Wristbands

View Quoted Comment Yeah I added on and had 5 hours for our DW. Plus everyone was invited to the RD and we had a morning after brunch for everyone. If people are traveling that far, we as hosts have an obligagion to think about our guests and providing them with an exceptional time. Sounds like you're doing just that

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I agree that I asked for advise, and I said multiple times I would consider it since so many seemed to be opposed.

I was offended that people assumed my wedding would be rude to guests and they would definitely just leave because they might have to stand in a short line, then started critiquing my venue, seating, and reception length, none of which I asked about.

Again, I appreciate people's feedback. I obviously asked in a public forum because I wanted to see if people had done this before.

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No one outright called you rude though. @Spaghetti just said it didn't sound like a venue she would have picked, and @MFB just said that if SHE went to a wedding where she had to stand in line to be admitted she would leave.

These are just honest opinions being pointed out to you. No one is saying you are the worst host ever. They're simply creating a dialogue and giving experiences based on their own lives to back up their opinions. No one said the wedding would definitely be rude, we just saw a hole in the plan from our perspectives and pointed it out. And TBH its good to hear those things, as hard as it may be - as it creates a perspective you might not have realized which is the best part about asking for advice on this forum. It sometimes makes you reconsider what you though or to look at a situation through a new light and realize there might be a problem you didn't foresee

View Quoted Comment We aren't doing a RD anymore, it's just a huge fricking bon fire bbq. And of course being a DW, everyone was invited to the RD anyhow. There's just no rehearsal to go with it. Lol

Most people are leaving the next day, because it's on a Sunday. We have a open house style brunch so they can say goodbye and grab food before the airport.

When and where is your wedding?

View Quoted Comment Panama City Beach, Florida. We ended up picking a resturaunt on the beach. Other venues charged by hour or had different packages. But we thought 10pm was late enough on a Sunday lol

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This made me laugh thank you

I think the idea of unique beads is fun and fitting for your theme! I also wouldn't be offended or find it tacky if you asked guests to check in and/or wear something that identified them as guests if you're concerned about crashers.

Your wedding sounds like a lot of fun and unique to you and your FH, don't let random people on the internet get you down!

My venue tried to make me do this, and I told them it was extremely tacky and a dealbreaker for me. Apparently they do it at all of their weddings to try to stop under age drinkers, but I flat out refused because it ruins pictures and it’s not a county fair. I was so relieved when they didn’t try to force this upon my guests, please don’t try to force it upon yours! We had one crasher, actually 2, but it really wasn’t a huge deal. If you do a seating chart, which I did for 420 people, you will figure out pretty quickly who is crashing and who’s not. The people who crashed were rather embarrassed, but the host were able to graciously find a seat for them, and they were kind enough to leave a gift. It was not a big deal, and I highly recommend against doing this.

I wouldn’t worry about your venue if I was you. Where I’m from assigned seating at weddings is very rare, and the ones that have had the seats assigned haven’t been in any way better. In fact, when I was younger, I used to I think it was a bit of a pain to be told where to sit and to have the people you’re going to be hanging with for the night chosen for you, and that the people doing it had control issues 😂.

As for the wrist bands, they really don’t sound necessary. I wouldn’t be offended to wear a wristband as a guest, but I might have less formal ideas about weddings than most, so just think about the people on your guest list and what they would be comfortable with.

I’d also listen to PPs about the time it will take to check people in if you do go with your idea or any sort of list. Come up with something to make sure you’ll be able to get everyone in quickly and efficiently. Giving people their bands/beads at the ceremony sounded like a smart idea, and just have a list and some extra at the reception in case anyone missed the ceremony.

I’m sure whatever you decide, your wedding will be great!