Slide Show - when to have it?

JFH2010 · March 2010

I know this must be on here somewhere, but my apologies that I can't find it....I want to have a short slideshow at my reception, but I'm not sure when to play it. I don't think I want to have it running on loop somewhere. Is there a protocol for when to play it? FYI I'm having a buffet meal.

Thanks in advance!

trix1223 · March 2010

I'm not a fan of slideshows that everyone has to stop and watch. If you must have one, I prefer it on a loop on a table somewhere to the side where guests can go watch it if they want to.

Personally, I find them boring, and I also think that because they are a passive activity, they bring a reception to a stop.

Your guests are all sitting and chatting and enjoying their meal, and suddenly they all have to stop to stare at a screen. OR they're enjoying the cocktail hour-mingling and catching up, and they have to stop to stare at a screen. OR they're enjoying dancing, and the dancing stops to make everyone stare at a screen.

People who are at your wedding know you or know your FI. I just don't see why they have to sit through a slide show of you.

Sorry, not exactly the answer to your question, I know.

emmie2003 · March 2010

I've heard of having them at the rehersal dinner more often than at the wedding. That way there's a small group of people who are closer to you. They're gonna be the ones to sit and watch it, not your coworkers and second cousins.

jenn.daniel · March 2010

I saw one during the cocktail hour. It worked well because the reception was in a museum and the slide show was in one of the theater rooms.

Islamorada14 · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_slide-show?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:beb945ab-3206-4a30-b257-8a2fb7ab2024Post:7165e832-6cd9-482d-ba5a-48d1280562aa">Re: Slide Show - when to have it?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not a fan of slideshows that everyone has to stop and watch. If you must have one, I prefer it on a loop on a table somewhere to the side where guests can go watch it if they want to.

Personally, I find them boring, and I also think that because they are a passive activity, they bring a reception to a stop.
Posted by trix1223[/QUOTE]

I agree 100%

bethbloom · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_slide-show?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:beb945ab-3206-4a30-b257-8a2fb7ab2024Post:3cb0f925-93fa-4143-9de4-fe1807444e75">Re: Slide Show - when to have it?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Slide Show - when to have it? : I agree 100%
Posted by Islamorada14[/QUOTE]

3rd. They awkward and unless you're in pictures or have known the couple for a long, long time, it's just not that interesting.

jeanna85 · March 2010

yeah slide shows are pretty boring to everyone except your parents and grandparents. and if u insist on having it, see if your hall can set up a few flat screens (sometimes you can rent them thru ur dj) and just have them playing on continuous loop. its boring to have everyone stop dancing/talking to watch the slide show. kind of kills the flow of ur reception

duckie1905 · March 2010

ditto trix.

Maybe the RD would be a better choice?

homediva · March 2010

I like watching the slideshows! If I know the couple well, it's fun to see them growing up; and if I don't know them well, it's a fun way to see them through the years. I didn't realize so many people didn't enjoy them! I always find people are watching and sniffling and laughing, and I go to a ton of weddings, so maybe it varies by regio.

anyway, to answer your question, II think you have a few options - lots of people play it at the RD as pp suggested. Or, you can have the type that is a "background" slide show and play it as guests are finding their seats, during speeches etc. Or, near the end of dinner during speeches etc, have the emcee or someone giving a speech introduce it. I don't know if there is a specific time to show it, it just has to work with your reception. Good luck!

Truffle2011 · March 2010

I like the idea of showing it at the rehearsal dinner, but if you're not doing a continuous loop, I'd say maybe a cute option is to have it play in the background while you do your first dance/family dances! Its seems sort of romantic to see young you and such in the pictures and you dancing away!

amagwire · March 2010

Slideshows are boring and painfully awkward.

JFH2010 · March 2010

Ok maybe I should have clarified in my original post that I realize many people don't like them, but that's not the information I'm looking for. I'm having one because I've really enjoyed them at other people's weddings.. Thanks to pple who actually answered my question!

Slide Show - when to have it?

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