Your Reception Venue

The Order of Proceedings
There is a traditional order of proceedings for receptions that you may want to follow either in its entirety or in part. This will depend on the formality of your wedding and the mood you wish to create.









 

A traditional running sheet might look something like this:

• Everyone arrives at the reception.
• You and your groom greet your guests. You may decide to have a receiving line (see below).
• More official photographs are taken.
• The MC asks your guests to be seated.
• The MC announces the entrance of you and your groom, followed by your attendants and parents.
• Dinner is served.
• Towards the end of the meal the toasts and speeches commence.
• The cake is cut.
• You and your groom begin the dancing with a bridal waltz. The MC then invites your parents to join you on the dance floor, followed by your attendants. Finally, your guests join in.
• You and your groom mingle with your guests.
• You throw your bouquet to the single ladies.
• Your groom tosses your garter to the single men.
• You change into your going-away outfit.
• Your guests form a circle. You and your groom go around the circle in opposite directions, saying goodbye to each guest. You finally meet up in front of your parents.
• You say your final farewell to your parents.
• Your guests gather to wave farewell to you both.
• The guests stay a little longer to thank your parents before finally departing the reception.

Receiving Your Guests
A receiving line is traditional, but it certainly isn’t compulsory. Nonetheless, it does give you the opportunity, particularly if you are having a large wedding, to greet each guest personally. However, remember that your receiving line conversations should be welcoming and friendly, but for obvious reasons, kept short!

Your receiving line should begin with your mother, who is the official hostess, and then your groom’s mother. You are next in line, followed by your groom, the best man, and your chief bridesmaid or matron of honour.

Receiving the Options
Traditionally, the groomsmen, your father and your father-in-law will mingle with the guests and ensure everyone is settling in. However, if you would prefer that your fathers are part of the receiving line, each should stand to the left of his wife.

If your wedding is particularly large and you want to ensure that your guests are greeted as quickly as possible, another alternative is to have two receiving lines, one for the bride and groom and the other for the bridesmaids and the groomsmen. welcoming the bride and groom | After a short time of mingling and pre-dinner drinks, your Master of Ceremonies will ask for your guests to be seated before announcing your entrance.

This is your cue to enter the reception room and enjoy the applause and support of your family and guests.

After you have been seated at the head table, the MC announces the entrance of your attendants, and if they are seated at your table, your parents.

Completing The Formalities
There are a number of formalities that play a role in carrying your reception through to its conclusion. Look in the ‘Planning Your Reception’ section of this edition of The Bride’s Diary for more detailed information on toasts and speeches, and cutting your cake, as well as many other facets of your reception.
 

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