Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

disneefan Posted: Jul 27, 2008 01:44 PM

Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

I want to be able to enjoy the wedding by dancing and eating but of course, i want to mingle with my guests and make sure i get to everyone. What is the best way to do this? I know people will constantly be coming up to me to talk. How do I keep the conversations short so i can attend to every thing else? Is this selfish of me? I just want to ensure that i have a good time too and savor everything we've been planning for so long.

HeatherRose Posted: Jul 27, 2008 01:50 PM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

there's no real science to it, but if thats all important to you make your cocktail hour and talk to alot of guests then so that you've hit most of them by the time the reception starts. its not selfish we wanted this too, also see each other before hand and do all our photos early so they are out of the way. it worked really well for us.

Kricket212 Posted: Jul 27, 2008 02:30 PM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

Thats a Great tip. Thanks

Espo22 Posted: Jul 27, 2008 03:22 PM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

when i arrived at the RH, the maitre'd welcomed me and spoke to me about a few things. One thing he said to me is that many times guests will pull you in every direction and try to talk forever, he said to come up with a sign when i need to be pulled away. I think i was supposed to scratch my ear, and it was funny bc i was talking to guests and i just fixed my earring and maitre'd came over to tell me he needed me for a sec, and he said 'you needed me to get you away right?' i said oh no i was fixing my earring but thank you bc i was at that table a long time and did need it. I had forgotten to do the sign though but talk to your maitre'd about this. This way you can get through the tables quicker.

Say hello at CH is good also, i didnt do this but maybe should've lol

disneefan Posted: Jul 28, 2008 12:11 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

Thanks. We will be attending our cocktail hour and we are taking pictures beforehand.

DrWho Posted: Jul 28, 2008 08:26 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

You can get to a lot of people at the CH. We took a few minutes to eat some of the CH food (there was a small CH buffet set up in the bridal suite for the wedding party), and we still had enough time to get to about half the guests.

lillprincess54 Posted: Jul 28, 2008 10:22 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

we attended our CH. so we where able to get most of our hellos and conversations out of the way

roan126 Posted: Jul 28, 2008 10:34 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

CH is a great way to greet people. We also went around to all of the tables during the parts when people were eating, so we made sure that we got a chance to talk to everyone. People will try to pull you in all directions, and I think I did have to push people away once or twice, but in the end it all works itself out. I had plenty of time to dance.

Snick n Nick Posted: Jul 28, 2008 11:11 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

Most people at our wedding chatted for a second, gave us their card, and said, don't stand here talking to us!! go enjoy yourselves!! So I guess it really depends on your family

ETA: We did table rounds during the salad I think....or maybe the entree? or both? I don't remember haha....

mariaobride Posted: Jul 28, 2008 11:28 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

Try to mingle during the cocktail hour if you or you can do that during dinner. Most of the time the bride and groom are served first. When you are finished walk around briefly to each table. Personally I felt so bad interrupting their dinner but there was a gap for Dh and I. I couldn't go around to everyone because then we had to get back in our seats because the montage was being played during dinner as well. (I timed the montage wrong, my mistake). I even went to the bar from time to time and went outside so I spoke to about 95% of my guests (very briefly) in passing. Trust me you will figure how to balance it. Not many guests kept us for a long time chatting, and Denise is right our Bridal Attendant was awesome and worked with escorting us.

HTH!

PegaLega Posted: Jul 28, 2008 11:54 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

I didnt attend my CH but I got to say hello and thank everyone and still enjoyed the h3ll out of my wedding.
I would just say hi and keep going...not rudely but there are some guests who will sit and want to talk to you about when you were 3 years old...you just keep moving.

Good Luck, Espo mentioned coming up with a sign to get you moving. We didnt do this but the Maitre D did come up to me regularly and pulled me away if I was at one person too long. This is a great idea.

snwb08 Posted: Jul 28, 2008 01:17 PM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

Posted by disneefan

Thanks. We will be attending our cocktail hour and we are taking pictures beforehand.

this is what i did, said hi to everyone at the CH, and danced pretty much throughout the entire reception

DCW 2008 Posted: Jul 29, 2008 10:09 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

I just went onto the dance floor and danced with everyone. If someone wanted to chat, I would drag them onto the dance floor.

mls282 Posted: Jul 29, 2008 11:24 AM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

I haven't had my wedding yet but what I learned from others is to do pictures before hand so during cocktail hour you can make your rounds and get through most everyone before you get to the reception... that way you can eat dance and have a great time!

TrueLoveIn2008 Posted: Jul 29, 2008 12:35 PM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

This is a great thread! My FH doesn't know how to 'walk away' from anyone - our neighbor always catches his ear and he doesn't know how to say 'I have to go, bye.' So I am adding this to the list of things I need to ask my RH when I meet with them next month - can the maitre d come over if we are talking too long?? I am not worried about me but I am worried about FH!

Cpt2007 Posted: Jul 29, 2008 12:39 PM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

We didn't attend the CH, but were able to get to everyone at the tables in between dinner courses. We weren't concerned with partying all that much though. We wanted to make sure we got to speak to each of our guests, especially the ones that came from far distances that we didn't see on a regular basis.

wifetobe Posted: Jul 29, 2008 12:40 PM

Re: Kind of weird question for all but esp. past brides

Posted by JBoothIn2008

This is a great thread! My FH doesn't know how to 'walk away' from anyone - our neighbor always catches his ear and he doesn't know how to say 'I have to go, bye.' So I am adding this to the list of things I need to ask my RH when I meet with them next month - can the maitre d come over if we are talking too long?? I am not worried about me but I am worried about FH!

ME TOOO!! FH is horrible at walking away!!!