On the day of your wedding, something unexpected is sure to happen. No matter how carefully you plan your wedding and no matter the pride you take in managing detail, something will stir the pot.
Guests Arrive With Their Children at an Adults-Only Reception
You made it clear on your invitation that this was an adults-only event. You can’t allow the parents and children to sit with the other guests or every parent in the room will be annoyed that they played by the rules and left their kids with babysitters. Have a table set up for the children away from the adults guests. If the parents object, they can join their kids at this special-area table and the site manager can explain the reasoning behind this seating.
Guests Don’t RSVP But Still Show Up
You did your duty; when you didn’t receive a response, you called them. They were being vague, to say the least. In fact, you felt they were really saying ‘no’, so took them off the list. And yet, here they are! Don’t try to handle it yourself. Turn the problem over to the site manager, and they will find a way to accommodate them. Probably at the back of the room! Food won’t be a problem. Caterers usually prepare about 10 percent more food than required.
Your Parents Seem To Be Taking Over The Invitation Listing
You suspect that they are paying back some social and business obligations, but you wanted a small wedding with just about 50 guests. You win the day if you want a small wedding. However, if you want a bigger wedding, whoever is paying the bills calls the shots on this one.
Your Registry Personnel Encouraged You To Include Your Registry With Your Invitation
This is such a no-no because it means that you are not only expecting a gift, but you want to suggest what your guests buy for you. An invitation to a wedding does not require giving a gift, even though almost everyone who accepts your invitation will send one. People who choose to use your registry will ask you or your parents or your attendants where you are registered.
Long Distance Friends Find They Are Double-Booked
To avoid this, send out an early save-the-date card so they can hold the date and begin to make their travel plans. Ideally, these can be sent six months before the wedding. Then, follow up with the formal invitations about six weeks before the big day. Request an RSVP but also attach a date that you need to receive their acceptance. This RSVP date will be about three weeks before the wedding so you can give an accurate count to the caterer.
Originally published in Today’s Bride magazine, Spring/Summer 2016.
