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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