Greeting Guest at a big reception

We had about the same amount of tables. We did have to go to a few tables, but honestly greeted most of them during cocktail hour. I don't think there was anyone we didn't get to talk to for at least a few minutes, and we had nearly 200 people there. This was one of the many reasons we chose to do a LOT of our photos before the ceremony (first look included).

We won't have nearly that amount of people, but being able to mingle and say hi to everyone and enjoy our cocktail hour is also our rationale for doing photos before the ceremony. It's going to make the day a little longer, but I'm looking forward to having plenty of time for pictures and being present for cocktail hour - I'd definitely recommend considering it!

We had 20 tables. We greeted all our guests at cocktail hour so we got to stay seated during dinner! One of the best decisions we made.

I would at least make a point to greet your older/elderly guests at their table. Have your photographer take some candid and group pictures. You'll regret later not having taken the time to say 'hello' and 'thanks for coming' to Granny. Many of your younger guests that will be mingling at the bar or dancing you will have plenty of time to get photos and chat with.

Following this! We’ll have about 21-23 tables (inviting 210 ppl but expecting ~180) and this was a huge concern of mine as our guest list grew. We’re having a pizza party for OOT guests the night before so I’m hoping that by getting to mingle with them then we won’t feel like we missed anyone.

View Quoted Comment We aren’t doing a first look, but we plan on having most of the bridal party photos done before the ceremony. Then we will do a few with the bridal party. Then venue takes us down to the green for so our pictures to get some alone time before the reception. The cocktail hour is an hour and a half. We are hoping that we can get all photos done in an hour. So we can do some greeting.

View Quoted Comment First look is out is the question. My FH thinks it’s the most ridiculous thing. He’s VERY traditional. Im hoping that getting the bridal party phots out of the way before the ceremony can save some time for photos after the ceremony.

Would you be willing to add a receiving line immediately following the ceremony? I personally am a huge fan although they aren't done a lot anymore. if it's just the two of you after the ceremony, you can thank everyone quickly (probably about 30 minutes) and then do your pictures while they head to happy hour. Otherwise, table visits are your best bet. I would just eat quickly and then get up and make the rounds.

View Quoted Comment

Fair enough - my FH didn't really care and was excited about getting to attend cocktail hour. I'd definitely still try to get photos of you and your girls and him and his guys, along with any family photos you can knock out - that'll still help a lot.

Following this as well. We will have 250 guests..

View Quoted Comment

I think you'll be fine! With the timeline you have in place, if you stick to it at least for the most part you should be able to get some face time with everyone and still have time to party. You may have to swing by a few tables, but if you keep notice of your time, you should be more than ok! I know first looks aren't for everyone (totally understandable!) but doing at least some of the photos ahead of time is a huge time saver!

Have you thought about a receiving line? That way you can make sure you see everyone as they walk past you before entering the cocktail hour and also you then can stay seated at dinner and enjoy!

We plan on having a receiving line after the ceremony. That way we can great all the guests who were at the ceremony before leaving to go to the reception and take pictures. Then, if there are any extra people who didn't go to the ceremony, but came to the reception, it is less overwhelming to great those new people.

We have 16 tables (around 120 guests). We plan on having our dinner at our sweetheart table ready when we sit down, then we can eat while guests go to the buffet & during speeches then spend the rest of dinner going table to table. It won't take super long and then we have time to dance.

View Quoted Comment

I agree with this.

OP: At least the elderly get group photos with them. I have been to weddings where they do table to table but most weddings they just mingled around after dinner to different groups of guests, chatted, said thank you, took pics then went to a different group. I like this idea but idk how FH feels and what he'd like to do!

We are planning for up to 30 tables.
We are not doing a first look or a cocktail hour.
At the ceremony we plan to greet everyone row by row at the end as they leave instead of a receiving line.

It is acceptable where I am to only attend the ceremony or reception, so theres a chance we will miss someone. Especially since we will be having a grand [delayed] entrance to our reception and immediately cut cake, toasts, dinner, first dances. If they choose to only attend the reception and leave earlier than 2 hours in, they probably won't get greeted.

I'd love to make sure that we see everyone, but it's unrealistic.