How do you manage to talk to all of your wedding guests?

Question

How do you have time to talk to all of your guests at the wedding? I mean really engage, not just "Hi, thanks for coming." To complicate matters, there will be a lot of people I don't know at the wedding because it's a double wedding with my sister, so a lot of the guests are friends or family or colleague of her fiance whom I have never met. What do I say to them? "Hi, I'm Jane?" Seems kind of awkward to introduce myself at my own wedding...

Answer 1

This is exactly why people have receiving lines.  That way you greet every one of your guests.  You can have a receiving line with just the ladies if you want and the men can "work" the room talking to people.

My daughter and her husband didn't do the receiving line.  At the dinner reception they went to each table and spoke to the guests there.  

If you do this and you don't know the people, don't worry about it because they certainly KNOW YOU! You could just smile and say something like "It's nice to see you, thanks for celebrating with us"

Answer 2

Jst make ur way around the room or whereever you r and make alo0t of small talk w everybody then appologize 4 rushing off so quick.. They will understand..

Answer 3

Well, greet everyone at the table instead of doing it individually so therefor you won't feel dumb or leave anyone out.  A wedding is a huge occasion and people are going to understand if you didn't indulge in a hour long convo with them not to mention the fact that you aren't going to know half of the people, so of course they aren't going to feel affended....and remember you and your husband should be walking around together so he should be introducing you to family members that you do not know.

Answer 4

between walking around to all the tables (customary) and people coming up to you, you'll manage...so don't stress over it, Hon...good luck.

Answer 5

Don't waste too much time talking with your sister's friends you do'nt know, or her husband's friends or family. Say hi to be polite, but don't talk to them for long about stuff you really don't care about.

Start talking first with the people that you think will leave first.... Like your great aunt Jo or your friend from elementary school. Your immediate family, and close aunts, friends, etc, will stay longer, so wait to talk to them last. Plus you'll have more to talk about with them.

You won't sound like a broken record. There's not much more you can say than that. Just thank them for coming, then I'm sure they'll tell you how beautiful you look and how lovely the wedding was, and say thank you and go on to the next group. :)

Answer 6

i would try to just say hi to your sisters fiances family but i dont think you need to go all out because it would be a little awkward--maybe say hi to his parents sister or brothers and aunts but i dont think you need to say hi to every person in his family..

Answer 7

First, make sure you eat!  I've seen too many not get enough to eat because they're trying to talk to everyone so eat first and make sure you get enough.  It will be a long day.

Go with your bride and say a few words to everyone first.  Just very brief.  Then split up and each of you talk to the ones you know well for a longer time. But don't let anyone trap you into long conversations.  You have the perfect excuse that you have to get to other guests.  

If you have a lot of guests, skip the ones you will be talking to soon after.  You will be able to explain that you didn't get a chance to talk more at the reception and they'll understand.  It's more important to talk to the ones who came from out of town, ones you haven't seen in a long time, or ones you won't see again for some time.  

You can ask about the guests.  They've already seen the wedding so there's no point in talking about it.  But you can relay funny stories if you want.  "How did you like the flowers?  We ordered lilacs and we got lillies!"  or something like that.  Or say how much you're looking forward to going to Paduka or whatever for your honeymoon.  But if you know anything about them, ask about their kids, parents, or how was their trip, things like that.  Show an interest in them.  You may sound like a broken record but it's only polite to start off by thanking them for coming.

Answer 8

You won't have time to "engage" in conversations at your wedding.  It gets too crazy and you get pulled in for this picture and that picture.  Just try to be polite and compliment them on their outfits and yes, you will to do a lot of repeating only because you will constantly hear the same questions "Where did you get your dress?" "Who did your hair?"  And in addressing people, enjoy being able to say, "Hello, I'm Mrs. Jane Smith" and use your new last name.  You will get a kick out of saying it.  Enjoy and have fun.

Answer 9

ppl understand! when i go to wedding i just go up to the bride and groom and says congrats and i know im off to eating, dancing and having a good time! if ppl expect for you all the engage with them for over a minute than they shouldnt even go! its your day and you need to enjoy it to the fullest...not spend all night try to conversate with your guests.

Answer 10

You'll want to go to each table during the reception and say Hi & thanks for coming.  Don't worry about deep conversation - you'll be far to giddy to worry about it.