Seeing people the day of

Night_Sprite

We went to a wedding for one of FI's groomsmen this weekend.  It was a nice wedding with about 175 people in attendance.  Ours will be slightly smaller but I don't anticipate it being much smaller.  Anyway, the bride and groom didn't do a receiving line at the church.  It was hot and they had to go take pictures.  Then at the reception they didn't come around to the tables to greet and thank everyone.  People weren't seated for long/for the same time frame for much of it either.We were planning on greeting people at tables because we don't have the time window at the church, there is a service after the wedding.  Is there a way to guarantee we get a chance to greet people?  I don't want to be rude to people.

sassygal22

we didnt do a receiving line either. After the ceremony, our priest announced that we would be happy to greet all of our guests after dinner, so we made the rounds then.

Night_Sprite

Were people still sitting?  Did you see everyone?  How long did it take?  The logistics of this whole thing worry me.

danieliza1127

Eat your meal really fast and then go around to each table while people are seated and eating.  Or go around to each table while people are seated and eating before you eat, and then eat when you're done. 

Lyss5782

We are not doing a receiving line and are not having a sit-down dinner.  We will try to get around to everyone but Im not going to stress about it.

sassygal22

Well, We had 13 tables, about 130 people, so it didnt take too long. It went pretty smoothly.

tidetravel

I felt really bad because we didn't really get around to all of our tables - DH wouldn't stop talking to his friends.  I was literally pulling at his kilt, like, hey - we have to go say hi. Most people understand what a crazy day a wedding is, and if they feel like they didn't get a chance to say HI, then they will come up to you.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

The theory is that as the hosts of the reception, you shouldn't eat first. So, you can hold true to etiquette and visit tables while your guests are eating, and then eat when they are finished (or as you pass your table, sneak a few bites in before you go to the next). The other thing you could do is eat first (which a lot of people do anyway) and do it very quickly and then go visit tables while people finish up.

Night_Sprite

Does it matter that we're having an aunt/uncle set from each side doing the "hosting" of the reception.  It is basically to help with logistical stuff and make sure people can figure out the escort cards.

notquiteblushing

We aren't doing a receiving line or table visits but I hope we get a chance to see everyone during the course of the weekend as all the guests will be invited to the rehearsal dinner and morning after brunch.  I hate when couples do table visits and don't even get to eat their food.  My guests can hang out with me on the dance floor.

111Kate111

We aren't doing a receiving line either- we plan to take a few bites of food and mingle with guests and go around and say thank-you to tables while they are finishing dinner and eating cake. We will also be at cocktail hour for a bit so I plan on thanking everyone I talk with then too. I think FI is also going to make a quick speech during dinner thanking everyone for coming, etc. Between all that- I hope we can get to everyone

danieliza1127

Does it matter that we're having an aunt/uncle set from each side doing the "hosting" of the reception.That doesn't matter.  As the bride and groom, I think you still need to at least make an attempt to greet every guest and thank them for coming.

Night_Sprite

We had talked about doing a receiving line as people arrived at the reception, but there are two entrances, stairs and elevators, but FI wants to make more of an entrance and be announced and such.  I was there with mostly the groom's college buddies, including FI.  They were bummed because they didn't get to see the groom at all during the reception. I think I'll work on the rounds during dinner and hope for the best.

Night_Sprite

Sure thing about greeting everyone, Dani.  Vogt was just talking about us as the hosts.  We won't techincally be the hosts so I was just clarifying that.  I definitely want to make sure we greet everyone.

banana468

If it's at all possible for you to greet guests during cocktail hour, that's a great start.After that, just eat quickly and get to the tables fast.  You'll most likely be the first people served.  Eat your food and then start the table visits.  We did them in between courses and it worked out very well and we had a similar amount of guests. 

MOBinFL2008

If you're having a buffet, you and your husband can eat first, very quickly, and then visit tables while eveyone else is eating.If you're having a sit down dinner, you can have the venue serve the main entree to you and your husband while everyone else is having their first course (soup, salad, whatever).  That way, you'll at least have eaten and then you can go around while everyone else has their entree.

buttaflai

We had a quick meal together right before the guests arrived so that when dinner was served, we could walk around to each table to greet and thank everyone.It was also nice to share a private meal before the hustle of trying to talk to everyone.

KA2

I'm a 100% sure I will not get to greet everyone/anyone really that comes to my wedding seeing as there will be 500+ people in attendance.

KA2

How many tables do you plan to have? For 175 people between 18 - 21 tables so I say you probably go around for a few minutes while dinner is being served?? I don't know what your reception time line is like. But you might be able to fit it all in.