When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

BriBri529 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 12:18 AM

When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

I am just curious as to when everyone plans on doing this. Is it better to get it done cloder to the beginning? As dinner is finishing up? I know this may seem like a stupid question, but I just want to make sure I do it at the most appropriate time possible . . . TIA

Boop2704 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 12:39 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

Honestly, there is no appropriate time. You are going to be busy from start to finish with special dances, speeches, eating, dancing, cake cutting that you really just have to get around as much as possible when you have no one pulling you for a picture. I got around a bit at the cocktail hour, I went for about 20 minutes. I went around a bit during dancing, but then I would get dragged back on the dance floor by someone. The most I got to actually go around to see people was the end of the night. Just make sure you don't stay with one group of people too long. Seriously, stop, say hi ask if they are having a good time, thank them and move on. I got trapped a few times and luckily someone would come and pull me away. The old people are the ones who really want you to actually sit down and talk, so watch out for them. I wanted to have some kind of signal with my bridal attendant incase someone wouldn't let me leave their table, so she could rescue me!! Just pace yourself and go with the flow. If you don't get to everyone, don't panic, they understand. Just tell your FH to make sure he mingles too that way atleast one of you will see each person!!

[email protected] Posted: Jul 30, 2004 01:23 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

BOOP that was great advise,....

I have another one for you, or anyone else, you know how towards the end a guests start forming a line to give the bride and groom their envelopes? Well how does this become initiated?

Thanks!

usuk2004 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 06:54 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

Oops, we didnt' do this We totally ran out of tiem, is that super rude? We had a receiving line coming out of church, so I thought that that was greeting your guests...We both did mingle, but we didn't really make much of an effort to go around to each table.

As for envelopes, most everyone was there until the DJ finished and then they just sort of came over to say goodbye and handed us envelopes.

babybride Posted: Jul 30, 2004 07:55 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

I saw a few people and chatted with them at the cocktail hour. But as I was told from a few friends - the sooner you do it the more you can enjoy yourselves. So right after the first dance while the appetizer was out we started. We got through a few tables then danced a little since so many people were up the tables were empty and then during dinner we went back around. There was just one table we could never get to cause they were always up dancing. We got them right after the cake cutting! And then the rest of the night was smooth sailing. Seriously start early and just like BOOP said try not to end up spending too much time at one table.

Niecey Posted: Jul 30, 2004 08:54 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

I did not plan on spending time makin grounds for I wanted people to dance and party and often I see brides and grooms spending the whole time doing rounds they never have fun and often this reflects in the guests not having fun - but this is my opinion. During the cocktail hour - DH and I tried to walk around and chat with as many people as possible. During the viennesse hour - which was in a separate room - we also walked around and chatted with people in the room or those still in the reception room. Other than that we talked with people here and there and also danced with many different people on the dance floor. We also made a pact not to get stuck and to look out for each other (not easy because you are so involved with everything else) and also told our parents to keep on a look out and make sure we are having fun and not stuck chatting for a half hour when we could be eating or dancing and such...worked for me!

september2004 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 08:58 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

we are having a receiving line for this reason...a way to say 'thanks' right off the bat...

we will have a smaller group of people 80-100 so we anticipate it being more manageable. i have heard from brides that a lot of times it's a day of saying 'hello' and 'goodbye' when you have a large crowd...

DecBride04 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 08:58 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

FH and I are planning on doing it right in the begining. Just after the first dance and toast. We want to get it done with early, so that we can enjoy the wedding for the rest of the night.

BriBri529 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 09:07 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

Posted by DecBride04

FH and I are planning on doing it right in the begining. Just after the first dance and toast. We want to get it done with early, so that we can enjoy the wedding for the rest of the night.

This is what I wanted to do, but wasn't sure! Thanks!

Donna Posted: Jul 30, 2004 09:26 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

We made a point to say hello during the first course then went to the other side during the pasta course. I think we got everyone and were able to really enjoy our wedding. Use your bridal attendant if needed - we told ours if she saw someone talking to us too long to let us know we were needed someplace else. You will have some guests that will just talk and talk......

Also dance as much as you and DH can. It really makes a difference - so many people mentioned to us how great it was to see us on the dance floor - and it makes your crowd get up too.

nylisa Posted: Jul 30, 2004 09:43 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

Posted by DecBride04

FH and I are planning on doing it right in the begining. Just after the first dance and toast. We want to get it done with early, so that we can enjoy the wedding for the rest of the night.

Us too. We are also going to talk to as many people as we can during cocktail hour.

suven Posted: Jul 30, 2004 09:56 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

try to do it ASAP...

we started, got pulled away, and ended up missing a couple of tables all together. We did have a receiving line, and we did DANCE ALL NIGHT...

But, would you believe that a couple of people from the few tables that we missed actually commented on it, as they were leaving! And, they're not old....

They were just like, 'Oh, it's a shame we never got a chance to say hello. Well, we had a great time!'

LADYLUV69 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 09:56 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

I don't know exactly when we will do it, so we will just play it by ear.

samsbride Posted: Jul 30, 2004 11:17 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

Do not play it by ear. I ended up spending EVERY minute going table to table (150 guests). People talked forever and I couldn't get away - I felt bad. Do not start long conversation. Tell them how happy you are they came and plan your exit. People want so much time with you and it can take all night.
Perhaps it is better to go around while people are eating (I didn't eat a bite all night). They will want to get back to their food. Then dance for a while and go table to table at the end.
If you don't make your own fun a priority - it won't happen

Stacey04 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 11:26 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

FH and I plan to do it at CH. I want to enjoy the whole reception and dance to the band we are paying for!

nferrandi Posted: Jul 30, 2004 11:36 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

We're going to start during CH hour. We'll try to make our way around during appetizers and salad so that we can eat and dance for the rest of the night.

jvs77 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 11:39 AM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

I plan on doing this at our cocktail hour to free the reception up for as much dancing as possible!

Adrianna Posted: Jul 30, 2004 12:58 PM

Re: When do you plan on making your 'rounds' at the reception?

We went around durning cocktail and said hi to everyone, then we went around again while people were eating b/c i wasnt go and say hi while the music was playing