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Shay
Dedicated September 2012

Strolling reception

Shay, on July 24, 2012 at 10:25 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 2 59

My FH and I elected to have a strolling reception for 170 people. It's strolling in that we have 3 tapas food stations, high top tables, and open seating for 80 people (aside from parents, grandparents, and elderly family). We're focusing on delicious and creative food, drinks, and music/dancing rather than a traditional seated formal reception..

I'm wondering if anyone's been to a strolling reception where they can share what worked and what didn't, or if there are any ideas people would like to give. I'm 5 weeks from the big day and am trying to make sure all bases are covered and our friends and family enjoy themselves.

59 Comments

Latest activity by Iliana, on August 19, 2023 at 12:32 PM
  • Meghan
    Master August 2011
    Meghan ·
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    Honestly, it's really hard to eat standing up. As someone with disabilities, standing for long periods of time is just not feasible. You've got half the seating you need. Personally, I think this is a huge disaster and the majority of your guests will leave early because of it.

    You don't need a traditional reception, but you do need seating. That's pretty important!

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  • Shay
    Dedicated September 2012
    Shay ·
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    Eating standing up can be trying, but the reception intends to have the appearance of a cocktail party. Tapas are small plates of food so our thinking is that people won't be lugging around large plates, but more manageable ones. Too, my FH and I have been to an hors d'ourves wedding reception, which was beautiful and fun. People danced and drank all night.

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  • Kathy
    Master July 2010
    Kathy ·
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    Honestly, if I came to your "strolling" reception, I would think of it as a cattle call and leave.

    You can call your food what ever you want. If you do not have seating for everyone, ad expect your guests to wander around food in one hand, drink (assuming you are providing beverages) in the other, your guests will talk...and not in a positive light.

    Train wreck.

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  • Shay
    Dedicated September 2012
    Shay ·
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    Besides seating we'll have numerous high tops, just like at a cocktail party. I appreciate the opinions though.

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  • Cyndi K
    Master August 2012
    Cyndi K ·
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    I don't care for the idea. I'd be kinda pissed if I went to a reception and there was limited seating.

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  • Carrie
    Master December 2011
    Carrie ·
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    I've been to a few weddings like this and guests complained A LOT. What ends up happening is certain people save seats instead of doing the mingling you think will happen.

    I would still provide a seat for everyone, it doesn't mean they will sit in the whole time but it does give them a place to put their stuff and sit if they need to. You don't even have to have traditional seating , you could do more casual longe type groupings.

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  • Shay
    Dedicated September 2012
    Shay ·
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    Luckily, our friends and family know our theme and enjoy mingling, talking, and dancing while eating : )

    Ladies, has anyone been to a strolling reception before who can share pros and cons?

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  • Dawn
    Super August 2011
    Dawn ·
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    I understand your concept and think it sounds different and fun....but if people get tired from dancing and just want to sit for a little bit, they might not be able to. Can you set up a lounge area with some grouped seating like couches or ottomans? If your reception is 4 or 5 hours...well, that's a long time to be standing & dancing in heels...

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  • krisalicious
    Master April 2012
    krisalicious ·
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    It needs to be at 2pm or 8pm, not a meal time, and there needs to be a seat for every butt. It can be a combo of lounge seating, traditional tables/chairs, and hightops with stools, but otherwise it's going to be a clusterfxck.

    One of my friends did what you're describing at dinner time and it was a disaster. No "strolling". Just a bunch of people who made mad dashes for the few available seats, another bunch of people crowding the high top spaces and circling the tables like sharks while they balanced canape plates and wine glasses and clutch purses in their hands, and another bunch of people who actually ducked out for fast food b/c they were starving and annoyed.

    It sounds like you have this vision in your head but remember if your guests are uncomfortable your reception won't look like a cocktail party. It will look like a room full of people who are uncomfortable.

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  • Shay
    Dedicated September 2012
    Shay ·
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    Angelina,

    Thank you so much for sharing what you've experienced. Do you have any suggestions--all high tops or more seating, lounge areas?? Too, our reception is later in the evening, at 7pm, if that helps.

