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- Wedding Ideas & Advice for the Couple, Wedding Party and Guests
Wedding Reception Etiquette: What is expected of you.
| When it comes to pomp and circumstance, not to mention decorum, a wedding reception is unlike any other affair. If you’ve never been to one, you may wonder exactly what is expected of you. And, if you’ve been to dozens, you may still have etiquette questions. To help first-timers, and anyone who needs some help navigating traditions, we’ve compiled a list of ten basic wedding traditions you are sure to encounter. |
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Receiving Line: After the ceremony, the bride and groom will stand with their families in a receiving line. In the event you do not know a member of the bridal party, you should introduce yourself to that person. Say your congratulations, and then move quickly down the line, especially if it’s long. You will be able to catch up with the couple and their families on the dance floor later. |
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Cocktail Hour: After the receiving line, you will head to the area where the cocktail hour is being held, if there is one. If the receiving line was held in the church or synagogue, you should now move on to the reception site. |
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Guest Book: The cocktail hour is a great time to sign the guest book. Look for it on a table in the room, or check near the cake table when you get into the reception. Sometimes a bridesmaid or friend will circulate it. |
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Seating for the Meal: After the cocktail hour, you will prepare to take your seats for the main event. Usually the banquet manager or waiters will approach guests and ask them to make their way into the reception room. At a seated luncheon or dinner, guests should proceed to the table indicated on their place card, which they picked up when they entered the wedding (or when they entered the reception site if the ceremony was held elsewhere). If the celebration is buffet service with unspecified seats, guests may proceed to the buffet line, then choose their seats. Often in this case, one table will still be reserved for the bride and groom and their families. At a tea or cocktail reception, guests may serve themselves and continue to circulate |
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Dancing: At most weddings, either the bride’s father, a member of the wedding party, or the bandleader will introduce the newlywed couple for their first dance. After the bride and groom dance with each other for a few minutes, their parents join them on the dance floor, followed by the wedding party and then all guests. The bandleader will ask guests to take a seat when the food is served. |
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Toasts: After the wedding party takes their places at the head table, the best man will make the first toast, followed by a "thank you" toast from the groom, and often the bride. Then other relatives and friends (probably the couple’s parents first) may stand to make a good-natured toast to the couple. You should rise and drink to every toast, although feel free to fill your glass with your beverage of choice. |
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Participation: The party’s successful if the guests have a great time, so don’t be afraid to have a blast. Talk to all of the people at your table, and introduce yourself if necessary. Get out on the dance floor, especially for ethic dances such as a Jewish Hora, or group dances, such as a Conga line. |
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Other Traditions: Clear the floor for the cake-cutting ceremony and for special dances, such as the bride and her father (although you can usually join in halfway through). If you’re single and female, line up with the girls and try to catch the bride’s bouquet. |
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Leaving: Wedding receptions have no specified length, although four hours is about average. Traditionally, guests remain until the bride and groom leave the reception. Today, however, since most brides and grooms stay until the party ends, it is acceptable to depart any time after the cutting of the cake. (It is considered bad luck if a guest does not have at least a taste of the wedding cake). Eventually, the wedding hosts will signal the end of the reception by ending the music, and a last dance will be played |
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Thanking the Hosts: Before leaving, find a member of the bride’s immediate family and thank him or her. If you can’t find a host to personally thank, send a short note in writing the next day. |
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Ideas & Advice Archives for the Couple
Ideas & Advice Archives for the Wedding Party
Ideas & Advice Archives for the Guests
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