If Quality Time Is Your Love Language? Here are a few Wedding Planning Tips!

We had a GREAT question from a recent Wedding Talk friend... they sent in an email asking; "How are we able to prioritize quality time with our guests at our wedding? So far in the planning process, we are noticing there is not a lot of space to spend TIME with those we love, what are your recommendations?" Uhh, first off, Quality Time is my (Team Tay) love language so this question resonated as it was also one of our priorities when planning our wedding!

Here are some of my tips:

1. Opt for a Smaller Guest List: The fewer guests you have, the more time you can spend with each one. Consider having a more intimate wedding, with just your closest friends and family. With that being said, I acknowledge this can be easier said than done, and sometimes when you have larger families, even a guest list with just your closest family and friends can grow large.

2. Spread Out the Celebrations: Instead of hosting a single-day wedding ceremony and reception, consider adding other activities such as a welcome party or BBQ, a rehearsal dinner, a post-wedding brunch, or sightseeing tours, hikes, or walks if you have many out-of-town guests. This will give you more opportunities to mingle with your guests in a relaxed setting.

3. Interactive Activities: Incorporate interactive activities that allow you to spend time with your guests. This could be a photo booth, a dance-off, a group game, or a DIY cocktail station or make-your-own pizza station where you can mingle and have fun.

4. Consider the Venue and seating Layout: Choose a venue where you can set up tables and seating in a way that allows you to easily move around and visit with guests. A kings table for the head table may allow the wedding party (if you are having one) more time to mingle and chat with multiple people. If you have the space and budget, opting for some lounge stations also allows more space for guests to mix, mingle and chat!

5. Coordinate with the Photographer: Discuss with your photographer about the times when you'll be available for group photos and when are moments you would consider candids or other types of photos where you would like to be genuinely connecting with your guests. This helps to ensure the time you are prioritizing posing for pictures, is balanced with your time interacting with guests. Be sure you have realistic expectations regarding photo expectations if you are cutting out or reducing posed photo time. If both posed photos AND quaility time are a priority you could consider doing a pre-wedding shoot or a first-look shoot to free up more time during the reception (if that is in your budget).

6. Assign Specific Time for Mingling: During the reception, carve out a specific time to go around and greet each table. This can be done after dinner while everyone is still seated, making it easier to chat with everyone.

7. Have a Longer Reception: A longer reception will give you more time to spend with your guests. Just make sure that there's plenty of food, drinks, and entertainment to keep your guests happy.

8. Skip or Shorten Traditions: Some wedding traditions can be time-consuming. You might consider skipping or shortening some, like the bouquet/garter toss, lengthy speeches, or receiving line. Just because it is a tradition does not mean you have to incorporate an event unless it is something that is important to you or your partner.

9. Use a Wedding Planner or Coordinator: A wedding planner can handle the logistics and issues that might arise, allowing you to focus on your guests! Trust me they will deal with issues you do not even know existed... Cue Justin from team wedding talk sprinting full spead up a hill carrying all the wedding decor that blew away, during a snowstorm (maybe an exaggeration, maybe not)

10. Stay in the Same Hotel as Your Guests: If you have a lot of guests coming from out of town and everyone is staying in a hotel, it might be fun and convenient to stay in the same place. This can provide additional opportunities for informal gatherings and quality time together.

11.Plan Decor Intentionally: What do decorations have to do with quality time? Large centerpieces can cut guests off or interrupt conversations. If you are wanting to prioritize quality time and conversations be sure to keep this in mind when planning your decora

Remember, your wedding is your special day. Make sure you plan it in a way that makes you and your partner happy!

Happy Planning!

XO The Wedding Talk Team