Lyla Dejesus
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, with many aspects to consider, from budgeting and guest lists to venues and entertainment. The ceremony is where it all starts, with the couple exchanging vows and aspirations. This is followed by the reception, where guests indulge in food and drinks, mingle, and celebrate the newlyweds. The reception usually includes events such as cocktail hour, dinner, toasts, first dances, cake cutting, and open dancing. While every wedding is unique, a well-structured timeline ensures a seamless and memorable celebration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eating | Hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, dinner |
| Drinking | Cocktails, beer, wine, signature drinks |
| Dancing | Slow dance, father-daughter dance, mother-son dance, open dance |
| Socialising | Mingling, chatting, catching up, taking photos |
| Entertainment | Photo booths, board games, caricature artists, live music, bouquet and garter toss |
| Ceremony | Procession, vows, signing of the register |
| Reception | Toasts, speeches, cake cutting |
| Planning | Venue, guest list, theme, decorations, invitations, music, vendors, budget |
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What You'll Learn
Cocktail hour
A cocktail hour is a time for guests to mingle, take photos, and enjoy drinks and snacks before the formal introductions at the reception begin. It is usually held between the ceremony and the reception, but it can also take place before the vows are exchanged. The cocktail hour typically lasts for about an hour, but this can be adjusted to suit the needs of the wedding. During this time, guests can enjoy a selection of finger foods and drinks, and there may be entertainment such as live music or a photo booth.
To make the cocktail hour a memorable part of your wedding, here are some ideas to consider:
- Create a Relaxed and Inviting Atmosphere: Adorn high-traffic areas, such as the bar or food stations, with statement floral decorations. Add elegant linens, captivating centrepieces, candles, and other decorative elements to create a sophisticated and ambient atmosphere.
- Engage and Entertain Your Guests: While guests will likely enjoy mingling and catching up, you can also provide activities such as lawn games or a selfie station. Background music can also be a great way to set the tone and keep guests entertained.
- Personalize the Experience: Add personalized details such as monogrammed cocktail napkins, drink stirrers shaped like your pet, or stemless wine glasses engraved with your initials and wedding date. These unique touches will make your cocktail hour more meaningful and memorable.
- Food and Drinks: The cocktail hour is an excellent opportunity to offer your guests a variety of drinks and light bites. Work with your caterer to present the food in whimsical ways, such as miniature baskets or skillets. Ensure there are enough refreshments for your guests, especially if alcohol is being served.
- Seating Chart: While a seating chart is not necessary during the cocktail hour, you can set it up in the cocktail hour area to allow guests to preview their seating assignments. This thoughtful gesture saves time and minimizes congestion when entering the dining space.
Remember, the cocktail hour is a time for guests to relax, socialize, and celebrate with the newlyweds before the formalities of the reception begin. Enjoy this joyous occasion and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones!
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Wedding entrances
The Grand Entrance
A grand entrance is a classic choice for a wedding. This usually happens at the start of the reception when the newlyweds are announced and introduced to the guests for the first time. To make it even grander, some couples choose to have a bridal party lineup, with each member of the bridal party, or pairs, making their own entrance before the couple is announced as the grand finale. This can be a fun way to get everyone involved and build excitement for the newlyweds' entrance.
The Creative Entrance
If you want to add a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your wedding entrance, there are many ways to do so. Some couples choose to incorporate props, like bubble guns or signs, instead of dancing. You could also use ribbons and small bells for a colourful and celebratory entrance or even arrive in a horse-drawn carriage for a fairy-tale-like entrance. For a glamorous spectacle, you could enter walking down a grand staircase with your initials lit up.
The Fun and Funny Entrance
A wedding entrance is a great opportunity to show off your personality as a couple. If you want to add a touch of humour to your entrance, you could consider something fun and lighthearted, like riding into the reception on kids' scooters or having the bride jump out of a fake cake. You could even turn it into a memorable flash mob or a choreographed dance routine. For a fun twist, you can also have a money dance, where money is thrown or handed to the couple, symbolizing a prosperous financial future.
The Low-Key Entrance
Not everyone wants a grand or flashy entrance. If you prefer a more low-key and subtle entrance, you can simply walk into the reception with your partner and go straight into your first dance. You can still make it special by choosing a specific song to enter to and having your guests seated and waiting for your entrance. This way, you can avoid any awkwardness or pressure to perform and simply enjoy the moment.
