"Strengthening Family Ties: Essential Items to Include in Your Face-to-Face Meeting Program"
2020.02.02 published
First Greeting: "Meeting of Both Families"
The meeting of both families is the first occasion when both families come together. Since they will be family for a long time, we want it to be a pleasant and warm gathering, right? ♩
That said, it is natural for parents to feel nervous talking to someone they are meeting for the first time (especially the parents of their son or daughter's partner!).
While they certainly want to make a good impression, they may also have anxieties like, "What if the conversation doesn't flow...?"
Therefore, it is important for the couple, who knows their parents well, to take the lead in creating a good atmosphere ◎
Let's Prepare a Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ♩
However, both of you will likely be nervous on the day, so whether or not the atmosphere is right can only be known on the day itself…!
In such moments, here’s the savior: the “Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet.”
The pamphlet is a booklet that includes profiles of the couple and their parents, as well as details about the wedding schedule.
It’s like a version of the profile book prepared for the wedding, specifically for the meeting of both families ♩
With this pamphlet, conversations can progress smoothly while referring to it, and even if the conversation stalls, looking down at the pamphlet will help avoid any awkwardness ◎
This time, we will introduce the contents and items to include in this meeting pamphlet ♩
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ① Cover
A simple yet traditional cover is popular for the pamphlet. Incorporating both families' crests or the character "寿" (meaning longevity) is also a classic choice ◎
☑ Family A Family B
☑ Meeting of Both Families
☑ Date
☑ Location
Let's make sure to include these four items ♩
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ② Greeting
It is standard to include a greeting on the very first page. *
Express thanks for the attendance at the meeting and convey what kind of occasion you hope it will be ◎
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ③ Program / Today's Flow
Writing the program and flow for the meeting is also a common practice.*
Even a rough outline can give an idea of the flow, and it will help prevent the situation where you forget to take commemorative photos!
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ④ Menu
If you have taken special care in the meal for the gathering, writing down the menu is also recommended.
The more detailed you can be, the better the conversation will flow ♩
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ⑤ Profiles
Including the profiles of the couple is not only a way for parents to learn about their child's partner but also a great opportunity to get to know their own child again, so it’s enjoyable for parents too.*
Including childhood photos and photos of the couple's parents will likely spark lively conversations too ♡
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ⑥ Parents’ Introduction / Family Tree
Introducing the parents and including a family tree is also a good idea. * Adding hobbies or what they are currently interested in can make conversations easier.
Even if siblings are not participating, including a family tree can make it easier to understand.*
Don't forget to introduce the pets as well ♩
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ⑦ About the Wedding / Upcoming Schedule
If the wedding plans are set, it’s good to share the venue details and future schedule too ♩
While this might have been communicated verbally, having it in writing will surely give parents peace of mind ♡
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ⑧ Contact Information for Both Families
Since there aren’t too many opportunities to ask for parents' contact details, it would be smart to write them down.*
Writing down the home phone number and address will help for sending gifts during the seasons or for New Year’s cards ♩
Items to Include in the Meeting of Both Families Pamphlet ⑨ Final Greeting
Write a closing greeting on the last page. *
Convey your enthusiasm for the wedding and specifics about the kind of family you wish to build in the future; this will be appreciated ◎
Let's Create a Pamphlet for the Meeting of Both Families ♩
We’ve introduced the contents you'd want to include in a pamphlet for the meeting of both families. *
You can either hand it out in advance or leave it on the tables for guests to pick up on the day, but if there’s a lot of content, it’s better to hand it out beforehand so that no one becomes too engrossed in reading, missing parts of the event.*
Let’s make a pamphlet for the meeting of both families and create a warm and wonderful occasion ♩
➡ List of Articles on Meetings of Both Families *
<Extra> Items to Prepare for the Meeting *
For the meeting, everyone, including yourselves, your parents, and siblings, will likely come wearing masks, but they will need to be removed during the meal.
In such cases, placing the masks directly on the table may not be hygienic, and putting them directly into bags can also seem unrefined.
For your sake, to avoid making your parents and in-laws wonder, “Where should we put our masks…?”, it would be very thoughtful to prepare a mask case with a note saying, "Please feel free to use this.” This will make you look like a considerate daughter! (It could also serve as a conversation starter.*)
We at marry offer original designs for mask cases, so we would be delighted if you could make good use of them ♡
(And please do use them for the wedding as well! *)
➡ Here is the article and purchase page for mask cases *