until midnight and hubs was fuming and we left after the starters cos hubs had to go to work the next day(as it was a sunday night) but the dulhans side got so offended that we didnt stay and have dessert!
).. as for hte food be lucky u guys got fed.. neitehr of us got any food from the mehndi o baraat 
and oo and aaaaa 
