All
About Reception Traditions
You may have any, all, or none
of these, as you wish.
A photo
display of events in the couple’s childhood
and courtship on a bulletin board at the entrance of the reception.
A bridal
portrait display, usually on an easel or framed
and sitting on the table with the guest book.
A receiving
line: mother of the bride first, then mother of
the groom, then father of the groom, then father of the bride (if
he does not choose to circulation as host), then the bride, then
groom, then maid/matron of honor, then bridesmaids, if you wish.
This can also be changed to how you wish. We had bridesmaids with
their groomsmen escorts, best man, maid/matron of honor, parents
of the groom, parents of the bride, groom, and then bride.
Toasting:
done first by the best man for the couple, then by the groom for
his bride, then by anyone else.
The
first dance: reserved for the newlyweds alone.
The
second dance: the bride with her father; then, the
groom with his mother-in-law, and the bride’s father with
the groom’s mother. Then guests join in.
Cutting
the cake: the bride and groom, his hand over hers,
cut the first slice of wedding cake. She takes the first bite, and
then feeds him the second. The caterer cuts the balance to be served
to guests. (If a buffet reception, this is usually done right after
the toasting; if a sit-down, it is done after the meal.)
Tossing
the bouquet: all unmarried women get together behind
the bride as she tosses her bouquet over her shoulder. (This may
be done right after the cake cutting or toward the end of the reception
before the couple leaves.)
Tossing
the garter: the groom removes the garter from the
bride’s leg and tosses it over his shoulder to all unmarried
men. (The bachelor who catches it may then put it on the leg of
the woman who caught the bride’s bouquet.)
Taking
leave: if you are merely going upstairs to a hotel
suite, your leaving signals the end of the reception; if you are
going away, then the two of you will sneak off to change clothes,
and reappear to bid a final good-bye in a shower of good wishes
often accompanied by rice, bird seed, rose petals, bubbles, or balloons.
Reception
favors: mementos for guests to take home. These
may include special candy or groom’s cake, inscribed glasses,
plants, menus, framed photographs, scrolls, personalized napkins,
or even disposable cameras. The options here are unlimited. Just
use your imagination and let the ideas start flowing.
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