Big Wedding, Intimate feel

Thanks, these are all great ideas and things to keep in mind. With 250 people, we'd really like to focus on some of the out-of-towners somehow, but just aren't sure how.

If my venue allowed for bonfires, that would be brilliant! We could go around a deliver smores material etc.

I love the idea of you serving cake to your guests! We did group pictures after our ceremony. You could divide your guests up into groups and take a few group pictures. Nice keepsake too at the end. I plan on including a picture in the thank you cards. There will also be time after you finish eating (if you’re doing a dinner) but while everyone else is still eating, to go around to tables to talk.

Of you want time with your guests/family, consider spending an evening with them and hangout together. Then head back home for the night. Go around during dessert and talk to them all. Personally, your not wanting to serve cake and stand there all evening when they have come to celebrate your day. Let others help or staff is there for serve your guests.

Enjoy the evening and plan out beforehand to see your guests.

Serving the cake yourselves sounds like a nice touch. But reality is that you will not get to spend all the time you want with everyone on the day. I don’t think it’s a good idea to schedule yourself for an additional event that day as there will probably be something that delays you a bit here and there. Also, I suggest instead of hosting a game just go around to each table and spend some time talking with each one. You can always spend more time catching up after dinner with people.

We will be going around to all the tables through dinner to spend 5 min or so talking with each one and getting to see everyone. Also, if we don’t get too far behind in the timeline throughout the day we should still make it there for the end of cocktail hour and will get to socialize a bit with people then. Also, once the dance begins we will be all over the place and that’s ok.

I too will be having a big wedding (200-250 guests), but the most that we will be doing is bonfires out near the water.

We assume that our guests will automatically talk to each other and ask how they know the bride and groom. Willing to listen to some suggestions from others if there are any though?