What's the best way to make personal time for ALL of your guests at your wedding reception?

Question

I don't like the idea of the receiving line at the back of the church. We're inviting about 250-300 people and I know that people are going to get antsy and stuff while they wait to exit the church. Also, with that many people, if we spend 5 minutes with each family we're inviting, that could equal out to 3-4 hours, and that's not gonna work. The reception's going to start at 5, and no offense, but I don't want to do nothing but walk around for the first 3 hours... Any ideas?

Answer 1

There is no easy answer to that!  A receiving line or table visits are your best bet!  

Answer 2

Our guests walked into the reception hall and began eating while we were still taking pictures.  When we walked into the reception hall, we had to take more pictures, do the toast, cut the cake, etc.  After that, we grabbed plates and walked around greeting guests as we tried to get some food down.

We didn't even get to eat a piece of our cakes until later that night.  All I can say, is eat before the wedding and then prepare to be on your feet all night.

Answer 3

Nope.  We just worked the room at our reception, and yes, it took the entire time.  We didn't eat any of our food other than cutting the cake.  But it was great to visit with all of our guests.  You don't have to spend 5 minutes per family, just go by each table tell the people you're glad they came and move on.

Answer 4

some consider this extremely tacky, but i recommend doing a "dollar dance".  each person gets a 20 - 30 second dance with the bride or groom, and you get the opportunity to thank them personally.  however, since you have an extremely large amount of guests, this might not work for you.  it's just a suggestion.  good luck, and congratulations!

Answer 5

You can't. Do your best to mingle and have a good time, but with that many people there's no way you can personally talk to each one without spending 3-4 hours walking around. They are there to celebrate your marriage, not have a heart to heart with you. Don't worry about it! Most people try to say goodbye to the bride and groom as they leave, so you can thank them for coming then.  

Answer 6

You can't make time for that many guests.  If you can't have a smaller and more intimate wedding, why don't you do tables of 10 and at least go around to each of the tables for five minutes?

Answer 7

Just work the room, but do not skip your own dinner! A lot of people are going to form groups so you might be able to talk to 5 or 10 people at one time.

I remember going to a wedding that size. We didn’t get much face time with the bride, but it wasn’t a big deal. Peopole understand when you have a huge crowd to deal with.

In fact, until you asked, it didn’t even occur to me that at my cousin’s wedding, which had less than 200 guests, he & his wife didn’t even bother talking to everyone. They barely left the dance floor. It’s not something I would have otherwise thought about.

If you’re skipping the receiving line, you might want to let your parents know so they can spread the word so people know not to expect it. Otherwise, you’ll have guests just sitting in the church waiting for ushers to come release them.  

Answer 8

Sorry, dear. It's not possible. Especially with that many guests. My husband and I had 140 people at our reception and if we hadn't dismissed them personally from our ceremony, we would have never gotten to spend quality time with each and every guest.

What worked for us, was at the reception, once the formality of the first half got done, we separated and covered different parts of the room: My husband strolled to some of the tables that were composed of people from his side and chitchatted, and most of my folks were on the dancefloor so I got out there and danced with all of them.

If you and him just dismiss the guests yourself, and have the bridal party mingle outside with guests who emerge to wait for your grand exit, that actually goes faster than you think. Because people are just talking to you, and they are very aware that there are lots of other people waiting to talk to you too-so those greetings are fairly short. We cleared our whole church of guests in about 25 minutes, and that was with a fairly easygoing pace. Just...think it over-people expect to hang around a little during the ceremony. Then, by the time you are at your reception, you've at least said "hi" to 90% of your guests...so anyone you talk to again is just extra socializing! :)

Just have a good time. They are all there to see you. :)