The pictures below are random.  They pretty much go with any topic, I just liked them!  🙂

1. An inconvenient date.

Guests sometime get miffed when you plan your wedding around a time they think may be inconvenient for THEM.  I know the feeling.  We wanted to go to a wedding in California one year.  But it was in the beginning of December, and we always go to California for CHRISTMAS.  There was no way we could do both.  But then I took a step back and thought…was it really about ME and MY family, or the bride, groom and theirs?  The answer was pretty simple.

Wedding Guest at Maggie and Rob’s wedding.  They made the effort to join us!

 

2. Invitation confusion.

This is probably a big one, and an easy one to avoid.  Often times guests are uncertain if they are offered a “plus one” or if their children are invited.  Best thing to do…have an inner and outer envelope for the invitation.  On the inner envelope, write out the first names of everyone in the family/couple invited.  If your name isn’t there…you’re not invited.

KK and Tyler’s “Sweetheart Table”

 

3. Seating snafus.

Who sits where?  This ranges from the ceremony to the tables at the reception.  Let’s face it…you will never please everyone.  Ever.  It’s nice to sit family and very close friends up front at the ceremony, however, and try to arrange dinner seating so that guests will hopefully have someone they’re comfortable talking to.

KK and Tyler’s ceremony.

 

4. Pulling out the wallet.

A cash bar is a mixed bag of worms.  And that’s all I’m going to say about that…If you’d like to see Stefania’s thoughts, click on the link at the bottom of the post.

 

Brother, Matt and Sister, Amanda (Robert’s Sibs)

5. Climate crisis.

Not much you can do about the weather.  It rained on Maggie and Rob’s day, so we rented a tent.  It all worked out.  KK had great weather.  The venue had a permanent covering over the deck, but we didn’t need it. (Maybe something to look for at reception sites?)

Cute cousins of the groom (Robert’s) Photo creds: Patty Cloherty

 

6. Inedible food (or lack thereof).

Above, the family and attendants “snacking” while waiting for their turn with the photographer.  Best thing to do as a wedding couple, TRY the caterers’ food BEFORE you book.

 

7. Never-ending toasts or photo montages.

KK and Tyler wanted this shot, and others like it.  This meant leaving their guests before dinner to get them.  Have a cocktail hour!  Food and drink…guests are happy!

 

8. DJ, please stop the music.

LOVE this picture.  In it, I see Rob’s grandmother, Jackie “cutting a rug” and two of my bridesmaids daughters dancing with her.  What did this picture tell me?  Maggie and Rob did a good job selecting dance music that everyone could enjoy.  KK and Tyler did as well.  As the evening wore on, they selected music a little more to the younger side, which works too.

 

9. Disorganization to the max.

Another option for slow times, (provided there ARE any), is some sort of entertainment.  Below you see my first son-in-law, Robert, the second bride, KK,  and a friend in the “Slow Motion Booth” – a HIT!

 

10. Ungracious hosts.

No matter what…the bride and groom should ALWAYS made the rounds and greet all guests.  No exceptions.

Above, Maggie and Rob with friend/guest Christina.

 Topic Quotes:  Stefania Sainato, (link to her entire article at the bottom to this post), thoughts on those topics, mainly mine…  🙂