Weddings and receptions

[Cloudbringer]

Hey all! As many of you know, my honey and I are tying the knot this spring and I'm looking for insights and ideas-- your experiences at receptions or weddings.

What were the best things you remember from your own ceremony or reception and how about others? Was there anything that someone did at their reception that made it especially fun/romantic/memorable to you as a guest?

What sort of things made it memorable in a bad way or at least something you'd not like to do or experience too often! Like did you have to sit at the kiddie table or were there too many slow dances not enough fast or whatever. Anythng that you'd have changed if you could.Did you like the seating arrangements, if not, why not?

How about the favors or decorations? The music/dj/band?

Ok, I could go on forever but that's the general idea!

I know that I had a blast at the wedding of one of my bridesmaids and a large part of that was due to her thoughtfully seating me at a table with a few people who were 'chatty' and fun that I could talk to even though I didn't know anyone but the couple getting married and one other friend who attended. Plus her dj was great! Played a good mix and got people involved.

My brother's wedding, by contrast...awful from start to finish! Things took forever in the ceremony (at one point they spent nearly 20 minutes trying to light ONE candle!) and the food was horrid- the chicken was still partially raw and/or frozen when they served it. YUK! Let me tell you, I hardly remember anything but the bad stuff there and want to be sure my own reception is a nicer experience for my family and friends! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-06-2004, 02:15 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

[Ladyzekke]

I'll have to think on this one. BUT, I do remember at one wedding reception the couple had a "money tree" LOL! Everyone put money on it and they really raked it in! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

Actually I haven't been to that many weddings, so am not a great one to reply to this thread. I can say though what NOT to have at the reception LOL. A slowly revolving snack carousel. I remember going to my cousin's wedding years ago and that thing was so slow, and it was packed, shoulder to shoulder all the way around it, I waited I swear 5 minutes for a square of cheese, and the crackers were on the opposite end! [img]graemlins/crying.gif[/img] LOL, was really not the best idea for a large crowd, maybe a small crowd it would be quaint and everyone could walk around it rather than stand and wait for what you want to come your way [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

I'm sure you will have a great wedding and reception sis no matter what you choose! I'm so happy for you and Jim [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Night Stalker]

One thing that makes any wedding reception automatically tres chic ..............

.

.

peacocks!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

My cousin had her reception a this quaint lil B&B - there was a peacock roaming around the campus!!! I got quite a bit of (drunken) footage of that bird. LOL!

[Ladyzekke]

My parents used to have Peacocks. You know they only lay one or two eggs once a year? My parents and I went on vacation one summer right after these two peacocks had had their first eggs, and we left the care of all the pets, including the peacocks, to my friend, let's just call her Sue. Well Sue lived on a farm, they had pigs and cows and chickens, used to gathering eggs, and my friend Sue knew that my parents had chickens as well, and all sorts of species, we had brown and white eggs, and also some that laid light blue and green eggs. Well... Apparently my friend must not have recognized a peacock or something, I really don't to this day know what exactly she WAS thinking LOL. All I know is we got back from vacation, and check to see if the peacock eggs had hatched, but they were gone, not to be found. Bout an hour later Sue calls, and in the midst of the conversation to my mom she says "oh we got lots of eggs (my parents told them they could take any chicken eggs they found while we were gone), some really BIG ones too, they were really delicious!" DOH!

That was about 15 years ago, and still I make sure to bring that back up and rib her any chance I get LOL. She still claims she had no idea LOL!

[Cloudbringer]

ROTFL! Well, we aren't having peacock eggs, sis! LOLOL! No revolving snacks either! They'll be passed around by waiters or on a table.

NS, we still need a photographer! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

[LordKathen]

One defenite piece of advice I can give is, make sure the reception is well cordinated and delegated. Mine was total chaos. There is so much ettiquete as far as pictures, the line up, the cake, etc., you might even consider a wedding planner, if you can afford it . Things get out of hand quickly with a large group of wondering people (especialy with alchohol), that there has to be some organisation. Goodluck. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Cloudbringer]

Originally posted by LordKathen: One defenite piece of advice I can give is, make sure the reception is well cordinated and delegated. Mine was total chaos. There is so much ettiquete as far as pictures, the line up, the cake, etc., you might even consider a wedding planner, if you can afford it . Things get out of hand quickly with a large group of wondering people (especialy with alchohol), that there has to be some organisation. Goodluck. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I can believe that! I have a wedding planning book and one of my bridesmaids is has been in several weddings the past few years, including her own so I've got some direct help there! Plus the site doing the reception is a hotel that does a LOT of them and we have an event coordinator who is helping us make the plans, which is very helpful!

[Donut]

Originally posted by ladyzekke: My parents used to have Peacocks. You know they only lay one or two eggs once a year?

LadyZ - if I were the pedantic type I'd................ Nah! That would be TOO pedantic and I'm in enough trouble as it is.


Edited by Donut to remove the bit about only Peahens can lay eggs.

[ 01-07-2004, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: Donut ]

[pritchke]

Master of Ceremonies!!!

I have always enjoyed weddings were the master of ceremonies was quite funny, and had more than one embarrassing story about the bride or groom.

[ 01-07-2004, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

[VulcanRider]

Just after Christmas, I attended a friend's wedding. The couple, dressed in a "Victorian English" style, had a little girl leading the procession on a tricycle. The couple entered (and left) the chapel riding a bicycle built for 2.

For a couple in their 50's they're a very active pair (kayaking, scuba, flying -- 2 yrs ago she broke a leg learning to skydive) and we were wondering what they would come up with. They said later they considered an outdoor ceremony where they would fly in on a hang glider.

Also, one of the nicest parts of the ceremony was when they each read a vow they'd written to the other.