Help! Football game is on same day as wedding!

lmtucker13

We just found out that there is a college football game on the same night as our wedding and reception. I would like to try and acknowledge the game at our reception with a favor of some sort. I was also going to have the DJ announce score updates. Any idea on what I could place on the table or at each place setting to acknowledge the game and the fact that many people would probably be at the game if it wasn't for our wedding?? I still want to keep it classy and not turn into a football themed reception.

shlee323

I was recently at a wedding this fall that had this same problem.  They did not mention the game until after the speeches were made by the wedding party and everyone was finished eating.  When the bride and groom thanked everyone for being there they finished by sayng "Go HAWKS!" and then the DJ played the school's fight song, since most of the people attending were Hawkeye fans everyone sang the fight song and it got a lot of people on the dance floor.  Their favors were also labeled with tags that said Thanks for sharing our special day, __&___ Oct. 10, 2009. and then at the bottom said Go Hawks! Other than the typical update from the DJ of the score the game really wasn't mentioned again.  I thought this was nice, as the game wasn't the focus, but it was still acknowledged, and it was a nice way to get people excited and ready to dance!

CA2MT4EveR

Just know that if anyone is a die hard fan and it is a home game, they may opt for the game over your wedding.  And there will be phones, radios, etc with the game on.  If it's in a place that is more than just weddings, people may sneak out to catch the game on the tvs.

fishieballerina

I have this same problem with a NASCAR race being held less than 30 mins. from where I am getting married. My FI's family are NASCAR fans, and I am a little fearful some will leave to go to the race. Oh well.

trix1223

My son, who was an all state soccer player managed to set his and DIL's wedding date on the day of the World Cup final.  (They didn't realize, obviously!)

People had  the information coming in~not big deal.  I think having the dj announce score updates is probably plenty.  I'm not even sure what you mean by something on the table to acknowledge that people chose your wedding over the game.....

dsouldiva

I wouldn't mention the score, purely because there will be people who are recording the game to watch when they get home and they won't want to know.

There will be people checking their phones for updates but it's not going to detract from your day, just make sure that your venue isn't showing the match in another room or you'll lose some of the guests.

There was a bride last year who had this and her and her fi actually arranged to show the recorded match at an after party after the reception, I think this worked out quite well for them as both her and her fi wanted to see the game.

Sue-n-Kevin

I think the prior posters mentioned all the football themed things I could think of.

I live near Detroit, and planning weddings around major league events and college football games is always a problem. People around here know not to plan anything in May or June (NBA and NHL playoffs) or October (college football, the World Series). Whever it's been an issue because a team surprises you and gets to an important event, the brides and grooms work with their venue to have at least one tv on hand. This insures that people will show up, and even with the distraction of people watching the game, it doesn't ruin the wedding. It shows your guests that you are attentive to their needs.

Good luck with your situation.

AmandaK2010

If possible, you should put a TV in a side-room or in the hall outside the tv.  Then, everyone can check the scores and the die-hard fans can watch.  While it may distract some, I think it can solve some of the problem.

krmabojo

First thing that came to my mind was have a TV, plug it in and let people watch.

Not sure how that would go over though...

ashleypastori

LOL  Living in the South, where fall Saturdays are considered "holy days", I knew not to plan my wedding during football season.  I guess in your case, it would have been even worse to plan one during basketball season?   I like the idea of doing a cookie in the shape of a wildcat or maybe just some sort of blue and gray favor.  I also agree with having a tv in another room, if possible, with the game on.  If not, an afterparty for everyone to watch the recorded game would be a great idea.  I actually know a lot people who would skip a friend's wedding just to watch a football game...