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The ReceptionThe
ceremony is over, you are now hopefully arriving at your reception just ahead of your
guest so that you can greet them as they arrive.
Greetings
Some couples like the idea of greeting there guest as the arrive where as others feel that
it is a bit to formal and greeting 100 plus guest can be a bit time consuming. However
should you decide to greet your guest here is a general order for the line.
 |
The Bride's Mother |
|
The Groom's Father |
|
The Groom's Mother |
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The Bride's Father |
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The Bride |
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The Groom |
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The Chief Bridesmaid |
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The Best Man |
The logic behind separating the parents in such away is that they can
introduce the guest to the other parent. For example: Uncle John (Groom's side) can be
introduced to the Bride's mother by the Groom's father , then by the Groom's mother to the
Bride's Father and so on.
Alternatively you can have as short a line as you wish.
Seating ArrangementsHave a chat with the venue to see how they normally
lay out for a wedding, they will know what works best for that particular room and style
of table. The usual lay out is a Top table then a selection of Guest tables, a cake table
and a Gift table for those guest that bought there gifts along.
The Top Table is usually a long rectangular table which give the best
view of the wedding party, the guest tables if possible should be round, this will help
your guest to feel more comfortable. The guest table are arranged so that direct family
members are seated close to the top table with other family and friends further away. If
you do not have round tables for the guests the formal seating arrangement are that a
husband sits across from his wife and it is customary to alternate male and female guests.
Always try to leave children with there parents and seat groups of people that know each
other together this will make them feel at ease, you may like to group them by there age
groups.
The Top Table
This should be straightforward! Relationships however are never
as straightforward as we would ideally like them to be.What happens if one of the parents
has divorced,
remarried, both parents hate each other....the list goes on. Here are a few examples of
the seating arrangements you can have.
The Traditional Wedding Reception Seating Plan
Chief
Bridesmaid |
Groom's
Father |
Bride's
Mother |
Groom |
Bride |
Bride's
Father |
Groom's
Mother |
Best Man |
| Top
Table |
Bride's parents divorced and remarried
Bride's
Stepfather |
Chief
Bridesmaid |
Groom's
Father |
Bride's
Mother |
Groom |
Bride |
Bride's
Father |
Groom's
Mother |
Best
Man |
Bride's
Stepmother |
| Top Table |
Groom's parents divorced and remarried
Best
Man |
Groom's
Stepmother |
Groom's
Father |
Bride's
Mother |
Groom |
Bride |
Bride's
Father |
Groom's
Mother |
Groom's
Stepfather |
Chief
Bridesmaid |
| Top Table |
Both parents divorced and remarried
Groom's
Step-
mother |
Bride's
Step-
father |
Chief
Bridesmaid |
Groom's
Father |
Bride's
Mother |
Groom |
Bride |
Bride's
Father |
Groom's
Mother |
Bride's
Step-
mother |
Groom's
Step-
father |
| Top
Table |
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As for the guests, placecards should be used to make sure everyone is
where they should be and the placecards should be in keeping with the invitation sent out.
Some may not wish to be as formal as this and decide to have a stand up buffet,
with the wedding party moving around, greeting the guest as the reception goes on
This is ideal if space is limited or if you decided to have a marquee. Remember to have
some chairs and tables for those who prefer to sit or have difficulty
standing for a long time.
Bridal Favours and Gifts
Many brides like to give their guests a little keepsake to remember the day.
There is a variety of choices such as little chocolates or sugared almonds, boxes personalised with names and the date of your wedding on it or little gifts such as miniature china brides and grooms. These are obviously not expected, however they do not have to cost that much and can brighten up the table layout at the reception.
A balloon display at your reception can really brighten a room up. They come in different sizes, colours, metallic, non-metallic and they can also have your names and the date of your wedding printed on. Your can use them as table decorations, an archway of balloons over the top table, or you could just have a few to give to any children that might be attending your reception.
Most brides and grooms like to give gifts to certain guests after the speeches. The best man would normally get a gift for organising the groom and the guests on the day, as would the bridesmaids and possibly the ushers.
It is sometimes appropriate to give a gift to both sets of parents which could be either flowers or something they could keep to remind them of the day such as an ornament or a picture.
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