Every has a few stubborn guests. They’re the who refuse to RSVP despite receiving save the dates and a . They’re also the who tend to talk through toasts or arrive late to the .
Sometimes are tricky to manage, but there are to help them act appropriately. So if you have a few stubborn guests attending your , read on for .
Retaining a ‘s attention starts with the invitation. Your invite should clearly state all the necessary information, like time, , location, and when to RSVP. It should also clearly give the link to your .
Make sure the font’s not too small or hard to read. Curly, scripted fonts are pretty, but they’re sometimes illegible. Though it’s traditional, including your ‘ names can sometimes be confusing to invitees. Be sure to make it clear who’s getting married, so guests don’t simply set the invitation aside.
Regardless of how clear your invite is, it can be challenging to get certain guests to RSVP on time, and you may have to track a few down. Make it easier on yourself by allowing them to RSVP with an online option rather than mailing back a card. You can also gently let them know that a late RSVP means they may not get a meal choice.
If you’re having a religious or traditional , there may be nothing you can do about its length. However, ceremonies are the first place that you can easily lose a ‘s attention. If you’re going the non-traditional or secular route, consider making your short.
Don’t shorten the vows or any of the important stuff, of course. But, ask yourself honestly, do you need your cousin to read that John Donne poem? Does your teenage nephew really need to share his rendition of Bach’s Cello Suite No.1? Sure, he’s super talented, but is that really what guests are there to see?
Of course not! Guests are there to see you get married! Try and remember that and stick to the point. Limit the special readings or recital pieces to no more than a few minutes tops.
If family or friends are offended by this, kindly explain that you’re trying to keep your in a twenty-minute time frame. If they push back against that, offer to include your cousin, nephew, niece, or friend in some other way. There’s no limit to how many ushers you need!
Though first looks are popular, lots of couples still choose to forgo it. They want that magic moment when the walks down the aisle to be the first time she’s seen by outside eyes. There’s nothing wrong with that, except it means that pictures come after the .
Most of the time, a will offer a so parties can take pictures in peace while guests are entertained. Unfortunately, photographers aren’t always the best at keeping track of time. They want to get the best shots and depending on the size of your , that can take more than 60 minutes.
In other words, your cocktail “hour” becomes an hour and a half or more. When that happens, guests have no choice but to frequent the bar. You might be thinking that’s a good thing. After all, at least they’re entertained! But be warned, intoxicated guests will be more impatient during the rest of the and can even become disruptive.
Aim to keep the short, a true hour or less. To ensure this happens, pick a photographer who already knows the and won’t waste time seeking a perfect picture spot. Alternatively, you can schedule a time for your photographer to tour the in advance.
If you have a large , make a list of the pictures you want before the . Give it to the photographer or their assistant beforehand and ask if an hour is a reasonable amount of time. If it’s not, consider other options, like taking certain pictures beforehand or hiring two photographers.
Everyone’s been to a where at least one dragged on and on. Maybe the best man was nervous and started to ramble, or perhaps a bridesmaid started to cry. These moments can be touching, but they can also cause your guests’ attention to drift.
Let anyone toasting know that they have 3-4 minutes to make their speech. You should also give your DJ or MC a list of who’s toasting in advance. That way, when your crazy Uncle Rich decides he suddenly wants to make a speech, he won’t be able to grab a mic without your permission.
While we’re talking about MCs, it’s important to note that a good one matters. Having an MC at your may seem extravagant, but it can do a lot to keep guests entertained, especially if you run into any unforeseen delays.
Most couples use their DJ, and many DJs are great MCs, but that’s not universal. It’s important to ask your DJ before the about his MC capabilities. If they aren’t comfortable with being a master of ceremonies, maybe there’s someone else they can recommend. A friend or family member can also step in.
If you’re going to allow a friend or relative to run the show, though, be sure to go over your expectations thoroughly. The last thing you want is to sit there cringing as they tell an embarrassing .
Whether or not you’re hosting the bar, it’s a good to close it at key points. For example, many couples choose to close it during , special dances, and toasts. The reason for this is simple: it keeps people at their tables paying attention rather than standing in line.
If you’re worried about people having drinks, consider serving wine with and offering a champagne . If closing the bar is too harsh, consider narrowing the selection of drinks or paying for an extra bartender. That will keep the bar line moving which means people spend more time paying attention.
Special dances, like the traditional father-daughter and mother-son dance, are important to many couples. They give you a special moment to share with your family on a very . They’re also great photo opportunities.
However, typical lengths are three to five minutes. That may not seem like a long time, but trust us, it is! Not only is it long for the dancing, but it’s also a long time for your guests. Unless you’ve prepared with ballroom dance lessons or a choreographed number, they’re stuck watching you sway back and forth. It’s sweet for a second, but the sweetness quickly wears off.
It’s a good to ask your DJ or band to shorten the songs. Keep them to ninety seconds or less. You could also build in some form of choreographed that gets them involved. You could start a conga line or have the DJ open the to other couples in the middle of the .
When it comes to cutting, there are a few things to consider. If you want guests to watch you cut the , it’s essential to do it early on. Many couples choose to do it as soon as is done while guests are still in their seats. Doing it after the is open means fewer people will be watching.
However, cutting the also sends a signal that the night’s events are through. So, you may see guests start to leave as soon as you cut a slice. That’s why some couples choose to wait until later in the night.
If you wait to cut the and want your guests to watch, ask the DJ to announce it and consider closing the bar.
Stubborn can turn into significant disruptions if not handled correctly. Late RSVPs are stressful, and no one wants a walking into the as you’re saying your “I do’s.” Worse still is a that interrupts your toasts!
Luckily, there are to manage even the most stubborn of guests. A straightforward can get rid of their excuses, and little tricks like closing the bar at critical points can keep their focus.
In the end, some guests will be more polite than others, and some may even bring you a well-written wedding card; but with the suggestions above in hand, you’ll negate the worst of stubborn behavior, so you can have the you planned!
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