Mr. D and I went to a gorgeous and FUN wedding in Atlanta this past weekend. Not only was it so great to see old friends, but it also gave us more ideas and tips for our own wedding! I thought I would share a couple key things we learned and will keep in mind when our wedding rolls around!
Having well-informed greeters. Guests can sometimes be more clueless than you might imagine (ourselves included!). Having greeters to let guests know where to sign the guestbook, when to get seated, help direct traffic and keep people moving from the foyer to the ceremony space will be key to starting on time. While our friends had greeters who managed traffic flow and gifts well, many people were unaware of things like the wish basket where guests could leave special notes for the bride and groom.
Eating dinner during cocktail hour. In between greeting guests and taking professional pictures, the couple wisely managed to sneak away for a few moments to eat their dinner. They were one of the only couples I’ve known that had a chance to eat their actual dinner on their wedding day! This not only kept them energized but also gave them more time during dinner to make their rounds and greet each table. Almost as soon as people finished eating, the toasts and activities began, making all the guests feel engaged and entertained.
Paying attention to seating layout. Don’t underestimate the importance of a great layout, in terms of making sure all the tables at the reception have a good view of the couple. Due to the setup at their venue, a few tables weren’t able to see the bride and groom come in, nor could they see the first dance. Though guests knew that it was just due to the layout of the space, it was hard for some people not to feel left out.
Value-add of a professional DJ. The couple had an awesome DJ, which really kept the party going! Mr. D and I always thought that we either wanted to use an ipod or have a friend be our DJ. After attending their wedding, we now truly understand the value-add of a professional DJ, as both an MC and someone to play music. What was especially nice was that he could play certain songs at appropriate moments, and improvise with the direction the party was going. Everyone across the different generations had a great time!
And a nice to have: an afterparty! The wedding day always flies by before you know it, and when the bride and groom have to leave, it sometimes feels anticlimactic, especially if the party had just started getting going. Moreover, as guests, you never feel like you have enough time to really celebrate with the bride and groom! However, our friends had an afterparty/housewarming party immediately following the reception, where the party continued. Everyone including the bride and groom had an awesome time. Whether in the form of an afterparty or a brunch the following day, Mr. D and I now plan on finding a way post-wedding to spend extra time with our friends, especially those from out of town.
your list are some of things i’ve learned at other weddings too. my fi and i are will have our ushers be the greeters.
we originally didn’t want a dj either,but we realized we need someone to keep the party moving along. i actually found a husband/wife team who actually will speak English/Chinese and help with coordinating the agenda for the night.
finally, the after party! since our chinese banquet will end by 11pm. i’m going to invite everyone to a nearby club. i’ve already contacted the club to let them know. also, i’ll get to invite others who i didn’t invite to my wedding.
Great advice. Sometimes I think we act in a specific role so long, we can forget the other points of view (bride vs. guest, professional vs. bride, guest vs. professional etc.)
I completely agree with having someone greet and give directions. I acted as an assistant at a recent wedding and it worked out wonderfully. The coordinator was a the beck and call of the bride and groom and their family’s but the assistants were available for the guests (as well as the coordinator).
When it came time for the cocktail hour to end and the ballroom to open up. We went around quietly to the other guests and let them know that they were welcome to go to the ballroom. It was much more personal than a cattle call and it let the groups of conversation end on a natural note.
We also acted as walking maps (where’s the bathroom?), timeline keepers (when are they cutting the cake?), and errand runners (did the wedding presents make it to the honeymoon suite?). All of these things were handled without bothering the bride and the groom.
thanks for the review and pointers!!
instead of an afterparty since it was sunday, we chose to party before the wedding day. friday night we had younger friends and cousins come (20-somethings) for a house party in our new home, then saturday had the rehearsal dinner there and then invited out of town aunts/uncles over!! it was a great way for everyone to get to know each other beforehand so that the day of was really like we were one big family. it was EXHAUSTING, but so worth it!!
Miss Daffy- was this at Flint Hill?? This is where I had my reception! =)
Our parents are both hosting after parties at the hotel for us. Though we won’t be there, I know our guests will love it!
yep, it was at flint hill! beautiful venue!
nejgne, that’s a great idea to have stuff going on before the wedding too…we’re going to have lots of gatherings for different groups of guests as well…such a precious short time to have everyone together, u know?
that’s one of the perks of going to weddings before your own…you have plenty of times to iron out details. two of my friends had an afterparty [just hanging out at a piano bar] and i had a lot of fun, plus it gave us time to hang out with the bride and groom since we didn’t get the chance at the wedding. i liked the idea so much i’m copping it for my own wedding.
I think an afterparty is a fabulous idea. FH and I decided to have an afterparty at a really cool, funky bowling alley in town that stays open late on weekends. They have a banquet room that’s a balcony over the lanes, and they will cater hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and drinks for a really inexpensive price. I think it’d be so cute to have photos of us in our wedding attire donning bowling shoes and playing a game or two with our friends :).
I love the afterparty idea. I’d like to go to a club afterwards, similar to Joanne. That way all of us “young folks” can hang out and have fun, while the older relatives can get some rest. The day after brunch is also a tradition in my family, but that’s mostly just family and out of town guests. Both are a great opportunity to spend more time with the people who love us in a more intimate setting.
Mrs. Daffodil, San Francisco/Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 26, Nonprofit Strategy Consultant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Resident Physician
Engagement Date: December 29, 2006
Wedding Date: May, 2008
Blogging Since: August, 2007
Venue: Church w/ floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Valley; Westin in downtown LA
About Me: I moved around a lot growing up, but consider myself a Southerner at heart. I love scrapbooking, dancing, doggies, and diet coke. I am all about personalizing everything and hence, I'm a DIY bride who is just loving the entire wedding planning process! Mr. Daffodil and I met in our college fellowship group and were "just friends" for three years before we started dating. We've been together for four years now and can't wait to get married in sunny SoCal, Mr. Daffodil's hometown.
Thanks. These are all great. Especially assigning greeters. Now, I think I’ll have a couple of cousins at the entrance informing people of everything like guest book, etc.