Remember, your wedding entrance should reflect your personality and style as a couple. Whether you choose a grand, creative, funny, or low-key entrance, make sure it speaks to who you are and sets the tone for the rest of the celebration.
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Dinner
During dinner, guests will typically be treated to speeches and toasts from the newlyweds and their parents. This is also a good time for the couple to thank their guests for attending.
To keep guests entertained during dinner, you could organise some games. For example, a wedding-themed version of bingo, where guests are given cards featuring clichés from wedding speeches, like "Don't the bridesmaids look beautiful". Alternatively, "Find Your Match" is a great way to get guests mingling. Write one half of a famous couple on the back of each guest's place card, and they must find their match by scanning the room. Another game that will get guests interacting is a wedding version of Mad Libs, where one player prompts the others for a list of words to fill in the blanks in a story before reading it aloud.
If you want to get guests active after dinner, there are plenty of options. Lawn games like corn hole, croquet, and life-size board games are a great way to keep guests entertained. Or, for something a little more unusual, you could set up a high striker or a game of archery. If you're looking for something more relaxed, a photo booth or Polaroid pictures with advice and well-wishes for the couple are sure to be a hit.
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Dancing
If you're not the couple, you can still get involved in the dancing. There's no need to feel self-conscious if you're not the best dancer, as wedding guests will often just sway along to the music or chat if they don't want to dance. If you are keen to show off your moves, you can try some basic steps, such as the waltz box step, or simply step out to the side with one foot and move the other foot out to the beat. You can also hold your partner close and sway to the beat if you don't know any fancy moves.
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Toasts
Wedding toasts are a time-honoured tradition and a wonderful way to honour the newlyweds and their loved ones. Here are some tips to help you deliver a memorable and heartfelt toast:
Planning and Content
It is important to plan your toast in advance. While a little humour is always appreciated, it is crucial to strike the right balance between humour and sincerity. Avoid inside jokes and focus on sharing specific anecdotes or moments that offer a glimpse into your relationship with the couple. Keep it short and sweet, ensuring it is well-timed and well-presented.
Honouring the Couple
As a guest, your toast is an opportunity to honour the couple and share your wishes and blessings for their future. You can also take this opportunity to thank the couple for including you in their special day and express your support for their marriage. If you are a close family member, you may also want to include a tribute to those who could not be present, such as loved ones who have passed away.
Including Others
If you are the bride or groom, your toast is a chance to thank those who have supported you and played a significant role in your life. You can also thank those who helped with the wedding preparations, from the décor to the hen do organisers. Additionally, you can propose a toast to your bridal party, expressing your gratitude for their presence and friendship.
Timing and Delivery
The timing of your toast is important. Traditionally, the champagne toast occurs at the end of the speeches, kicking off the wedding reception. However, it can also take place before dessert is served. As the person proposing the toast, stand and say a few words, and then invite all the guests to raise a glass of champagne to the happy couple. It is customary for the couple being toasted to refrain from drinking until everyone else has taken a sip.
Sample Toasts
"Hello, I'm [name], the bride's brother. May I have your attention while I raise a brief toast to my lovely sister and her new wife? Thank you all so much for being here today. To those loved ones who are watching from heaven, you may be gone, but you are never forgotten, and we know you're with us in spirit today. Cheers to my sister and her wife, may their love continue to inspire us all."
"To Keith and Renae, your strong marriages will forever be an inspiration to us. We love you both and are so grateful for all you've done to help us prepare for this day. Cheers to our new and extended family, and to all of you who have shared this journey with us."
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Frequently asked questions
A recommended attire or formal dress code is usually listed on the invitation, website, or both. If you can't find it, don't be afraid to ask the couple or other guests. You can also take cues from the invitation style and venue.
The couple wants to see you enjoying their wedding day and taking part in all the experiences they've planned. If they've brought in extras like photo booths, live musicians, food stations, custom drinks, or anything else, take advantage of it! You can also join in with what the couple is doing, whether that's sitting by the fire, grabbing a drink at the bar, or dancing the night away.
Don't try to talk to the couple or linger along the way immediately after the ceremony. They're likely trying to get everyone out of the chapel so they can do their portraits and get to the reception. You'll get to see the photos afterward, so there's no need to hang around or try to sneak a shot of your own.
