Post-Wedding Bliss: What Comes Next?

So, the wedding ceremony is over and the happy couple have officially tied the knot. But what happens next? Well, the newlyweds might choose to have some photos taken, enjoy a cocktail hour, or even cut the cake. There might be a grand entrance to the reception, a first dance, and a wedding breakfast. The bride and groom will likely want to take some time to savour the moment and enjoy their 'just married' feeling. They might also want to change out of their wedding clothes, relax, and spend some quality time together. There are also some practical tasks to take care of, such as sending thank you cards, changing your name, and cleaning and preserving your wedding outfit.

The reception

The Welcome Process

After the ceremony, the newlyweds often go for photographs with the bridal party while the guests commute to the reception venue. When guests arrive, they will usually find a table list with their names and table numbers. Welcome drinks are typically served, and there is usually a gift table where guests can place their presents. Once guests are seated, they mingle with others at their table until the bridal party arrives.

The Arrival of the Newlyweds

Most couples hire a DJ or musician to create a festive ambiance. Once the newlyweds are finished with their photos, they enter the reception venue to a song of their choice or "Congratulations". The bar is then opened, and starters or appetizers are served.

The Wedding Speeches

After the starters have been cleared, an MC may welcome everyone and propose a toast to the newlyweds. The best man often thanks the bridal party and bridesmaids and delivers a speech about the couple. The bride's father usually says a few words, followed by the groom's speech. These speeches are meant to be fun and short, but they tend to go on for a bit as speakers reminisce or thank particular guests. Once the speeches are finished, the main course is served.

The Opening of the Dance Floor

After the meal, the newlyweds enjoy their first dance to a song of their choice. The newlyweds then dance with their parents, followed by the bridal party. After these first dances, the dance floor is open to all guests.

At some point, the bachelors are called up for the throwing of the garter, where the groom removes the bride's garter and throws it into the crowd. A similar tradition is performed by the bride, who throws her bouquet into a crowd of bachelorettes. The two singles who catch the garter and bouquet may then dance together.

The Cutting of the Cake

The newlyweds cut the wedding cake together, and it is served to the guests. Socializing and dancing usually continue for a short time longer before the event begins to wind down.

The Departure of the Newlyweds

The newlyweds are usually the first to leave the reception. Guests often join together to form a tunnel with their hands for the couple to exit through, thanking guests along the way. The couple then heads to a hotel before leaving for their honeymoon. Guests are usually welcome to stay and dance, but this is when the music ends and people begin to leave.

The wedding breakfast

Nowadays, the wedding breakfast is usually a sit-down meal consisting of three courses: a starter, a main course, and a dessert or wedding cake. However, some brides are opting for a main and dessert only, with the dessert sometimes being the wedding cake. The meal is usually followed by speeches and toasts, traditionally given by the groom, the best man, and the father of the bride, but modern weddings may include speeches from the bride and maid of honour.

For the menu, you could choose a unique option like a luxurious fish pie with fresh vegetables, or incorporate your favourite foods. If your wedding is later in the day, you could cut out the wedding breakfast and opt for substantial canapes. For a fun summer twist, hire an ice cream van to serve cold treats while you have your wedding photos taken. If you want to save money, you could choose afternoon tea followed by a hog roast later in the evening, or even a buffet of British bacon sandwiches for an after-hours treat.

If you want to stick to tradition, the wedding cake is usually cut after the wedding breakfast and before the evening reception. However, it is becoming more common to schedule the cake-cutting for the start of the evening reception to include guests who were not present during the ceremony or breakfast.

Speeches and toasts

Who Should Give a Speech?

Traditionally, the key speakers are the father of the bride, the best man, and the maid of honour. However, this can be adjusted to fit the couple's preferences. For example, the couple may wish to speak themselves, and at modern weddings, the bride, groom, or both may wish to give a speech.

Speeches typically take place during the wedding breakfast, either before, during, or after dessert. Alternatively, they may be given while guests are still seated after dinner, or once the couple has cut the cake.

The sweet spot for a toast is three to five minutes—enough time to share a story and some heartfelt sentiments without losing the guests' interest.

Speeches should include a congratulations to the couple and an expression of happiness at witnessing their marriage. The speaker should introduce themselves and their relationship to the couple, and address both partners equally. It's important to keep the speech clean and avoid any stories that might embarrass the couple or their families.

Examples of What to Say

"To the bride and groom, may the roof above you never fall in, and may you both never fall out."

"May your joys be as deep as the ocean, and your troubles as light as its foam."

"Here's to the past, for all that you've learnt. Here's to the present, for all that you share. Here's to the future, for all that you've got to look forward to."

"May your love last forever, and be longer than the last sunset."

"I wish thee health, I wish thee wealth, I wish thee gold in store, I wish thee heaven upon earth. What could I wish thee more?"

The first dance

The dance style will depend on the song and the couple's skill level. "The Sway" is a popular choice for couples who want to spend little to no time preparing, while "The Slow Dance" (or Nightclub Two Step) is a more formal version of "The Sway", with a certain "hold" and some side steps and pivots. The Waltz, Foxtrot, and Swing are also popular choices, but these require more choreography and preparation. For a sensual vibe, the Rumba is a good choice, while Salsa and Mambo are more fast-paced and playful. For a modern twist, a Hip-Hop routine is a fun way to get the party started.

Some couples opt for an original choreographed dance, while others prefer to wing it. Either way, the first dance is a memorable moment that sets the tone for the rest of the reception.

The cake cutting

The cake-cutting ceremony is a symbolic detail of the wedding reception. The tradition of cutting the cake dates back to the ancient Romans, who broke bread over the bride's head. Nowadays, the cake-cutting ceremony symbolises the couple's first joint task as newlyweds, with one partner placing their hand over the other's while cutting the first slice. This act symbolises their promise to support each other.

The cake-cutting ceremony usually takes place shortly after dinner, signalling to older guests or guests with children that they can start heading home. It also gives the couple an opportunity to take photographs and thank their guests for coming.

The cake-cutting process begins with the couple positioning themselves with one partner standing closest to the cake, holding the knife with their dominant hand, and the other partner standing behind, placing their hand on top. The couple then cuts an inch into the bottom tier of the cake, avoiding a sawing motion to prevent the cake from crumbling. They can then make a connecting cut to create a wedge, or two diagonal cuts to create a wedge-shaped piece. The couple then places the piece of cake on a plate, and they may choose to feed each other or smash the cake into each other's faces.

After the initial piece is cut, the catering staff will take over and bring the cake back to the kitchen to slice for the rest of the guests. The couple may also choose to save the top tier of the cake to eat on their first anniversary.

Frequently asked questions