How do you make a 400-person reception feel more personal?

I agree with PP. i had 250 people and while that is not as large as 400, it definitely is overwhelming. i did table visits so that i could at least greet everyone and thank them for coming. i also did this thing called entrance photos. for about an hour or so when people started arriving for the reception, i greeted them after they signed in and i took a photo with them. later on in the night they got to get the photo printed.

When my friend got married the other summer and had a huuuge wedding, he was constantly on the move visiting everyone. Between the sangheet and mehndi party and ceremony and reception aaaand after party we had lots of chances to see each other. If I didn't see him much at one party I was likely to at the next. I think the best ways to make it feel personal is to spend at least the reception moving around to visit everyone you can. Also, to make sure your guests are comfortable and don't get overwhelmed I'd make sure there are quiet places to sit (for introverts like me who may need a break from being around so many people!).