Visiting Guest Tables during Reception

So I have a few thoughts. One is that they should not be speeches. Anyone speaking should be saying a quick toast (2 minutes tops). Also, why can't you and your wife thank everyone together in one toast? You both don't need to go up individually. How many people are you having speak? Typically it's the bride's parents, groom's parents, Maid of Honor, and Best Man. If there are other people that want to say a few words, would maybe have them say them during the rehearsal dinner. If that isn't possible, I would kindly tell them no. Even as someone who normally loves the toasts, as a guest, I don't need to sit and listen to 30 people telling the bride and groom how happy they are for them publcily. Also, typically, the bride and groom are served first so they can eat while the other guests are being served. I would maybe do that instead, and then you can go around to each table and take photos/say thank you.

If visiting tables is important to you, I think you can and should find a way to fit them in. And it's about more than thanking them for coming (which already is a nice idea, of course). Guests will be excited for you and want to say their congratulations in person and have a few seconds to make a connection with you, which is the whole point of inviting guests in the first place.

It sounds like the plan to have people come to your table to take a photo on their way to the buffet line won't allow for any conversations, so table visits while guests are eating would be a nice touch.

I have seen it done where the photographer follows the couple from table to table to take group photos that way. The photographer also serves to keep things moving so each table visit doesn't take too long. This might work better than your other group photo idea because this way you two could be eating while everyone goes through the buffet line instead of constantly being interrupted for photos.

I think visiting each table is the right thing to do. I would encourage your wife to shorten your meal time - it’s unfortunate but usually what most people have to do in order to greet everyone. You can always have the caterer set a plate aside for you to have before (after photos/beginning of cocktail hour).

View Quoted Comment

Came here to suggest the same thing!

We went to a wedding where it was a buffet, and the bride and groom did table visits! The photographer followed them around to each table, took a shot of the whole table, and individuals/couples with the B&G, they would then let the B&G know when it was time to move on to the next table. It went very smoothly, and I liked how the couple came to US instead of the other way around. It was refreshing, and felt like they truly cared to visit! We're doing the same thing for ours because we liked the idea so much.

Having time to eat together is also important. but if the time she has allotted for you both to eat is too long, you may have to shorten it. We're putting aside 20 min for us to eat while guests are going to the buffet getting their meals. After we eat, we'll start visiting tables!

Can you greet guests at the end of the ceremony or will not all them be attending? Dismissing the rows is a common way to make sure you get to everyone. It’s much faster than visiting tables and is more feasible than trying to get a group photo while they wait for dinner.

Someone recently mentioned that they stood at the bar and greeted their guests during cocktail hour and their guests loved that.

I went to one wedding where the bride and groom were at the beginning of the buffet line. It was nice to be able to have a quick chat with them and the photographer was there as well to take your photos with them. That might be a good middle ground between you and your fiance.

I went to each table. i feel like i did that sometime towards the end of dinner. it can actually be a pretty quick thing to do

A receivling line will take far less time than table visits or the picture thing. If anything, I think you guys should go release the tables, say hello and thank you, and snap a pic. Then you can eat. I think the picture thing will take far longer than just table visits after you eat though.

I feel like doing table visits to speak with the guests is more important than having each table come up to you just for a photo. If you can't find time to do both I would skip the photos, get your food food first so you have time to eat, and then do table visits as soon as you're finished.

View Quoted Comment This is a great idea!

I saw a TikTok the other day where the couple had the DJ play a song and they had to get to all of the tables for a quick group shot in that song. It seemed kind of fun if not really hectic.

I go back and forth on how we'll be greeting everyone, and I think having our parent tables go ahead and start at the buffet line while we say hi, do a group picture, and then send a table at a time up may be a great way to go.

I wouldn't recommend summoning people up to your table, because it just causes a cluster and you'll constantly get caught in conversations which will put you behind.