Franklin Dean
The wedding reception is a party that usually follows the marriage ceremony. It is an opportunity for the newly married couple to be received and celebrated by their community of family and friends. The reception can take many forms, from a brief half-hour affair to a days-long celebration.
While the reception traditionally takes place immediately after the ceremony, some couples opt to hold the reception later in the day or even days after the wedding. This gap between the ceremony and reception can be used to take photographs, enjoy some alone time, or spend time with the wedding party. Ultimately, the couple chooses the details and location of the reception, and it is an opportunity to showcase their party-planning skills and celebrate with their guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To celebrate the couple's marriage |
| Timing | Usually follows the ceremony, either immediately or later that day |
| Duration | 4-7 hours |
| Location | Same venue as the ceremony or a different one |
| Guests | Same or different guest list as the ceremony |
| Food | Cocktails, canapés, wedding breakfast, cake, buffet, etc. |
| Activities | Photos, grand entrance, first dance, parent dances, games, bouquet and garter toss, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Post-wedding reception activities
Post-wedding receptions are a time-honoured tradition in most societies and can last anywhere from half an hour to several days. The activities you choose for your post-wedding reception will depend on your budget, the number of guests, the weather, and the time of year. Here are some ideas for post-wedding reception activities to get you started:
- Outdoor games: If your venue has outdoor space, you could organise lawn games such as corn hole, Bocce ball, or giant Jenga. For smaller groups, you could try something more adventurous like paintballing, horse riding, or water sports.
- Indoor games: For indoor entertainment, consider a game of trivia, a crossword, or a movie screening. You could even organise a murder mystery evening, complete with costumes and props.
- Food and drink: Depending on the time of day, you could organise a brunch, a pub lunch, or an outdoor BBQ. For something more interactive, set up a make-your-own pizza station or a build-your-own sundae bar.
- Music and dancing: Hire a live band or a DJ to get your guests on their feet. If you want to make your first dance as a married couple extra special, consider choreographing a routine or taking dance lessons in the style of your choice.
- Outdoor excursion: If your wedding venue is in a picturesque location, organise a countryside hike or a walk to make the most of the scenery. Alternatively, plan a picnic with games and activities.
- Entertainment: Magicians, tarot card readers, caricature artists, and fire performers are just some of the unique entertainment options you could hire to surprise and delight your guests.
- Relaxation: If you and your guests would appreciate some rest and relaxation after the wedding, organise a spa day or an afternoon tea.
- Sports: If there's a sporting event happening near your venue, take your guests along to cheer on your favourite team.
- Classes: Hire an expert to instruct your guests in a new discipline such as cookery, origami, or tai chi.
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Advantages of a separate reception venue
While it is common for couples to opt for a single venue for their wedding ceremony and reception, there are several advantages to choosing separate locations for each event. Firstly, it allows couples to realise their dream wedding vision. For example, if a couple has always dreamed of exchanging vows in a unique setting, such as by the crashing surf, on a mountaintop, or in a redwood forest, they may need to book a separate reception venue as all-in-one venue options that offer these settings are often more limited and costly.
Another advantage of separate venues is the potential for a more specialised ceremony space. Religious ceremonies, for instance, often take place in a place of worship, such as a church or synagogue, which may not offer the desired outdoor setting. By choosing a separate reception venue, couples can ensure they have the flexibility to create their ideal ceremony space without compromising on their vision for the reception.
Additionally, separate venues can enhance the overall experience for the wedding party and guests. The transition from ceremony to reception can be seamless, with guests happily enjoying cocktails and appetisers while the newlyweds pose for photos. This arrangement also eliminates the need for guests to travel between locations, reducing travel time and expenses, especially for out-of-town guests who may be unfamiliar with the area.
Furthermore, separate venues can offer cost savings. Many wedding venues provide package discounts for hosting both the ceremony and reception, and some may even waive additional costs for the ceremony. By choosing a separate reception venue, couples can take advantage of these cost-saving opportunities, making their wedding budget go further.
Lastly, separate venues can provide a more relaxed experience for the couple and their guests. With all the components in the same location, there is less pressure on the couple to manage transitions between different parts of the wedding, such as from the ceremony to the cocktail hour, formal dinner, and entertainment. Guests can also relax and enjoy the transitions, socialising with friends and family while savouring delicious food and drinks.
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Catering options
The wedding reception is a party held after the marriage ceremony to celebrate the newly married couple. The hosts—traditionally the couple's parents—provide food and drink, although a wedding cake is also popular. The reception can last anywhere from half an hour to several days, with the standard reception lasting for around five hours.
Cocktail Hour
The reception typically begins with a cocktail hour, which can be longer than an hour. This gives guests a chance to enjoy drinks, canapes, and conversation while they wait for the couple to arrive.
