Their
First Words To You
It never ceases to amaze me how
many couples routinely dismiss their privilege of having a
reception line. I want to convince you that having a reception
line is the right choice, and I'll base this on the following
reasons..
You will be spending thousands
on this, and some of you, tens of thousands. How could you
not want to get every penny out of the considerable sum you're
spending? Then there are those wonderful and expensive photographers
and videographers whom you've paid to... take photos of you
and your guests. Reception lines are made to order for your
press crew because great shots and video op's are happening
every six seconds or so. Do you really want to throw that away,
not to mention the huge hole in your photo album?
Truth be told, I tend to think
that couples who fear a reception line do so because they don't
know, or think they don't know, how to make conversation will
all those guests. Trust me on this, they couldn't be more wrong!
This moment is guaranteed to take care of itself. People are
going to come up to you, press their cheek to yours and with
tears in their eyes say "Congratulations,.. I'm so happy
for you!"
Now, is that so hard to take?
Think about your guests. Some
of these people have come across town, others may have come
across the Atlantic. And all of them, right now, want to tell
you how happy they are for you when that ceremony ends. Just
let them.
The time for a reception line
is immediately after your recessional walk down the aisle.
Form up either with or without your bridal party in a photogenic
setting where sunlight or electric light
is illuminating you. Do not turn your back on the light source!
The ushers and myself will begin gently directing your guests
into your line. From the moment of the first handshake, the
entire event will take care of itself. Don't be fooled by impatient
and unprofessional photographers who want to chase your guests
away to hors d'oeuvres so that they can take your wedding
photos immediately after the wedding (which is when you should
be in your reception line).
You certainly can form a reception
line after the photographer is done taking pictures, back at
the venue. But you'll get a third of your guests to participate
if you're
lucky. And their mood will be far more reserved than it was
in the minutes following your ceremony when their blood was
up.
See that photo at left of Zhimin
and Junhui? I took it. I often wonder how anyone would want
to throw away a moment like that? (or a photo of it?)
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