Reception

Wedding Articles

Reception Tips

Outline a schedule of events that will take place at the reception and allow ample time for each.

You may choose to have a receiving line at the entrance to the reception hall. If you have a lot of guests, a receiving line is most practical. If you are having around 50 guests, mingling with guests during the cocktail hour or during dinner by walking from table to table will suffice.

Having a cocktail hour can be a great way for guests to get to know each other while they wait for you and your honey to finish your photos. They won't be hungry either.

Put dance lovers near the dance floor. They will make sure the party gets started.

Never be your own emcee. Assign the DJ, a close family member, friend, or even the caterer. It’s your time to enjoy yourself. Let the emcee make sure everything happens on time.

Be creative when making menus. They can be decorated in flowers, your photos, or even poems that are special to the both of you. You may even include the program with details of the events to take place during the reception.

When you enter the reception, you and your honey can have your first dance before you are seated for dinner.

If you’re having a 5 course meal, entertain your guests with games. Your DJ will know plenty.

Having your speeches during dinner will make the dinner process faster and more enjoyable. Limit your guests to have quick 2-5min speeches. As beautiful and entertaining that they can be, you don’t want your whole reception spent listening to speeches.

The bride and groom finish off the speeches with their speech in which they can include a thank you note to all the guests, parents, and anyone else who was part of the wedding.

If your guest's ages range between 8 and 80, make sure you play music that every age group can relate to. Most likely the elderly and parents with young children will be the first to say goodnight, so don’t forget to include more of their tunes first.

The cake cutting should be done near the end of the reception. This will usually serve as a sign to guests that it’s ok to leave now.

The bouquet and garter toss can be done before the cake cutting or just before you make your getaway.

Traditionally the couple would leave close to the end of the reception. These days many couples choose to stay right to the end to spend more time with guests. Either way is fine.