Wedding
innovations will continue to develop, but some reception
traditions have stood
the test of time. The following is a list of the most
commonly practiced reception traditions.
- Photo Display: A
nice personal touch to add to the reception is
to display pictures of the couple
for the guests to view. You could include pictures
from childhood through courtship and your
engagement pictures. Place the photo display on
a
bulletin board at the entrance of the reception site or frame some pictures and
place them on the table by your guest book.
- Bridal Portrait Display:
What better way
to show off your beautiful bridal portrait than at
your wedding reception! You could place
the picture on an easel near the entrance
of the
reception site or on the table by your guest book.
(Of course, if you are planning on displaying the
bridal portrait at the reception, be sure to have
the picture taken well in advance.)
- Grand Entrance: Due
to picture taking and other delays after the wedding
ceremony, it is common for the
wedding party to arrive at the reception site much
later than the guests. Therefore many couples choose
to make a grand entrance and have an announcement
made at their arrival to the reception. The wedding
party should line up in order outside of the entrance
to the reception room and enter one at a time after
the DJ or emcee announces them.
Traditional order is the groom's parents, bride's
parents,
flower
girl
and
ring bearer,
bridesmaids escorted by ushers, maid of honor escorted
by best man, and finally the bride & groom. This
is a great way to create a joyful, celebratory mood
and signify the start of the festivities.
- Toasting: Wedding
toasts give people a chance to publicly express
their feelings
and honor the bride and groom with their kind words
of advice, sentimental memories, and best wishes
for the future. The first toast to the couple is
always offered by the best man. For more information
about making toasts at the reception, click
here.
- The Bride and Groom's
First Dance:
The first dance at the reception
is always reserved for the newlyweds, to mark their
first dance as husband and wife.
- Special Spotlight
Dances: Many couples
choose to honor
their parents,
grandparents, and wedding party with special spotlight
dances. Traditionally these special dances are kicked
off with the bride dancing with her father, followed
by the groom with his mother and then a dance with
the bride & groom, parents, grandparents, and the
entire wedding party announced one by one.
- Dollar Dance: The
dollar dance is dance in which the guests form
two lines and pay a dollar to dance with the bride
or groom.
Participation by the guests is voluntary.
The DJ plays an assortment of slow songs that you
can dance to with your guests. Designate a hostess
who
can collect the money and usher
your guests through so that you may dance with all
of them. Most couples
use the money as extra spending cash
on their honeymoon!
- 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. Then the rest of the
cake is cut and served to the guests. The tradition
of the bride and groom cutting the cake
is always a crowd pleaser and
a great
opportunity
for pictures.
- Throwing the Bouquet: This
well known tradition is supposed to identify the
next bride in your immediate circle of friends and
family. The single woman who catches your bouquet
after you throw it is supposedly the "next in
line!"
If you choose to partake in this practice consider having your florist make you
a small "throwing bouquet" made for the sole purpose of being tossed
into the sea of single women.
- Throwing the Garter: Similar
to the brides throwing of the bouquet, the garter
toss is another popular tradition. The groom removes
the garter form the bride's leg and then throws it
over his shoulder to a group of single men.
The bachelor who catches the garter is
designated the next groom. Another twist, at some
weddings the tradition is continued by having the
bachelor put the garter on to
the leg
of
the woman
who caught the bride's bouquet.
- Grand Exit: If
you are merely going upstairs to a hotel suite, your
leaving signals the end of the reception. If you are going away before the end
of the party, 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: Reception
favors are mementos for guests to take
home. These may include
special candy, groom’s cake, inscribed glasses, plants, framed
photographs, scrolls, etc. The options and ideas are endless. Giving favors
is a perfect way to thank your guests for attending
and taking
part
in the celebration!
Note: Remember,
many of
these traditions are completely optional and a couple
may choose to omit or alter these customary practices
as they see fit.
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