Wristbands

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Both. Again, this is not some celebrity or political event where people will be clamoring to get in. I would literally NEVER wait on an hour-long line to get into someone's wedding, where I'm supposed to be an invited guest. I'd honestly leave, because it's so absurd.

I feel like the issue of wedding crashers can be solved so easily.

Me: "Hon, who is that man over there?"

Him: "I don't know. I'll go find out"

I would not want to wear a wristband when I'm dressed up for a wedding, I also wouldn't want to be in line showing ID and getting my name checked off a list, that's super annoying

View Quoted Comment It's not tacky per se. It's just going to be unmanageable and the guests are going to get really frustrated.

You said you have 200 guests. That means, at least four pages of names which will need to be crossed off as they come in. This is going to probably take 30-45 seconds per guest. This is a lot of standing, flipping through pages, "can you spell that for me?", crossing something off, and attaching a wristband. You are going to need a LOT of security to get through this quickly. The difference with an escort card is that there is one large table and each guest is looking for one, maybe two names. They aren't flipping through pages. They know the spelling of their names. They pick up a card and just walk away. They don't have to have another person slap on a band.

This will only work if you have 10+ security guards. You'll also need extra guards to "bounce" the crashers.

If you’re that concerned with crashers, why not have chosen a more secure venue? I don’t think people will care enough to crash the wedding reception. You’re overthinking this and causing yourself unnecessary stress and potential drama

If the venue has security in place to prevent crashers, WHY THE UNNECESSARY STRESS/DRAMA OF THE WRISTBANDS?!!!.

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But, if guests are mingling (and not staying at the same table the whole time) how will you keep track of who you still need to see?

Also to your other statement:

With escort cards, multiple people can be looking for their card at the same time cutting down on time with a list/wristbands. It does not take an hour for people to find their escort card.

The issue people have isn't with the method used to identify your guests, it is that it is completely unnecessary and is rude to have your guests wait in line for your wedding. There is no way I'd be waiting in line for up to an hour to get into a 3-hour reception...I'd be pissed off and leave.

I am only worried about one 'crasher' who is a friend of my mom's that thinks he's invited to everything. I've let me coordinator know that is he NOT invited and called that good. We are having our wedding at a local winery that I'm sure people frequent. I guess I assume if someone come in off the street they will think whoops..must not be open bar tonight, and leave. I don't think strangers hang out waiting for free food to happen upon them..

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From an efficiency point of view, this is why I was saying to hand out wristbands the night before at the rehearsal dinner, where the entire family and bridal party (and their dates) will be invited, so they're all taken care of. Other then that, you would only need the Household and the # of people, which wouldn't be that long, since obviously a plus one shouldn't be coming without their invited named guest. I also don't know why people think we'd need multiple forms of ID...you'd just have to say your name. We won't be needing fingerprinting or anything

All of this would be as quick or quicker than having a line for potential escort cards, which in my experience has taken forever.

We're also doing a red carpet-styled Photo Booth, which will be located right inside entrance doors, so maybe it will add a little something!

I didn't know that wristbands were going to be such a hot-button topic, because I literally would not care or even welcome them if I was asked. Especially since I'll be handing out lots of other stuff for them to wear. But I'm glad that I checked with y'all! Something to consider, even though I'm more stressed out now haha.

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But why are you more stressed out. If the venue provides security to prevent wedding crashers, why are YOU stressing over it?? If the venue has been doing weddings for a while, and has protocols in place to prevent wedding crashers, and has spoken to you about this, why be stressed about it? Trust in your venue, and their security team to handle this, as that is what THEY do...They know what they're doing, and how to do it. Trust them if they're an experienced NOLA venue..

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So your important people don't have to wait in line but everyone else who paid money, and booked a hotel, and flew to the wedding does??

Honestly - If I took the time out of my day, PTO off work, spent money on a hotel, a gift, and a flight and then saw that the immediate family and BP got to breeze through and I had to miss cocktail hour I will still be pissed. Why even invite that person then if you don't care about them enjoying themselves?

Again - you're overthinking this. The venue provides a guard to deter any possible crashers so that's all you need. You don't need security on top of security. You aren't a politician, celebrity or soon to be member of the royal family. No one is dying to get into this party. Just let it go. it's not needed

Am I the only one who is stunned that a DW reception is only 3 hours?

There is no cocktail hour.. This would be just as they are entering the ceremony, as early as they want.

I'm only stressed out and overthinking this now because of this discussion. An hour ago I was about to order them with no worry

I don't understand why giving family and VIPs wristbands early to increase the flow as they're coming back from pictures would be bad? Should I worry about guests being mad that they aren't invited to the family pics too?

Again I didn't now this would be such a hot-button issue. I am just looking to get feedback

This is more stressful than needed. I don't think this is a good idea.

View Quoted Comment Yeah I'd 100% lose a wristband given to me the night before. Are you going to bounce people who lost their bands? How is security going to know how to spell someone's name without an ID... I know I have to spell my last name at least two or three times. My escort card line took less than 2 minutes for 65 people. How many guards will be checking bands? How do you know a local bar won't have a similar band? You said you wanted something that stands out so you can quickly tell if they are a guest. Do you really think guests want to be tagged like cattle? If a bride gave me a wrist band that thing would be in the trash. If you can't look me in the face and know I belong, that's pretty sad.

Honestly, it sounds like you are pretty set on having these bands despite everyone telling you otherwise. good luck with making this concept work.

View Quoted Comment With no cocktail hour but they are having a parade...Like what??

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Not ideal for sure, but this is what the venue does. There will be a big after party.

My sister had them but her wedding was on a public pier on the beach. We were roped off from the tourists but the bar was on the other side of the pier. We wristbanded everyone so they could drink for free at the bar. Wasn't a big deal but only because it was a super chill wedding.

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Hardly any one can ever spell or pronounce my name.. It'd take at least 2-3 times me spelling it for them to find me..

Why not have registration tables set up, with each table having a section of alphabetized guests.. Help it run smoother...

I will repeat again. Wristbands = unnecessary. Don't stress about it.

However if I were you I would be worried about inviting guests to a DW with no cocktail hour, 3 hour reception (mine is 6) and no assigned seats/tables. It's nice to have a spot to claim as your own for personal items or just simple comfort.