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R
Newbie May 2019 Nova Scotia

How to get rid of guests...nicely

Rachel, on April 14, 2018 at 23:14 Posted in Plan a wedding 0 8
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This might sound harsh, but let me explain.

My fiancé and I are getting married in May ‘19, on Victoria Day. The plan is to have the ceremony in the evening on our property. We are planning for Smiley heart0 guests.

We really want to keep the event short and sweet, including the reception to follow the ceremony.

For the reception we are tossing around two ideas: bonfire or bbq-to give the opportunity for our guests to eat and socialize a bit-so we can thank everyone for coming. But, I don’t want to stick around for a very long time after. I’m not a big fan of entertaining, don’t really planning on having any speeches or anything, so am wondering how I should organize the evening and looking for different approaches at indicating to the guests that it is ‘time to leave’ without telling them to “leave now”. What do you think? Anyone have a successful shot at something similar?

8 Comments

Latest activity by Holly, on April 18, 2018 at 11:33
  • Holly
    VIP June 2019 Ontario
    Holly ·
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    Honestly just leave and guests will get the hint. Get your guests attention and say, "Once again we would like to thank you all for coming, we are off now so we hope everyone enjoyed their evening" then you two leave for a bit, if you plan to come back again just stay at a family members for a bit. Have family help guests leave and clear the place out. Once everyone is gone you're good to go back. Also like mentioned by others, on the invitation just say from this time to this time.
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  • Stephanie
    Master July 2018 Alberta
    Stephanie ·
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    I like the idea of stating an end time on the invitations.

    My friend just had her wedding party start to clean up. They snuck off inside and the wedding party cleaned up. Some people stuck around to help clean up, but most people got the hint and left.

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  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Admin October 2016 North Carolina
    Lynnie ·
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    Hi Rachel! I also think that providing an end time will definitely help!

    It's also all in the way you set expectations! Instead of "reception to follow" on your invitations, I'd write something like "Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to follow" - something that conveys that it will just be a few drinks and quick bites and not a long sit-down dinner.

    Last tip - a lot of guests see the cake-cutting as the "it's an appropriate time to leave the reception" cue, so I'd definitely get that done quickly!

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  • Erin
    Master September 2017 Ontario
    Erin ·
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    I agree that indicating a time for the event on the invite is probably your best option.

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  • Bianca
    Master August 2019 Ontario
    Bianca ·
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    Indicate a time for the event and begin tear-down of the event when it's over. That way people will understand that it's time to leave.

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  • Candace
    VIP May 2019 Ontario
    Candace ·
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    I agree with Emily, either indicate the start and finish time of the reception in your invites or do a grand exit of you and the groom. It normally lets people know the event is done Smiley tongue
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  • Emily
    Devoted November 2018 Ontario
    Emily ·
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    I like Alexandra's idea of indicating it on the invite! You could also do an official send off of you and your groom's at the time you want the event to end, or maybe even 30 minutes before so they have time to clean up, say goodbye and clear out.
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  • Alexandra
    VIP November 2019 British Columbia
    Alexandra ·
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    Hey Rachel!

    Why don’t you try having something on your invitation that says “from _pm to _pm” ahead of time so people have more of a heads up? If people know in advance it’s a shorter event they’ll be more prepared to leave. Also if you’re having music, switch over to slower background music. And start having someone doing little pack up activities when you’re nearing head out time then people should get the idea.

    Hope this helps!
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