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  • Shay
    Dedicated September 2012
    Shay ·
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    Kris...I'm cracking up at your sharks circling comment and know just what you mean : ) You gave me great things to consider. I think having a lounge area will be a good idea. Too, the reception is at a contemporary art gallery so we're hoping our friends and family will enjoy

    Walking around and looking at the great art on the walls and in the halls.

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  • krisalicious
    Master April 2012
    krisalicious ·
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    Again, what you're describing is idyllic, but when the food comes out, people usually make a mad dash for it all at once no matter what it is b/c let's face it we're all vultures at a cocktail party. So the seat for every caboose is crucial. I would love to stroll around an art gallery drink in hand, but I want the option to sit if I don't feel like strolling with drink/plate/clutch bag wearing platform heels. Smiley smile

    Also the reason I said push it back an hour is b/c I'm assuming your ceremony precedes the reception by at least 30 minutes, yes? That means a large portion of your guests will be getting ready around 5pm when they would normally be eating dinner to get out the door by 6 to get to the ceremony by 6:30, and they'll be hungry for a meal when they get to your reception at 7. If you push it back to 8, everybody gets more time and will show up more relaxed.

    Just wanted to explain. IMO a cocktail party reception can be fabulous it just has to be done thoughtfully. HTH~

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  • Andrea
    VIP March 2013
    Andrea ·
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    After a couple drinks, I would be happy anywhere.

    It's your wedding and your style, whatever makes you and your FH happy!

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  • Shay
    Dedicated September 2012
    Shay ·
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    Andrea, a woman after my own heart. You're invited ; )

    Kris, you talked me into lounge areas. Thank you soooo very much for the thoughtfulness of your responses.

    I truly appreciate all the help and opinions from all!

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  • Nancy Taussig
    Nancy Taussig ·
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    I was at a networking meeting last evening. After 1.5 hours of standing in a too small room w/a bunch of women, each juggling purse/plate/glass, and not enough air conditioning -- I was so happy to get out of there!

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  • Mrs. Duncan
    VIP July 2013
    Mrs. Duncan ·
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    I honestly think that if it's what you and your FH want then it's perfect! Smiley smile Good Luck with your big day!

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  • Mrs. Sâ„¢
    Master October 2011
    Mrs. S™ ·
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    That would work to some extent if your reception is about 1 hour. Other than that, no. I appreciate the cocktail atmosphere, but hate the idea of carrying my purse, drink, food, and napkin and eating standing up. Even the greatest of minglers and dancers want to sit down once in a while.

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  • Serenity
    Super December 2012
    Serenity ·
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    Do you expect people to stay the whole time? If so, then yes seating is necessary.

    But, I am having a similar affair to yours. Think amusement park. Good luck finding a seat. But, the idea is to enjoy the ceremony (where there will hopefully be some seating), munch a little on some food, then leave and enjoy the rest of the day at faire. They can come and go as they please. No set ending time, except when faire closes.

    It sounds like your will be similar - enjoy the ceremony, have a little nosh, then enjoy the art gallery (in my case, faire). Just make sure your guests are clear about that. That's been my question. How do I convey this to everyone? What is your plan?

    Please let me know how yours goes!!

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  • Jasmine
    VIP September 2012
    Jasmine ·
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    @Demetris R. I actually have been to a strolling reception. I have cons and pros for you. The pros you got to mingle with different peopole do to the fact that everyone don't eat everything and while standing in line you get to talk about the wedding and see who knows who like "are you friends of the bride or groom" etc. Different stations means some people will get the drinks first and some will get to the food first. But it was fun and half the people were standing and the other half were dancing so it was just enough seating but they did have about two lounge areas which were setup very nicely almost like a VIP section.

    Cons it was too much traffic at the stations and it seem like you would never get to the food because the circle didn't have a beginning or end. Well, that's really the only con I had about it. I had a seat for a little while and mingled the whole time before I knew it I had 4 glasses of wine and was ready to let loose but I went home instead. LOL

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  • Michele
    VIP July 2010
    Michele ·
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    It does like a fun idea. However, I would agree that enough seating for all guests would make it more enjoyable. I envision standing/dancing for more than an hour in heels, and I can already feel the discomfort! Let alone juggling purse, plate (even small, cocktail-sized), napkin, and drink - even at a counter height table. A nice lounge type seating would be nice to give the feet a break and enhance conversation!

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