Tip of The Week: Merging Friendship Circles

One of the fun things about attending a friends wedding is that we get to learn more about them and their partner, which includes meeting the new people that have entered their lives. However it is important to take time to nurture and plan this new interaction between friends. Here are some tips: 

1. Have An Event Prior: Some of the guests attending the weeding may not know anyone at the wedding or you could have guests from overseas so to make them feel comfortable create an event (can be quite small like a Sunday BBQ) and DO provide alcohol as it might take a little bit extra for some to come out of their shell! Create a table or a bar area where people can gather and talk.

2. Fun Games: I recently attended a hen's night where we all had to write down a memorable event with the bride and she had to guess who it came from. Then we also had to write and pick one dare. This made the evening run smoother as guests to got to know a little bit more about each other! Fun introductory games are great because they allow people to find out what interests or experiences they might have in common. Playing games around cocktail hour will definitely provide some memorable times! 

3. Mix Up The Tables: This one really depends on the guests attending! If everyone knows each other at the table there is no ice breaker, they will have a good time but will not meet the other people attending the wedding. If you think that a few of your friends would get on like a house on fire but they just haven't had a chance to meet- this is your opportunity to merge those friendship circles. A good way to maintain a level of comfortableness is to have a few friends who know each other together e.g. for an eight seat table split the friends into 3-5 or 4-4. Just remember this is a tough one and be very careful of placing people together!!!

4. Fun Facts: Everyone loves a fun wedding! To break the ice at the reception tables, place fun fact cards e.g. " Someone at this table went on an African Safari". This way the guests will find out more about each other and go on to have further conversations. 

5. Good Old Slideshow: Start the wedding with a slideshow of the bride and groom growing up and feature the significant people in your lives. This might involve some of the guests and it is guaranteed that they will reminisce on those times!