The wedding
reception is the first time you formally receive your
relatives and friends as a married couple. Properly planned,
it becomes one of the most joyous parties you and your
groom will ever host. It can be as simple and demure as
cake and punch in the church parlor, or encompass a glorious
five-course dinner and dance.
Selecting the reception location really depends on how
many people you are inviting. Your reception can be staged
nearly anywhere. The church may have a suitable room,
or you may want to rent a meeting hall or room at a nearby
hotel, restaurant or club. If you're being married in
a season and locale noted for good reliable weather, there
may be a lovely garden or arboretum available. Also check
out some of the restored historical mansions; they make
delightful fairy-tale backdrops. Whatever you decide,
the services of a professional banquet facility or caterer
can greatly enhance and expedite the planning of your
reception. Once you've decided the type of setting you
would prefer, the estimated number of guests and your
budget, you're ready to begin interviewing reception sites
and caterers.
Reserve your reception spot well in advance, and promptly
pay any necessary deposit. If the guest list is small,
consider a sit-down meal. Larger parties may be better
served buffet-style. Visit the reception site and map
out how you'd like it set up. Plan to arrange the receiving
line where guests enter the room. Decide also whether
your receiving line will be formal or semi-formal. If
you will be offering liquor to your reception guests,
station the bar well away from the buffet or food service
area so there won't be any congestion.
There should always be one table designated for the wedding
party and one table for the parents. Seating arrangements
at the bride's table are as follows: bridal couple in
the center; maid of honor at the groom's left; best man
at the bride's right. Seat the other attendants, alternating
men and women, as space provides.
At a sit-down event, the order of service should be bride,
groom, maid of honor, other attendants, parents and guests.
Once all have been served, the best man presents the traditional
toast to the bridal couple. Cake-cutting comes after dinner.
The bridal couple cuts the first slice and shares it.
The caterer's staff finishes serving while the newlyweds
visit with guests.
The last reception ritual, before the bridal couple leave,
is the bride's tossing of her bouquet and the groom's
flinging of the garter. Finally, you and your groom will
leave the reception for your honeymoon, no doubt followed
by rice raining down upon you and your car or limousine,
bringing with it wishes for fertility, prosperity and
happiness.
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