A Guide to Wedding Receptions: Order of Service
Your wedding reception is a time for celebration, laughter, and creating unforgettable memories with your loved ones. While every wedding reception is unique, there are certain traditions that tend to follow a similar pattern and order. Whether or not you choose to include every item, there is a typical order of service for most wedding receptions. Below you’ll find a suggest guide to help you plan your wedding reception timeline!
1. Cocktail Hour
Following the wedding ceremony, and before the official reception kicks off, there is a cocktail hour at the reception venue. Delicious appetizers and drinks are provided for guests to enjoy while mingling with friends and family. The cocktail hour sets the tone for the evening and allows guests to relax and socialize before the festivities begin. If your reception takes place indoors, many venues have an outdoor space that can be utilized for cocktail hour, which provides a nice transition into the evening’s events.
2. Grand Entrance
The grand entrance by the bridal party and the newlyweds into the reception venue is a fun, high-energy moment. The grand entrance is usually accompanied with hand-picked music and applause from the guests as each member of the bridal party is announced by the DJ. This moment leads up to the eagerly awaited entrance of the bride and groom. The newlyweds enter the wedding reception as everyone cheers, and they make their way to their seats and are the last to be seated.
3. Toasts and Speeches
Toasts and speeches are an important part of any reception. Usually toasts are given by the parents of the bride and groom, the best man, maid of honor, members of the bridal party, as well as other close friends and family members. They deliver heartfelt, and often comical speeches ending with a toast to the newlyweds. It's a time to celebrate love and the newlyweds’ new chapter in life together.
4. Food is served
Once the bridal party and the newlyweds are seated and speeches have been delivered, dinner service begins. The bride and groom and the wedding party are served first followed by the guests. Meals may include multiple courses depending on the style of the reception. From plated dinners to buffet-style feasts, there are plenty of options to suit every couple's taste and
budget. Allowing the bride and groom to eat first, allows them to finish first and take time to mingle with their guests as they are all seated.
5. Cake Cutting Ceremony
After dinner, it's time for the much-anticipated cake cutting ceremony. The newlyweds stand together as they cut into their wedding cake and then feed each other a bite, symbolizing their first act of sharing as a married couple. This sweet tradition is often accompanied by cheers and applause from the guests; however, some couples opt to enjoy this moment privately.
6. First Dances
The first dances are a highlight of the evening! Most couples enjoy their first dance as husband and wife to a hand-chosen song, representing their love and commitment to each other. After the bride and groom share their first dance together, parent dances typically follow. Mother-son and father-daughter dances, as well as dances with the members of the wedding party are all traditional dances that many choose to include in their reception. These special dances are often accompanied by meaningful songs chosen by the couple.
7. Bouquet Toss
The bouquet toss is a fun tradition for all the single female guests! This fun and lighthearted tradition adds excitement to the reception as the bride tosses her bouquet into a crowd of eager guests, (usually while Beyonce’s All the Single Ladies is playing in the background). The lucky recipient who catches the bouquet is said to be the next to marry.
8. Garter Toss
Similarly, the garter toss is a tradition where the groom removes the bride's garter and tosses it to a group of single male guests. The recipient of the garter is believed to be the next to marry, adding an element of playful competition to the reception.
9. Dancing and Celebration
After dinner and traditional dances are done, the dance floor opens to everyone! It is time to celebrate and have a good time. Guests are invited to dance the night away to their favorite tunes, creating lasting memories with the newlyweds and each other.
10. Wedding Exit
As the evening draws to a close, the newlyweds bid farewell to their guests and make their grand exit from the reception venue. Whether it's a sparkler send-off, a romantic getaway car, or a boat ride into the sunset, the departure is a final moment of magic and romance to conclude the celebration.
While these are all traditional and common wedding reception events it is important to note that your wedding should be uniquely yours. Any of these events can be removed from your wedding reception timeline. Similarly, you can add your own personal spin on this or add something completely new to your wedding services, as your wedding should always reflect you and your spouse. Hopefully, this wedding reception order of service guide helps you plan a seamless and unforgettable celebration that reflects your unique love story. From the first toast to the final farewell, your wedding reception is sure to be a night to remember for years to come.
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