Suggestions for transition

netskyblue2

We are having our ceremony & reception at the same location, an architectural salvage shop.  We have the whole first floor, which has a "front" and "back" room.  They are connected, but separated by the large center island, which is a coffee shop.  We will have the food set up in warmers on the counter in this island, and the guests will be seated at the tables they will eat at.  

It's been described to me as the tables will be rectangles, coming at an angle to form an aisle in between them.  We are inviting around 60 people.  Our close family, about 10 people or so, will be seated in chairs in front of the tables.

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I'll come down the aisle, we'll get hitched, and then...  This is where I'm needing some guidance.  

Should we walk back down the aisle, to the area in back of the tables, and as we sign the marriage license, have our officiant instruct the tables that they may now proceed to the buffet?  That kind of seems...abrupt.  We should have already finished most if not all the photos before the guests arrive.  But really, the food will be set up and ready throughout the ceremony, I'm not sure what reason there would be to delay eating.

The dancing will occur in the "back" room, separate from the table area, but still visible, so people may sit at the tables, or join the dancing in the back, after the meal. 

OliveOilsMom

netskyblue2 said:

We are having our ceremony & reception at the same location, an architectural salvage shop.  We have the whole first floor, which has a "front" and "back" room.  They are connected, but separated by the large center island, which is a coffee shop.  We will have the food set up in warmers on the counter in this island, and the guests will be seated at the tables they will eat at.  

It's been described to me as the tables will be rectangles, coming at an angle to form an aisle in between them.  We are inviting around 60 people.  Our close family, about 10 people or so, will be seated in chairs in front of the tables.

/   \

/   \

/   \


I'll come down the aisle, we'll get hitched, and then...  This is where I'm needing some guidance.  

Should we walk back down the aisle, to the area in back of the tables, and as we sign the marriage license, have our officiant instruct the tables that they may now proceed to the buffet?  That kind of seems...abrupt.  We should have already finished most if not all the photos before the guests arrive.  But really, the food will be set up and ready throughout the ceremony, I'm not sure what reason there would be to delay eating.

The dancing will occur in the "back" room, separate from the table area, but still visible, so people may sit at the tables, or join the dancing in the back, after the meal. 

Your guests may not want to go right into dinner, if you and your FI are not eating with them.  Usually the B&G are the first to eat and your guests may not want to eat without you.  Speak with our photographer to ensure that they will be completely finished with pictures prior to your ceremony.  If you need to have any photos done after the ceremony, you should supply your guests with some kind of appetizers instead of going right into dinner.  Then when your photos are done, you can be introduced back into reception area and begin dinner.

Can you speak with your officiant and see if you and your FI can pre-sign the marriage license?  Then after the ceremony, only your witnesses and the officiant would need to sign the license  (this is how our priest did it). This would free up what you would need to do after the ceremony and go right into dinner, followed by your guests eating dinner.

emmyg65

We had something similar to this. I thought people would just start eating, but no one would start at the buffet till we got our food!

I'd suggest that you walk back down the aisle, quickly sign the license, mingle a bit with your guests and then grab a plate and get a quick bite to eat.

[Deleted User]

I think you can allow yourself a few moments to do the paperwork and let your guests get some drinks, I'm assuming you will have some sort of bar alcoholic or not and then people can go sit down. Then you can go get your food and then invite everyone else to join in. Traditionally the bride and groom get their food first, then the bridal party & then parents tables, etc.