Logistics at reception

jessicaemery30

I am working on our wedding day timeline and figured out that FH and I will be able to be at the cocktail hour for the last 30 minutes or so prior to dinner. I'm wondering if we need to be formally introduced prior to entering the cocktail hour, or if we can just show up, hang out with our guests, and then be introduced after everyone sits down just prior to dinner...We are having our cocktail hour in a separate area from where the dinner will be, so it'd be hard to get announced since the cocktail hour is kind of L-shaped...thoughts? TIA!

AddieCake

Do you even have to be announced? Our minister did that at the end of the ceremony before we walked back up the aisle.  That was enough for us. I'm not trying to be biiitchy about it; it just isn't something that has happened at any wedding I've attended, so I'm not really familiar with the need for this. 

itzMS

Agreed with pp. Just join your party. Everyone will know who you are and why you're there.

If you're doing a first dance, your DJ/MC can announce you as Mr. & Mrs. at that time.

[Deleted User]

When we had our reception we just joined in on the cocktail hour, got a drink and started going around & saying hi to people. The DJ gathered the bridal party at the end of the cocktail hour in the hallway & then got the guests to all be seated for dinner and then introduced our parents, the bridal party & then us. It worked out just fine.

Maggie0829

You can certainly join your cocktail hour and then be introduced formally into the reception once the cocktail hour is over.

In my circle introductions always occur so that is what we did.  We didn't go to our cocktail hour because that was when 90% of our pictures took place.  But even if we did attend the cocktail hour we still would have had the introductions at the start of the reception.

Tami87

We attended the cocktail hour and my husband and I tried to hang out by the front doors and great people as they arrived (ceremony was at a separate location). Guests then moved into the main room for dinner. We waited until everyone was seated and then the DJ introduced the wedding party and us. This is pretty common in my circle and worked out fine.

I actually much prefer the bride and groom attending the cocktail hour and mingling with guests instead of being at the location but off on their own with the wedding party (unless they are still taking pictures). This happened at one wedding I attended and the bride and groom and the wedding party were hanging out outside on the patio at their own bar, while the guests were inside where there was another bar. We could see them through the windows and we went out to chat, but then felt weird about it. It was unclear if just the wedding party was supposed to be outside and the bride and groom made no effort to talk to anyone but the wedding party.

jessicabessica

We attended our cocktail hour and then were formally introduced at the start of the reception (we walked in last).  That's what I've seen at most of the weddings I've attended, too.

melb2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_logistics-at-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:8c5f15eb-f1e1-4860-9160-5f96458a6aa1Post:98a7e5dd-9826-4d3f-b5ef-d6440dd20682">Re: Logistics at reception</a>:
[QUOTE]My experience is that the DJ or emcee usually announce the couple upon entering the reception.  Have you allowed for enough time for pictures after the wedding?  <strong>If your wedding is more informal, you can just show up and be casual about it.</strong> For us, we have been told that when we arrive at the reception, we'll be in a little room with our bridal party where they'll bring us some cheese and snacks while they make sure everyone is ready for introductions. 
Posted by TXKristan[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>What is currently known as "grand introductions" have nothing to do with if the wedding is formal or informal- it is a fairly new wedding trend.  The first time I saw a wedding with this, I actually cringed at the thought of grown people acting like such fools just so their names, which we all knew already, could be said over a PA.  I realize I'm the odd one here, but I can guarantee that your grandparents didn't feel the need to shout out their names to a group of people who already know them (and married couples are usually introduced at the end of the ceremony too) just so they can force themselves to be center of attention even more.  As a professional performer I know what it's like to be the center of attention for my job- so it's not like this gives me stage fright, but it makes me physically uncomfortable thinking that people have such an overwhelming need to be the center of attention, when it's already "their day" and everyone already knows that. Not trying to be a biatch here, this is just how I perceive intros and I think it's important for people to realize that it's not a requirement for a wedding.</div><div>OP, if you truly want an intro, do it before the reception, not the cocktail hour, as PPs have suggested.

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jessicaemery30

Thanks ladies, for your thoughts! I haven't been to a TON of weddings, so I wasn't sure if we could do what most of you are suggesting without being weird. We'll just hang out at the cocktail hour with our guests, then be announced with our bridal party at the beginning of the reception after everyone's been seated. Wasn't sure if this was common, but I'm very relieved that it is! THANKS!

OwningAHome1981

usually the B&G, parents and wedding party are announced into the reception hall after the cocktail hour.