All About Reception
Traditions
By Jeanette Hawkinson
Traditions
can be used as a guide for helping you plan
your wedding reception. Use these to create
the event of your dreams.
Photo
display of events
Use a bulletin board at the
entrance of the reception to highlight your
childhood and courtship.
Bridal
portrait display
This can usually be found on an easel, or framed
and sitting on the table with the guest book.
Receiving
line
Mother of the bride first, then mother of the
groom, then father of the groom, then father
of the bride (if he does not choose to circulation
as host), then the bride, then groom, then maid/matron
of honor, then bridesmaids, if you wish.
Toasting
Traditionall done first by the
best man for the couple, then by the groom for
his bride, then by anyone else. Newer styles
start with best man and also include maid or
matron of honor.
The
first dance
This is reserved for the newlyweds alone.
Other
dances
The bride with her father; then, the groom with
his mother-in-law, and the bride’s father
with the groom’s mother. Then guests join
in.
Cutting
the cake
The bride and groom, his hand over hers, cut
the first slice of wedding cake. She takes the
first bite, and then feeds him the second. The
caterer cuts the balance to be served to guests.
Tossing
the bouquet
All single women get together behind the bride
as she tosses her bouquet over her shoulder
(This may be done right after the cake cutting
or toward the end of the reception before the
couple leaves.).
Tossing
the garter
The groom removes the garter from the bride’s
leg and tosses it over his shoulder to all unmarried
men (The bachelor who catches it may then put
it on the leg of the woman who caught the bride’s
bouquet.).
Taking
leave
If you are merely going upstairs to a hotel
suite, your leaving signals the end of the reception;
if you are going away, then the two of you will
sneak off to change clothes, and reappear to
bid a final good-bye in a shower of good wishes
often accompanied by rice, bird seed, rose petals,
bubbles, or balloons.
Reception
favors
Mementos for guests to take home. These may
include special candy or groom’s cake,
inscribed glasses, plants, menus, framed photographs,
scrolls, personalized napkins, or even disposable
cameras. The options here are unlimited. Just
use your imagination and let the ideas start
flowing.
Read
more about Wedding Receptions
Research
Kansas City Reception Sites
