HOW TO ANNOUNCE DISFUNCTIONAL FAMILY AT RECEPTION

You could just not announce the parents? I've never seen parents announced at a wedding.

I'm in a similar situation with respect to the parents, but FH and I are also not "grand entrance/announcement" kind of people, nor is half of the BP, so I think we're going to skip this altogether and just start with an announcement for the first dance.

I've never seen any of the parents announced or introduced at a wedding... skip it entirely.

I guess you could announce it in capital letters with a neon-flashing sign that says "DISFUNCTIONAL!!!"

I'm joking... What about just calling out the names, no titles, etc. Also I agree, I don't think the parents have to be announced. You don't even have to announce the wedding party if you didn't want to. You don't need to do an entrance!

If you have a program you could just have a general Parents section and not list if they are the mother/step/ex etc and just include names.

Agreed - don't announce anybody.

Hi Caitlin, welcome to WW! Make sure to upload a picture for your avatar (instead of the default icons) so that we can get to know you and tell you apart from all the other posters. Also, you'll get more responses with a different picture, because the default icons can be associated with spammers/trolls You can do this on desktop or a mobile browser (just not on the app) under My Settings and Profile and Privacy Settings.

Are you asking about announcing family at the reception? Or about family members processing in to the ceremony? My fiance's father is his best man as well. He will be entering the ceremony with all of the other groomsmen, walking in a single file line down the aisle and lining up at the front of the altar. All of the groomsmen will recess out of the ceremony with a bridesmaid. We are not announcing any family members or bridal party at the reception. If you are announcing bridal party entrances at the reception, you could do something like "the groom's best man and father, (insert name here)!"

Like others have said you don't have to announce anyone. But if you do I think its polite to do the title. DHs dad passed so MIL didn't have anyone to escort her or be introduced with. She has a bf but didn't want him involved, which we didn't care either way. It was her choice. We had DH walk her down the aisle for the ceremony. Then she walked out with her date. As an entrance into the reception she was announced with my parents. My dad and mom didn't mind and people got a kick out of seeing my dad walk in with both ladies. We also had one of my BM walk in with 2 GM because one of my other BM left early before being announced.

I wouldn't want anyone announced by themselves. It might be a little awkward.

For you I would:

Flower girl/ ring bearer. (Your FMIL could be announced with them if needed)

Announce stepdad with his date

Announce your parents with FMIL

Announce dad/ best man with his wife

Then wedding party (have MOH walk in with another GM or BM. I would double up)

Then bride and groom

Just announce the wedding party and skip this craziness.

I would just skip announcing the parents all together. Have your MOH walk in with another groomsmen.

I agree with some of the other ladies, skip announcing the parents. I've never actually seen that at a wedding before. Just the bridal parties, and the bride and groom.

FH's family is even more complicated than that. This is what we did.

No parents in the processional. We didn't say anything to anyone, and if they ask we'll just say we wanted to keep the processional short and sweet

We are not announcing parents. So his father would just be Best Man.

We're doing a sweetheart table, so no drama about who sits at the head table.

Our DJ is only announcing the wedding party and us. Not our parents. They're adults, they can seat themselves. Announce the BM and MOH together, then go down the bridal party line. Anyone who's single or significant other can simply wait.

Dear Caitlin,

As a DJ and MC, I have seen very different scenarios. Contrary to what some are commenting, it is NOT unusual to announce parents or step parents at your reception.

This segment of the event is meant to announce those people you think are important to you and who are in agreement about your union.

That being said, it is not necessary to announce or introduce everyone. Here is one option I think you should consider:

Have all parents and grandparents just be announced from their seats before you and the BP walk in. Keep the BP as Best man and his wife, then MOH by herself (this is totally common), flower/ring bearers, and the rest of the BP, then yourself and husband. The order can be either way.

If you definitely want to introduce everyone and have them walk in:

Step parents, mother, and every other parental figure can walk in as a group as their names are announced. There is no need to specify that they are "step" parents or not. Depending on the tone of your wedding, you may want to play a fun upbeat song as they walk in. This will also cut down on the time everyone is walking in (trust me, this process can get long and drawn out). It will also lighten the mood and it will not look or feel awkward.

Those are just some suggestions, there is no "right or wrong", but there is "awkwardness" that can be avoided if you and your MC sit down and talk about this issue. If your MC is experienced and professional, this will not be a problem at all.

Hope this helps you out some and wish you the best. Feel free to ask me any other question. I don't usually visit these forums because of time constraints, but I do check my email.

You could not say how they are related. "First the families of the couple... first up Mr and Mrs. __; Mrs. ______".

Or just skip it.

Thank you everyone for you feedback, sorry for the confusion! I will gladly send ibuprofen to those who I gave a headache! I currently have an IV with in in my veins! HAHA!

I definitely want to include family, I think announcing them as a group is a great idea, or even just not announcing family at all, since they will definitely be on the back of my program. I've been so stressed thinking everything has to be just so and psychotically proper, that I almost forgot whose wedding I was planning! I have this problem of wanting to please everyone and not let anyone be offended by anything that we do for this wedding. My realization: not everyone may be happy with the way things are done, but hey, if they aren't paying for it, and I believe in my heart its not to hurt anyone, then it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Thank you all again!

Personally, I would just either only do you guys or have everyone walk in but not be announced and then only announce you two.

Having people "walk in" and not be announced will be confusing to the rest of the guests and it will look sloppy and unprepared.

I didn't have anyone announced but us. The BP and parents slipped in after their pictures were taken to mingle with guests. When we were ready, my FIL announced us.

^^^^ Sloppy and unprepared is my life! lol

I'm not even announcing the BP. We intend to attend (say that three times fast) part of our cocktail hour, so it even seems a little silly for us to be announced. Our officiant is going to introduce us at the end of the ceremony, I think that's enough.