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Wedding Etiquette Forum
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[Deleted User]
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Too many guests to greet?
Hi,
At my wedding so far we have counted 345 guests. I feel a receiving line would take too long and be really boring for guests to have to wait in a huge queue. Also table visits would take forever! Each table holds 10 people.
What's a new bride to do!?
At my wedding so far we have counted 345 guests. I feel a receiving line would take too long and be really boring for guests to have to wait in a huge queue. Also table visits would take forever! Each table holds 10 people.
What's a new bride to do!?
Re: Too many guests to greet?
If you do table visits, as you and your spouse will be among the first served, do a few visits between each course. If you are having a buffet meal, begin doing your visits as you see tables finishing their meals.
I'm personally not sure which would be more efficient for you time wise (35 table visits vs. 345 handshakes, though I'd guess the table visits) but you've got to do one or the other.
Here's what helped us IMMENSELY - we had a DoC (Day-of-coordinator) who escorted us to each table. She kept an eye on her watch and gave us 2 minutes per table. Once the 2 minutes were up, she gracefully excused us and took us to the next table. If you have 34 tables & take 2 minutes per table, that's just over an hour.
Keep in mind, too, when you get overwhelmed that your guest list includes people like your bridal party & immediate family. I don't think your parents & bridesmaids expect you to take time to greet them
Definitely make an effort, though. I've been to weddings where the couple doesn't attempt to visit their guests, and it always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
You have a light snack before the ceremony. Arrange for a quick banana/apple/ almonds after the ceremony. During the cocktail hour make sure the venue gets you a separate plate of canapes during your photography. If you are THAT worried about being starving, have a sandwich or a bread roll before you are introduced.
Let's say you have 10 people per table:
You are introduced. You have the venue serve you two first and you have 5-8 minutes to quickly eat your starter, then you do a table visit of 12 tables, 3 minutes per table (36 minutes)
Everything is cleared. You get back to your table, have 10 minutes to quickly eat your main course (again, have the venue serve you first), then you do 15 table visits (45 minutes)
You quickly have a 10 minute dessert, and then do the remaining 10 tables whilst they are eating desert (30 minutes).
You also have the wait staff box up any leftover meals so you and your husband can have food at the hotel later if you are still hungry.
The reception isn't for you, it is for you to thank your guests for witnessing your wedding.
It seems like you are looking for us to say 'Don't worry about it, everyone understands'. That simply isn't the case. No one, including your guests, is going to be OK with you not greeting everyone.
You CHOSE to have a 375 person wedding, it is time for you to accept that this means you aren't going to have a leisurely sit down meal. Actions have consequences.
Also, my friend stood at the door to her reception and greeted every guest as they arrived. I loved it.
1) Invite fewer guests (only if you haven't sent out invitations or save-the-dates already)
2) Get over it and personally greet every guest.
You made the decision that all of those people should be invited. Ignoring any of them would be a huge faux pas.
DH and I greeted our guests during dinner. Our venue had a bridal attendant though, and she brought lots of delicious apps that were being served during cocktail hour while we took photos, and then more food throughout the reception when it looked like we had a moment to sit (which was rare). Ask your venue if they offer this service.
HUGE ditto @ookimoo don't try to greet everyone during cocktail hour. Everyone's moving around too much (as they should), you'd definitely miss people.
I've been to weddings with 700 people and I didn't get a chance to speak to the bride and groom. Not saying that it's right, but I would still speak to them! 700 people is a lot to get through!
We are having a buffet. I didn't want to start greeting people until they were all seated otherwise I thought I might miss some. But it will take a while for everyone to eat, even though we are gaving multiple stations. I prefer buffets to plated meals because of the variety.