I will be having a non-traditional wedding at a museum and we will be having a ceremony on the dance floor before dinner. All of our guests will be seated at their respective dinner tables during the ceremony. After the ceremony, we will eat dinner. Any ideas for something to do as a transition between the end of the ceremony and the beginning of dinner? I dont want it to be a weird transition after the judge presents us as a couple until the point where dinner is served. Thanks.
2006-09-01 09:32:15 · 19 answers · asked by Jimmy Crack Corn 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
The first dance would be a great idea. We're just worried about the bustle of her dress only allowing her to rock back and forth during the dance.
2006-09-01 09:35:43 · update #1
You could do a cocktail hour (or half hour) with appitizers (buffet style or passed) before hand. Set it up in a different part of the room, and invite guests to go treat themselves. This will get people out of their seats and mingling a bit. It will also give you a chance to take some pictures and whatnot before settling down to eat. This way, the guests won't be sitting at their tables bored, waiting for dinner to be served and will give everyone a chance to interact a bit.
2006-09-01 09:38:30 · answer #1 · answered by Colly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the caterer knows to begin serving dinner asap after the ceremony is complete... Have background music begin immediately as well.. Mill through the tables greeting and chatting a few minutes with your guests.. Have an open bar so guests can refresh or get a drink during that time.. Ideally the wait between the end of the ceremony and the serving of the meal will be under 15 minutes....
Place stationary and pens at each table and ask your guests to write a small message to you and your spouse be placed in your wedding album... The stationary can be rolled (scroll style) and tied with a ribbon and message pen "John and Jane Sept 1,2006" or a favorite quote... Guests can take the pens home as a favor should they wish to..... Several scrolls can be placed around the centerpiece at each table.. A beautifully decorated box or an antique looking chest (museum style) can be placed in a convient location for guests to drop thier scroll into as they leave for the evening..
2006-09-01 16:45:58 · answer #2 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations!!
I just performed a wedding yesterday with a similar set-up, guests seated at tables during the ceremony. We had a song play as the "recessional" and the wedding party walked out the back exit of the hall, then we came back in to the front and formed a "receiving line" with the Bride, Groom and their families. The guests all got up, offered congratulations and hugs, got introduced and then mingled before the meal.
If there's only one entrance/exit, you could have someone (DJ or Officiant) ask your parents to join you up front and then announce that the receiving line had formed and everyone was free to come up now.
Best Wishes to both of you!!
2006-09-03 13:09:02 · answer #3 · answered by Kya Rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about after you are announced husband and wife, the two of you leave the main room? Salads could be served during that time, pictures could be taken(if you're doing them after the ceremony) and her dress can be bustled. Then you'd be announced into the room and have the first dance, and you can open up the dance floor before dinner. For us, apps were served, then the wedding part was annoucned, we had our first dance, and dinner started.
2006-09-02 17:44:46 · answer #4 · answered by Moxie1313 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is your wedding! Congratulations by the way! After the ceremony just announce, “now if everyone will take their seats, we will eat”
You will be amazed at how everyone will follow instructions!
Just on a side point, isn't it traditional for everyone to line up and congratulate the bride and groom? I think people might feel cheated if that doesn't happen. So maybe after dinner you can stand by the exit and meet and greet all the people. That is just a suggestion, and may not be correct for you!
2006-09-01 16:37:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saw something similar once.
After the ceremony, the father of the bride did a toast, welcomed the groom and his family into their new family, and introduced "for the very first time in public Mr., and Mrs. Soandso, and they did their first dance.
Soft pop music ensues, and they sort of did a casual receiving line deal and greeted all of the guest at each table before dinner.
Good luck
2006-09-01 16:38:38 · answer #6 · answered by niffer's mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you could give everyone some party poppers. As soon as you are pronounced married, have your family members crack the popper for confetti and streamers which will signal everyone else to do the same. That should put a festive mood to the air and get people mingling. The mess won't be horrible and will be a great finale to the ceremony. Good luck!
2006-09-02 08:28:53 · answer #7 · answered by Kristi C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not play the traditional wedding exit march as you and your mate walk to your table? If traditional isn't your cuppa tea, then maybe the Monkee's "I'm a Believer," or for your museum people something like 2001: A Space Odyssey, or the theme music from Cosmos...
2006-09-01 16:36:35 · answer #8 · answered by writ_rrr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With music in the background this would give you & your bride the opportunity to go to some of your guests & talk with them; also allowing your guests to get up & move around before dinner is served.
2006-09-01 18:42:40 · answer #9 · answered by weddrev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could look into hiring a live musician(s) who will do a particular style of music to your liking. This could be perfect 'cocktail hour' music and provide a natural focal point for guests after the ceremony. sounds like a neat wedding!
2006-09-01 16:36:06 · answer #10 · answered by shiner00 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