Planning A Wedding Reception
Author: Caroline Silverstone

Nothing is quite as fun or as stressful as planning a really
big party, and your wedding reception is one of the biggest
parties that you will ever have. One of the concepts that most
people bring into their wedding day is that the ceremony is for
the bride and groom (although all are invited and encouraged to
bear witness) but it is the reception that is going to stand out
in the minds of the guests. With this in mind, it is clear why
it is important to have a good idea when it comes to what goes
into a wedding reception, who takes care of what, and all the
basic elements.

Who pays?

One common misconceptions when it comes to traditional wedding
ideas is that the father of the bride foots the bill for the
whole day. In fact, the father of the bride traditionally only
paid for the reception, and thus he was considered the host of
the event.

Today, there are any number of options when it comes to
payments. Couples may pay for their receptions themselves, the
father or parents of the bride may pay, or the parents of the
groom may pay. Of course, any combination of these is also a
possibility. Still, more often than not it will end up being the
bride's dad who pays for the reception; just make sure that if
you are doing it for tradition, that you are clear what the
tradition really is!

Elements of the Reception

Depending on budget and time, there are several elements that
are incorporated into wedding receptions. This checklist offers
a general order, as well as some suggestions as to which
vendor's services are required.

Arrival of the Bride and Groom. This aspect is usually
announced by the Master of Ceremonies, although the father of
the bride may wish to do so if he is hosting the event. Guests
will often begin arriving half an hour or so early, so it is
important that they have some refreshments waiting for them.
This may include some bottles of wine on the tables, a bar with
a bartender, or a combination.

The Meal. Without exception, a wedding reception will include a
meal. The meal is the responsibility of the caterer; if you use
a professional company, then they will likely also provide you
with your wine and champagne needs for the night. The Master of
Ceremonies announces that dinner is about to be served and then
calls each table up, beginning with the head table.

Program. Most wedding receptions will include a program when
the meal concludes, before the cake is eaten. This program might
incorporate an open mike, special music, and other
presentations. The end of the program is signaled by the toasts.
The toast to the bride is the most important of these, but there
can also be toasts to the groom and the other members of the
wedding party as well. Generally the wine at the tables is gone
at this point, and the guests will toast with some champagne or
more wine supplied from the bar.

Cake. The conclusion of the program means it is time to cut the
cake! Many couples are adding dessert wines to their cake eating
as a way to complement the experience.

Dance. Many people remember the dance as the most spectacular
part of the wedding day. Whether you choose a live band or a DJ,
the dance music should be suited to your own tastes. It's a
party atmosphere, and the drinks and the good will flow freely!

A wedding reception is what will truly mark your day apart from
all others. The wedding reception should be planned to reflect
the personalities of the couple in all aspects, from the meal to
the drinks to the program and the dancing.


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