Processionals: Fun or Traditional?

This video from YouTube of J&K's wedding processional has been all over the internet this week. If you haven't seen it, the entire wedding party dances down the aisle, each with their own unique style.

While I loved the surprise factor and the pure joy the entire wedding party showed, the traditional side of me had some issues with it. There is just something about the bride walking down the aisle with her father/brother/mother (whoever is giving her away) that melts my heart each and every time I see it.

I'd love to know what you prefer -- the traditional "wedding march" or something fun and funky like the JK Wedding video -- and why you prefer it that way.

Thanks for helping this old traditionalist look at weddings in a new light!

Whose wedding is it, anyway?

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of working with a lovely couple on their wedding. Carisse and Joe have a lot of children in their families and, in fact, had FIVE flower girls and FOUR ring bearers in their ceremony!

Carisse put together gift baskets for the kids to have some entertainment during all of the adult stuff at the beginning of the reception -- toasts, cake cutting, etc. Unbeknownst to me and the catering manager at the venue, the general manager decided the gift baskets made the tables look "messy" and instructed staff to remove them and distribute them after the dinner service.

WHAT???

This bride was thinking of her little guests, knowing that they would be bored with the speeches (which they were). Why did this manager think looks were more important than the clients' wishes? The catering manager and I were both stunned.

So, how do we prevent this from happening in the future? Well, you can be assured I will be having a chat with this general manager before booking any more events at the facility. The BEO was clear, the gifts were to be on the table prior to the guests' entrance. Brides, when you are negotiating your contract with a venue, make sure that everyone involved knows your wishes and, during your final walk through, make sure that you reiterate any special requests that are important to you. Here is where a wedding planner can be invaluable to make sure your wishes are carried out according to your contract.

Remember, it is YOUR wedding and you can have it your way!

Well Received

Way back when, it was thought that the bride and groom were blessed, so that anyone who touched them would have good luck and the receiving line was born. Over the years, the receiving line grew to include the parents of the bride and groom and the entire wedding party and the receiving line became something for guests to endure.

While I am a fan of tradition, it can be a long and sometimes awkward process for guests to walk through a line of people, shaking hands and trying to make small talk. The goal of the receiving line is to make sure all of the guests have face time with the bride and groom (which can sometimes be difficult with a large wedding). Here are some alternatives to the old-fashioned receiving line that might make sense for you:

• After the bride and groom exit the church, they return to the front of the church and dismiss each row of guests. This works well with small to medium sized weddings, but if you have over 200 guests, this process can be quite long.
• A receiving line made of only the bride, groom and their parents either immediately following the ceremony or at the reception
• The bride and groom visit each table at the reception. This option allows for a photo opportunity for all of the guests with the bride and groom.
• During the cocktail hour, the bride and groom can stand near the bar (with or without their parents) and have a casual "meet and greet" with their guests. If the wedding is large, this option doesn't guarantee that the bride and groom meets everyone, but works very well for smaller weddings.

Regardless of your style and the size of your wedding, it is important to make sure each guest feels welcome and has the opportunity to congratulate you.

Have more questions about receiving lines? Or do you have a unique way to greet your guests? We'd love to know!

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kathy Strukel and I've been planning weddings for a long time!

One thing I've learned over the years is that hundreds of little questions come up while you are planning your wedding and there isn't always a place to find the answers. The Perfect Wedding Solutions blog is here to answer your questions, give advice and help guide you through the process of planning your day.


We'll cover all aspects of wedding planning, from etiquette to decor and much more. If you have a question you'd like answered, send me a private email at kathy@theperfectsolutions.com and I'll post the answer here!

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Kathy