Post # 1
Member
11 posts
Newbee
Wedding is in U.S. and Fiance is from Europe. We’re discussing how to incorporate our cultures and traditions into the ceremony and reception, and he told me how in his culture, there are typically 5+ people (groom, bride, bm, moh, parent(s)) who give 10-20 minute long speeches during the reception. So that’s at least about an hour where guests are eating and listening to people speak, but are expected to be silent and not really socialize with their table. My family is used to more party-type receptions, with fairly quick dinners and toasts and then lots of dancing. Any advice on how to do some elements of FI’s tradition that aren’t super boring for guests? I don’t want to offend his family and friends but I also can’t imagine my family listening quietly to speeches for an hour or two.
Post # 3
Member
1710 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: May 2013 - Walt Disney World
Wow, that is a looong time for speeches. Is there any way to compromise and maybe just have the best man/MOH and one of each set of parents do a speech and maybe just you or Fiance making a speech for the two of you? That’s already 5 speeches but still less than that whole long list…
Post # 4
Member
1849 posts
Buzzing bee
I would give the parents the opportunity to make their traditional speeches, since it’s probably the most important to them, and keep the rest of the speeches shorter and more traditional for the US. Honestly, it seems like if they’ll be offended without their speeches, while your guests may simply get bored but not offended, I would sooner risk boring my guests that hurting his parents. Compromise, of course, but be open to yielding a little more ground on your part.
Post # 5
Member
1478 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: September 2013 - Creek club at ion, SC
Id give the parents 10 mins combined out of respect and ask everyone else to make it quick.
Post # 6
Member
926 posts
Busy bee
I agree with allowing the parents the long speeches and requesting the MOH/best man speech be shorter. Have you considered also breaking up the speeches between dinner courses? For example maybe one set of parents at the start of the reception, the best man and Maid/Matron of Honor after entrees, and the other set of parents after the mains, and yourselves at the end of the night to do the thank yous and to say goodbye
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