The Wedding Breakfast
Following the cocktail hour, there is usually a sit-down meal with three courses: a starter, main course, and dessert or wedding cake. This is often served as a buffet.
Evening Reception
Evening-only guests typically arrive around 6-7 pm. The evening reception may begin with the cake-cutting, which is a great opportunity for photographs. This is followed by the first dance, which lasts around 3-5 minutes, and then the parent dances.
Buffet or Catering
If you are having a buffet or other catering, such as a food truck, this usually starts at about 8-9 pm. It is common to announce when the food is ready and invite guests to help themselves. Alternatively, each table can be invited up in turn to prevent a rush.
Late-Night Bites
Some receptions offer late-night bites in the final hour to refuel guests after a night of dancing.
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Entertainment and activities
The entertainment and activities you choose for your wedding reception will depend on your preferences, budget, and guest list. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Music and dancing: Hire a DJ or a live band to get your guests on the dance floor. You could also organise a choreographed first dance or a dance-off competition.
- Outdoor games: Garden games such as giant Jenga, corn hole, and bocce ball are a great way to keep guests entertained during cocktail hour.
- Indoor games: For indoor fun, set up a photo scavenger hunt, a crossword, or a game of heads or tails.
- Food and drink: In addition to the wedding cake, you could have a signature cocktail (or mocktail), a whiskey-tasting table, a DIY cocktail bar, or a hot chocolate bar.
- Fireworks: Wow your guests with a fireworks display—just check that your venue allows it.
- Performers: Consider hiring performers such as acrobats, contortionists, fire performers, or a magician.
- Photo booth: Photo booths are a popular way to keep guests entertained and provide them with mementos.
- Glitter bar: For a festival-themed wedding, a glitter bar will add some sparkle to your guests' beards, eyebrows, and faces.
- Circus entertainers: Hire a whole circus, or opt for individual performers such as aerialists, stilt walkers, or jugglers.
- Casino games: Bring the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to your wedding with casino tables and a croupier.
- Mini-golf: Set up a miniature golf course for guests of all ages to enjoy.
- Confetti cannons: If your venue doesn't allow fireworks, confetti cannons can make for a fun and colourful alternative.
- Singing waiters: Surprise your guests with waitstaff who burst into song.
- Caricaturist: Hire a caricaturist to create unique portraits of your guests.
- Silent disco: Provide your guests with headphones and let them dance the night away without the noise curfew.
- Tribute band: Can't get your favourite band to perform at your wedding? Hire a tribute band instead!
- Children's entertainment: If your wedding is child-friendly, consider hiring a children's entertainer or setting up a separate room with face painting, balloon animals, colouring books, and dress-up corners.
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The role of a wedding planner
Wedding planners are lifesavers for busy couples, handling a multitude of tasks both before and during the wedding to ensure the event runs smoothly. They are experts in their field, using their knowledge and contacts to make the planning process seamless and easy for the couple.
A wedding planner's role begins with helping the couple hone in on their wedding vision, including the desired date, size, style, and location. They also help develop a realistic wedding budget, saving the couple from spending more than they can afford. Planners use their industry connections to find the perfect vendors, from caterers to florists, photographers to bands, and negotiate the best deals to ensure the couple stays within budget.
Planners also take care of the finer details, such as reading and vetting vendor contracts, creating a timeline for the wedding day, and coordinating all the details with vendors. They serve as a point of contact for the couple, fielding requests and questions from vendors, family members, the wedding party, and guests.
On the day of the wedding, the planner manages the logistics, supervises vendors, and handles any emergencies or last-minute changes, ensuring the couple can relax and enjoy their special day.
For destination weddings, a local wedding planner can be especially helpful, connecting the couple with vendors, helping with local customs, and assisting with guest travel and accommodations.
A full-service wedding planner handles all aspects of the planning process, while a month- or day-of coordinator focuses on last-minute logistics and details. Couples should book a full-service planner at least a year in advance, while coordinators can be hired closer to the wedding date.
The average cost of a wedding planner in the US is $1,700, but their industry expertise can help couples save money and avoid costly mistakes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. The wedding reception is a party to celebrate the couple's marriage and can be held immediately after the wedding or later that day. Some couples even wait until the next day to have their reception.
The wedding reception is a party hosted to celebrate the couple's marriage. It is an opportunity for the couple to receive society, in the form of family and friends, for the first time as a married couple.
The wedding reception usually includes food, drinks, music, and dancing. It often begins with a cocktail hour, followed by a formal reception that includes a seated dinner, toasts, and other traditions such as the first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss.
A wedding reception can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. The standard wedding reception is composed of a one-hour cocktail party and a four-hour reception with a dinner service. However, the length of the reception can vary depending on the couple's preferences, the time of day, and the venue's rules.
