Junior Rasmussen
A wedding reception is a time for celebration, dining, toasts, dancing, and other activities. It is usually more relaxed than the wedding ceremony and can vary in formality, from casual and bohemian to formal black-tie events. The reception venue is typically larger than the ceremony venue and can be hosted indoors or outdoors. While there is no set order of events for a wedding reception, there are some common traditions such as a grand entrance, first dance, parent dances, cake-cutting, and a bouquet toss. The wedding planner, MC, or venue manager is typically in charge of maintaining order and keeping things running smoothly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | Between 4 and 7 hours |
| Location | A larger venue than the wedding ceremony, with room for activities, speeches, and mingling |
| Guest List | May be larger than the wedding ceremony guest list |
| Food | Brunch or dinner, depending on the time of day |
| Drinks | Bar service |
| Dancing | First dance, parent dances, and open dance floor |
| Cake | Cake-cutting |
| Traditions | Garter toss, shoe game, photo booths, etc. |
| Timing | A wedding reception timeline is created and maintained by the wedding planner, MC, or venue manager |
| Dress Code | Can vary based on the couple's preferences, from casual and bohemian to formal and black-tie |
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What You'll Learn
Cocktails and canapes
During the cocktail hour, the newlyweds can also make their grand entrance into the reception venue, along with their wedding party, if they choose to have one. This is usually a fun and lively moment, with music and sometimes even confetti involved. It's a chance for the couple to be introduced to the guests and to officially kick off the reception celebrations.
The canapes served during cocktail hour can vary depending on several factors. For instance, seasonality plays a role—you might not want to serve fish or chocolate at an outdoor summer wedding due to potential spoilage. You can also have canapes that reflect your wedding theme or colours. For instance, a winter wedding could offer hot and spicy delicacies with hot punch or hot chocolate. It's important to cater to different dietary needs, such as vegetarians and those with wheat intolerances.
If you're having a smaller, more intimate wedding with close family and friends, you might choose to have a reception focused primarily on drinks and canapes, with a significant amount of food. This could include various stations offering cheese, crackers, crudites, small plates, and even a salad bar.
The cocktail hour usually lasts about an hour, but it can be adjusted to fit the timeline of your reception. It's a great time to set the tone for the rest of the evening, whether you plan to have a grand dinner, an epic dance party, or a mix of themed activities.
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Photos
Wedding photography is an important part of the reception, with many couples choosing to take photos before the reception begins. This can include the “first look” photos, wedding party photos, and family photos. Completing these photos before the ceremony ensures that the couple can enjoy cocktails and conversations with their guests during the reception.
The cocktail hour is also a great time to snap more casual and candid photos with guests, as they mingle and enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres. During this time, the newlyweds often take portraits, either during the cocktail hour or before the ceremony.
The first hour of the wedding reception includes many formalities, such as the grand entrance and first dance, so it is important to ensure that the photographer captures these moments. The couple's parents, bridal party, and other wedding party members are also introduced during this time, and these introductions may be accompanied by music and information about each person.
Throughout the evening, the couple may take fun pictures with their guests, including on the dance floor or even nighttime shots at a chosen location. Some couples choose to include interactive activities, such as a photo booth, which provides guests with another opportunity to capture memories from the reception.
Finally, the grand finale or exit of the newlyweds is another key moment to capture, as the couple may choose to make a grand exit, such as walking out of the church with confetti, or sneaking out for some alone time.
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Speeches and toasts
Traditionally, the father of the bride starts with a welcome and thanks to the guests, followed by a few words about the bride and some advice for the couple. The groom's family may also speak, including the father and/or mother of the groom, though sometimes this takes place during the rehearsal dinner. The maid of honour and best man usually follow, with the best man giving a toast. The maid of honour typically includes an introduction, a story about how they know the couple, personal anecdotes, jokes, and a closing toast. The best man can follow a similar format.
If the couple chooses to speak, they may wish to thank their guests and relatives and kickstart the reception meal. It is also common for the couple to give a speech at the rehearsal dinner, welcoming everyone and sharing a story about their relationship.
Toasts are also a key part of the speeches. The champagne toast usually kicks off the wedding reception, with the person proposing the toast standing and saying a few words before inviting guests to raise a glass to the couple. Toasts can be short and punchy or longer and rhyming, and they can include blessings and proverbs.
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Dinner and cake
The food served at a wedding reception often tells a story about the couple's relationship and creates the right ambiance. Couples can serve anything from steak and fries to seafood, or even breakfast for dinner. Passed appetizers, such as crab cakes and hors d'oeuvres, are also common during cocktail hour.
The wedding cake is another important element of the reception. Cake-cutting is considered a formality and is usually placed after all the other key moments of the evening. Couples can choose to cut the cake before the first dance or parent dances, or even at the end of the reception, as it signals the official 'end' of the wedding reception.
There is no prescribed order for the events at a wedding reception, and the timeline can be adjusted to suit the couple's preferences. However, it is important to provide the wedding planner, MC, or venue manager with a detailed "run of show" to ensure the evening runs smoothly.
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Dancing
The grand entrance is an important dance floor moment during the wedding reception. As cocktail hour comes to a close, wedding party members are gathered and line up, often in pairs. The DJ/emcee will play some lively music and announce the wedding party members by name as they enter the room. The newlyweds may almost immediately begin their first dance after making their grand entrance, or they may wait until after dinner. The first dance is a special moment as it's the first time the couple dances together as a married pair. The couple may have taken dance lessons or might choose to improvise—it depends on their comfort level and style.
Parent dances, such as the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance, may take place at several points during the wedding reception. Sometimes they occur immediately after the first dance, other times after dinner, after toasts, or after the cake cutting. For heterosexual couples, the bride dances with her dad, and then the groom dances with his mom. Other special relatives, like grandparents, may join in at the end. LGBTQIA+ couples can also choose how they'd like to handle parent dances. After the parent dances, the wedding party is invited to take the floor. The best man and maid of honour traditionally dance together first, followed by the rest of the crew.
Some large cultural weddings feature traditional dances or musical pieces. Be sure to schedule these within the reception timeframe, ideally before cake cutting so that the photographer is still present to capture the moment.
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Frequently asked questions
The average wedding reception is about 5 hours, including one hour for cocktails and 4 hours for dinner and dancing. However, the duration of weddings can vary.
The reception is when dining, toasts, dancing, and other activities happen. This is where everyone gets to party and celebrate the couple's union. There are usually speeches, a first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, and a bouquet toss.
There is no prescribed order, but a typical order of events is as follows: cocktail hour, toasts at the end of cocktail hour, cake cutting and dessert, parent dances, first dance, open dance floor, and last dance.
They will help you draft a reception timeline and ensure the smooth running of the event.
There is usually an after-party held at a bar or venue nearby. The couple does not need to be in attendance.
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