You’re having a small, intimate wedding— but maybe you’re still concerned about the number of guests. How will you ever have time to talk to them all? What if you skip over someone without intending to? Find out how to ensure you don’t miss anyone important at your intimate wedding.
A Receiving Line
One way to make sure that you speak to everyone is to have a receiving line. After the ceremony, you and your new spouse stand at the exit of the ceremony space and greet each person as they are leaving. If you speak to each person for only 10 seconds, you’ll get through six people in about a minute. If you have 100 guests, that’s over 15 minutes. Keep time constraints in mind if you select this method of greeting your guests.
If you’re having your intimate wedding outdoors, there’s a chance that people might find another way out or slip past you, making it difficult to tell if you really greeted everyone. If you choose to have a receiving line, ask your wedding coordinator to arrange the layout so that people are channeled towards you as they leave the ceremony area.
A Cocktail Hour
Take your photos in advance so you don’t have to snap too many shots right after the ceremony. This way, you can go directly to a cocktail hour with your guests. Enjoy drinks and mingle with everyone at your intimate wedding. Bridal organizers suggest that you and your spouse stay together; that way, you can speak to more people at once.
A Tour of the Tables
At the reception, you’ll want to have some time to eat and drink at your own table; but after you have eaten something yourself, you and your new spouse can wander through the reception space, stopping by tables to visit for a few minutes. This can be a time-saving method, since you don’t have to find and greet each person separately. Don’t forget to take photos with out-of-town guests or VIP guests while you’re doing your table tour!
A Partner Swap on the Dance Floor
Dancing with your new spouse is probably at the top of your to-do list for the evening, but make a little time for other dance partners as well! It’s a great way to have fun and connect with relatives, friends, and out-of-town guests. Don’t forget to dance with the smaller guests at the party, too. Little ones love being swept into the fun to dance with the bride or groom.
At your wedding, every guest is important, from the oldest great-grandparent to the smallest member of the family. Just remember that you don’t have to have a long conversation with everyone! It’s primarily about saying hello and acknowledging the people who set aside time to celebrate your big life event. With a little strategy and a lot of smiles, you can ensure that everyone feels valued and welcome at your intimate wedding.
