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Wedding Reception:Your reception should
be planned as part of the total style of your wedding. It should be the culmination
of the day when everyone lets their hair down and truly relaxes - lets face it,
your guests came to PARTY. You can be as formal or informal as you like, be traditional
or not but at least plan what you will do and what you won't do well in advance.  The
Receiving Line. This can involve just the bride and groom and their families,
or the entire wedding party. Or not at all - you may want to be introduced and
walk straight to the head table. Many brides and grooms are now choosing to have
drinks and nibbles before the reception with their guests and the formality is
no longer a formality.
The
Guest Book, is a fabulous momento of your wedding that everyone can sign. Tables
assigned with seating place cards, or casual seating. Place
Cards: The names of each guest, usually in calligraphy. ( have your guest turn
the cards inwards once they are setted, then others can be reminded of their name
) Drinks
for Toasts, - Welcome by the MC - Close family
friend or even the DJ at some weddings
- The best man makes the first toast
and everyone (except the bride and groom) rises and drinks to them.
- Glasses
for the toast should be filled in this order: bride, groom, and then attendants
starting with the maid of honor.
- Toast to the Bride and Groom - Bride's
father or close family friend or relative
- The groom should toast his bride
and then his new parents-in-law.
- Response and toast to the Bridesmaids
- Groom
- Response on behalf of the Bridesmaids - Best Man
- Toast to
parents of the Bride - Family friend
- Response - Bride's father
- Toast
to parents of the Groom - Family friend
- Response - Groom's father
- Reading of Telegrams - Best Man or Groomsmen
- Anyone else Speeches,
This can be as long or as short as you like. Music
for eating, You should prepare music that allows for conversation over dinner,
something light and in the background, there is nothing worse then not being able
to hear across the table. Reception
Menu, You may want two or more choices for the main course plus at least one vegetarian
dish (normally the reception venue will ask you how many V meals you require),
depending on the dietary needs of your guests. Music
for dancing. Your wedding should reflect your tastes. The bride and groom have
the first dance to a song they've selected as their own. Mingle
Mingle - your guests have come to share the day with you and get to know your
partner. Cutting
of the Wedding Cake. The bride and groom cut two slices. The groom then feeds
the bride the first slice. She then feeds him the remaining slice. The
Bouquet Toss thrown to the group single women. The
Garter Toss is thrown to the group of men. Sometimes replaced by the tossing of
the groom's boutonnieres. Your
going-away clothes should be packed and ready to go and in the transport. Family
Good-bye , normally everyone gathers at the dance floor in a circle A
quick exit is a good exit. | 
