Wedding Reception
In many ways this is the major part of the wedding, in the sense that it is where guests will spend most time and will see most of the bride and groom. Factors to consider when choosing a venue are:
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Are you having a Civil Ceremony
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Number of guests?
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Venues available with easy reach of the wedding ceremony? – hotels, restaurants, parish halls, community centres, other establishments with banqueting facilities, such as, museums, or zoos – one popular option is a marquee in the grounds of or near the bride’s parents home.
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Whether you want a formal sit-down meal or informal buffet?
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The time of the wedding ceremony? – with a morning service the guests will require lunch. If the wedding is mid-afternoon, they will have had lunch and can wait longer for the meal.
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How welcome you are made to feel at the venue.
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Is there accommodation for guests to stay overnight if they are travelling a long distance?
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Can you get an extension to the bar should you wish?
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Do they cater for different diets i.e. diabetic, vegetarian etc.
The receiving line is to make sure that every guest at the wedding is greeted and introduced to both families. The usual order is Bride’s Mother, Bride’s Father, Groom’s Mother, Groom’s Father, Bride, Groom, Chief Bridesmaid and Bridesmaids then Best Man.
For a ‘sit-down’ wedding breakfast the Bride’s Mother usually gives the signal for the bridal party to lead the way to the tables.
Seating Plan – it is always necessary to plan seating for a large wedding breakfast, the plan should be displayed where everyone can see it. Place cards will ensure that everyone is sitting in the correct place.
The main bridal party sit at the top table with the bride and groom in the centre and Bride’s parents at either side.
| Best man |
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| Bride's Mother |
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| Bride's Father |
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| Bride |
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Guest |
| Groom |
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| Groom's Mother |
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| Groom's Father |
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Grace – is an option to consider incorporating - if the Minister is present he should be asked to offer Grace, otherwise the Bride’s Father or any other member of the guests may be asked to perform the duty, or your Toastmaster.
Cake Cutting – after the meal it is usual to announce (by the Toastmaster or nominated guest) that the bride and groom will cut the cake, the bride holding the knife in her right and hand with the Groom’s right hand over hers, followed by the bride’s left hand on the top will then cut the cake – it is only necessary to make a cut before the cake is taken away to be cut into small slices and handed round to guest after the speeches.
Guideline of Times – time planning with anticipation and due allowance is vital to ensure a ‘smooth run’ through your wedding day without ‘hurry-scurry’ on this no doubt the happiest – possibly busiest and longest day – when time always seems to fly.
Your 2.00pm ceremony….will start on time…..only if….at
1.20 Bridegroom, Best Man & Ushers arrive with Order of Service……
1.30 Guests arrive, to be in and seated no later than ….1.45pm
1.40 Bride’s Mother, Bridesmaids & Pages arrive
1.45 Bride & Bride’s Father arrive usually for photographs and to see Registrar if necessary
1.55 Ready at the Door – to go up the aisle at….2.00pm
| Minimum Time |
Normal |
Yours |
| To start |
10+ mins |
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| Ceremony |
45+ mins |
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| Photography |
90+ mins |
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| Travel |
20+ mins |
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| To Receive |
195+ mins |
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| Total |
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Time plan from a 2.00pm ceremony
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Normal |
Yours |
| Photos finish by |
4.45 |
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| To Start receiving |
4.45 - 5.15 |
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| Finish receiving |
5.15 - 5.45 |
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| To sit down twixt |
5.15 - 5.45 |
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| To start speeches |
6.45 - 7.16 |
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| Finish speeches |
7.15 - 7.45 |
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To retire from the table for the Evening Reception usually 7.30 for 8.00/8.00 for 8.30.
Even so the “sit down times” indicated, will require some flexibility to be negotiated with the Banqueting Staff.
Speeches – It is customary to have three speeches. The first one toasting the health and happiness of the bride and groom, usually made by the bride’s father or an old family friend. The bridegroom responds by thanking everyone for coming to the wedding and proposes a toast to the bridesmaids. The third speech should be made by the best man who replies on behalf of the bridesmaids, then reads out any telegrams and wedding cards, he may propose a toast to the parents.
When preparing a speech:
1.Prepare a speech that suits the occasion.
2. Ask yourself what you would like to hear if you were one of the guests.
3. Don’t forget to propose or respond to the toast.
4. Keep it short 3 – 5 minutes.
5. Don’t use blue or vulgar jokes
6. Don’t drink too much.
7. Speak in a slightly raised voice, but don’t rush or shout
8. Avoid long, complicated sentences
9. Be yourself.
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