Thereception, orweddingbreakfastasitwasoncecalled, , onlyclosefamilymembersormembersofthechurchattended, unliketodaywhereeveryoneinvitedtotheceremonynormallyattendsthereception.
Today, thenormalformatforthereceptionwouldbedrinksonarrivalfollowedbyameal, speeches, , -downmealwithunlimiteddrinks.
■TheGuestList
Youwon’’, , (perhapsex-girl-friends/ex-boyfriends, etc.).Ifparentsarepaying, .
Justkeepitinmind: itisyourweddingday, andultimatelyyoudecidethenamesandnumbersthatwillappearonthefinalguestlist.
■ReceivingGuests
Havinglefttheceremonybeforeeveryoneelse, thebrideandgroomwillhopefullybefirsttoarriveatthereception, (usuallythebride’sparents) standatthefrontoftheline, andusherswouldintroduceeachguestbynametobride’smother (it’sagoodideatohaveausherforeachfamily).Thegroom’sparentswouldbethenextinline, , , itisnotunusualforthebrideandgroomtowelcomegueststhemselves.
■SeatingPlan
, numbersontablesandhand-writtenplacecards (inthestyleoftheinvitation) , itisagoodideatohaveafewextraplacesavailableforunexpectedguests.
, ’ interestsandages.
.
■TheTopTable
, divorcedparents, , itisadvisabletoadoptanalternativeseatingarrangementinordertosatisfyallparties.
Traditionalseatingplan:
Oneofalternativeplans:
■CuttingtheCake
Traditionally, thecakeiscutafterthespeechesandtoasts, , inorderforthebridetobearchildren, she (withthehelpofhergroom) ’, , hencethereasonforsendingaslicetoallthosewhowereunabletoattendthewedding.
■Entertainment
Speechesandthenewlyweds’ , itiscommontohaveaveryinformaleveningparty, , , ’, , itisconsideredrudetoleavethepartybeforethebrideandgroom.
■DepartureoftheBride & Groom
Thebestmanandthecouple’, balloonsandcrazyfoamwithoutthecouple’, , itisrecommendedthecouplehaveastrategicallyplacedsecondcarafewmilesuptheroad, inwhichtheywouldcontinuetheirjourney.
