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Wedding Reception

Wedding Reception

Receptions

When choosing where to have your reception and how, first you must think about what kind of a celebration you would like. Small and intimate or a large celebration. Do you want it to be a traditional affair or a modern and cotemporary event? In some cases your reception will take place in the same venue as your ceremony. If you are getting married in a castle, country manor, marquee or abroad then this will be the case. However if for example you are having a church ceremony then you will need a separate venue for the reception. This could be in a Hotel, Restaurant, in someone's house or garden. If you are having it in someone's house or garden or even in a country manor or marquee you may need to use caterers. It is important to make your arrangements well ahead and confirm them with the venue or caterers in writing. In most cases you will be expected to pay for all food ordered but only the drinks that your guests actually consume. At the reception the bride and groom normally arrive first then the parents. If you decide not to have a receiving line then the bride and groom could greet the guests at the door. At a very large wedding this could actually be a really effective way of saving time.

If you choose to have a formal receiving line then this is the correct order, bride's parents, groom's parents, bride and groom, attendants.

The traditional timetable would be: receiving line; the meal (the minister, if present, should be asked to say grace); speeches and toasts; cutting of the cake; departure of the bride and groom.

Top Table seating plan:

Chief bridesmaid, grooms father, bride's mother, groom, bride, bride's father, grooms mother, best man.

Drinks
A reasonable average to have is about half a bottle of wine per head. If you are catering for your wedding yourself, then it would be a good idea to order drinks on a sale-or-return basis. Champagne is the traditional wedding-party drink however this can be expensive so do remember that there are other sparkling wines to choose from, and some alternatives include sherry, Pimm's or wine. For the toasts it is traditional to have champagne.

If a meal is served the choice of wines depends on what is on the menu. Remember to provide soft drinks for children and other non-alcoholic drinks for those adults who choose not to drink. Also tea and coffee is always welcomed and it is a good idea to provide one or two drinks on the house and have a cash bar for additional drinks.


Speeches
Speeches should be kept brief and to the point, you do not want your guests getting bored. They should also be sincere and a good joke or two always goes down well. Any embarrassing stories of either the bride or groom should be for the stag and hen night not for the reception. It will not be received well at all by the bride or groom. Also any lengthy history stories of the bride or grooms childhood will only be boring. The first speaker should be the bride's father or an old family friend; they should propose a toast to the health of the newly married couple. It is not uncommon for the bride to give a speech at this point also, but most brides prefer not too. The Groom is normally next to give a speech. He should thank the bride's parents for the wedding (this can be changed discreetly if his parents also contributed or if they paid themselves). He should also thank the guests for their lovely gifts and then propose a toast to the attendants. It is now time for the best mans speech, in this he basically replies on the guests behalf and reads out any cards or messages.

Who Pays For What?

• Traditionally the brides parents would organise and pay for the wedding however nowadays the work and costs are spread, and the groom's parents and the bride and groom themselves contribute. It is not unusual for the bride and groom to actually pay for the whole wedding.

• Tradition says, the bride's parents should pay for:
• Press announcements.
• Flowers for the church and reception.
• Wedding clothes for the bride and her attendants.
• Photographer and video.
• Transport.
• Reception.
• Wedding Stationery. ( Get this at UK Wedding Stationery )
• Wedding Cake.
• The groom should be responsible for:
• All fees connected with the church (except flowers).
• Bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids, flower sprays for both mothers, and buttonholes for himself and his attendants.
• Engagement and wedding rings.
• Presents for attendants.
• Honeymoon, although brides often contribute.


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http://www.uk-wedding-stationery.co.uk/