My nephew asked me to make cupcakes for his wedding.  My question is how early can I set up?? 
They will be eating around 6 so can I set up at 12:00.

What will the frosting be? That will help to know.

It will be buttercream.  I was afraid to leave them out for 6 hours wondering if they will dry out.  I am putting a swirl on top (think I use a 1m).  It also will be in air conditioned place so I am not afraid of melting.

Just wondering how early it is ok to set up for a wedding??  None of the items need to be refrigerated.

That does seem a bit long to me. I don't normally like to see cupcakes sit out for that long of a time period.  I'm assuming part of the reason you would like to set up this early is so you can return home (or to the hotel) bath, and dress for the wedding. Since these are cupcakes and not a wedding cake that might need any additional borders or other trim piped after the cake is assembled what I would suggest is have the cupcake stand or whatever it is you're using to display the cupcakes set up and ready to go.  Then, have all the cupcakes there in closed containers such as Tupperware or something similar, that allows them to be placed on the stand in just a few minutes before the reception.  You could even sneak out of the wedding at the very last minute to beat the rest of the crowd to do the set-up yourself if necessary.  Another solution, if you have everything ready to go you could give instructions for the other people who will be at the reception location to place them for you. Normally at a reception site once food begins to arrive and other arrangements are being prepared the room is not left unattended.  (At least it shouldn't be left unattended unless it's at someone's home). 

I thought too it was maybe to long. It's not until August so I have sometime experiment and maybe I will let some set out for 6 hours and then try them.  Thanks!

AI think that is too long, as well. Is it American buttercream or European? European will last longer than American, and keep the cupcakes moist. American may turn hard as a rock.

So what is the standard time for setting up cupcake for people that do weddings??

I usually set up as the wedding is going on and that only leaves them an hour or two of sitting out before the guests arrive. (plus the hours that is takes before they start eating them)

What about 5? Unless you have a lot of work to do while setting up. If you get there too early you run the risk of getting there before tables are dressed etc.
 

The wedding is at 2:00 and a 30 min drive so people will be arriving at 3:30.  The plan on eating at 6:00.  I thought I would set up at 12:00 latest 1:00.  I guess I can always set up at 3:00 just leave wedding early and I have 2 kids and husband that will help me set them out.  I assumed decorators set up about that early but I guess I was wrong.  Thanks for all the info!!

Try if you can to set up as close as you can do the eating time ;-)