Wedding Reception Tips

The reception is a fun time to just kick back, have some fun, and not have to worry about scheduled photos anymore. You would be surprised how many people while wedding planning don’t know the order or the different components of the wedding reception! Here are the most common components of a reception and some tips/advice for each of them. 

Introduction:

The DJ/MC will introduce the bridal party and they will do a big entrance. My biggest advice here is to walk slowly and not run so there are lots of time for photos. Also, if the room is cramped, think about the route from the doors to the table so that everyone goes the same way.

Cake cutting:

Some people cut the cake immediately upon entering, so people wait until after dinner. When/if you cut the cake is up to you! Some people don’t even do this tradition anymore, although it can be a fun one! 

Cutting the cake with two people is surprisingly difficult, so make sure the knife, fork, plate, and napkin are laid out. Cut out of the bottom tier of the cake, and just make a small triangular cut. This is more for ceremony than for cutting an actual slice of cake, so a small piece is good. Once you feed each other cake, this is generally when we pour the champagne and you toast each other.

Toasts/speeches:

After everyone is fed, the toasts are generally the first formal activity. Have the speakers hold off on the alcohol until their speech is completed- you would be surprised how many times people get drunk and really embarrass themselves/ others. Most weddings have 2-4 speeches, and I would really suggest no more than 4. As nice and meaningful as the speeches generally are, keeping them on the shorter side is good. I would recommend 5 minutes max. If you know someone wants to give a speech and they are particularly long winded, have them speak at the rehearsal dinner. At the wedding reception usually people want to get to the dance floor quickly and no one wants to sit for an hour and listen to speeches. 

First Dances:

The order generally goes: the newly married couple, daddy/daughter, mom/son. Of course this is your wedding so if you prefer a different coupling or want to forgo with the dances all together, you can. Some people have begun to incorporate the anniversary dance immediately following the mom/son dance as a means to get people out on the dance floor. I have no advice here other than to just enjoy the moment and soak it all in.

Open Dance:

Once all the formal dances are done, the dance floor opens and the party begins. At this point I will just be taking photos of fun dancing as it happens. This is the part of the night where if you or your family members have any other photo requisition, we take them. So if you want a sorority photo or if your mom’s high school friend group is there, or if there are any other ‘groups’ you want photos of, we can do them right there on the dance floor. Otherwise, drink up and cha cha slide the night away.

If there is an exit we will line everyone up and organize that. But otherwise about 15 minutes before the end of the night I will ask the couple if there are any other photos that we missed, and if they answer is no we will say goodbye and part ways. And that is the conclusion of photos for your wedding day!!!!

There are other traditions but those are the main ones people do on wedding days!