Laid Back Reception

Lifestyle Wedding, Fashion & Beauty
1

Hello all.

I’m wondering if anyone had or has been to a laid back/casual reception where the bride & groom didn’t sit on the stage the entire time.

I’ve seen it at valima’s where they greet guests at tables, but not really at wedding receptions.

Would this look strange if we met some guests and didn’t sit all night?

Thanks!

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Re: Laid Back Reception

yeahh i have, well the wedding only had one main function. the 'barat' so to speak, was done at the masjid with the nikkah. so i dont even count that as the function. but to them, the barat/valima was done as one. and the girl was really shy so she didnt even WANT a stage, but last min they did it, and she sat there just for pics, rest she was just roaming around from table to table, and then just sat at one table just like the other guests. it was really weird and awkward. boring as hell, not to mention!

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Re: Laid Back Reception

I'm getting married this way (next summer, InshAllah)- I'm not even having a typical stage. Bride & groom don't have to sit on a stage the entire time - it's all tradition anyways. I would rather walk around, mingle with guests & thank them for their time.
I do think a sitting area for bride/groom is necessary, though. You can decorate the sitting area accordingly to your style - it doesn't HAVE to be a step-up stage.

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Re: Laid Back Reception

^exactly.
we didn't have a stage at our wedding. we opted for a head table instead so we could sit with our bridal party. a stage seemed ott given the small number of guests (96) that we were hosting, plus i don't like stages that much to begin with. we had one at our mehendi and that was fine but i think the only stage i've loved so far was the one i designed for my brother's valima. keep in mind, it also comes down to venue- our wedding was outdoors under a tent and a stage wouldn't have suited the location or style of wedding.

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Re: Laid Back Reception

also, just to add, the presence, or lack thereof, of a stage doesn't necessarily mean the wedding is always "laid back". you can have yours be as formal as you want without a stage too. just think of all the black tie gora weddings where they have sweetheart tables or head tables.

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Re: Laid Back Reception

**A laid back ba'raat would look good if atleast one spouse is a foreigner or if the couple knows each other for a long long time and doesn't want a traditional setup. The Indian receptions are mostly like this and so are the gora weddings. The whole setup is a different at Pakistani weddings so I don't think it would go well with the relatives. **

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Re: Laid Back Reception

but that’s where you have to decide if this wedding is for you or for your relatives, you know? people at desi functions always seem to find something to complain about :rolleyes:

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Re: Laid Back Reception

haha, totally agree with the last bit!

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Re: Laid Back Reception

i went to a wedding where the groom and the bride just sat at the stage in the beginning for like 30min or 1 h, during dinner they had their own table for two people which was not on the stage.. the guest could come and wish them and so on.. it was actually really nice.. they hade decorated the table really nice too with lots of candels and flowers..

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Re: Laid Back Reception

I agree too! There are just so many different people to please, you end up forgetting about your own wishes!

We're also doing a sweetheart table. I think it's nice rather than a head table.

Thanks for all the advice! I think that as SGC said, I may end up mingling with guests as well as sitting on a stage for a bit. I think spending time with guests will be a nice touch and they would appreciate it.

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Re: Laid Back Reception

I don't agree with the one spouse has to be a foreigner for this. Maybe it's just the weddings you've attended, but there is no set rule for that. I will probably go for traditional stage setup but also spend time off the stage as well.