The wedding reception is the party held after the completion of the wedding ceremony. In Western society this is usually split into two sections, the main formal sit down meal and then the evening disco.

The main meal is traditionally held as hospitality for those who attended the wedding and can last for hours. Before the meal begins is the time when the majority of wedding photographs are taken in the grounds or the reception hall with the bride and groom as well as the guests. Usually everyone will have been given a drink on arrival to be going on with. Then everyone will take their places ready for the food to be served. The seating plans are a separate issue in so much that everyone has someone that cannot be next to someone else for fear of trouble. This is a personal choice as only the wedding families know who to sit where.

The top table is an exception though as there is some tradition although with more couples having step parents this can get rather complex. As a general guide moving from left to right the order would be:

Chief Bridesmaid –
Father of the Groom –
Mother of the Bride –
Groom –
Bride –
Father of the Bride –
Mother of the Groom –
Best Man –

Once everyone is seated, comes the food, which is usually plated and from 3 courses upward depending on how lavish the couple want the wedding to be and of course their budget.

Once everyone has finished the speeches/toasts usually begin, these are wishing the bride and groom well in the future life and usually from the brides father and the best man. In western society the Best Mans speech has become a tense moment for newly married couples as they have a tendency to slip in a few good natured jokes at the couples expense (well more likely the grooms).

At this point there is a lull so to speak where people generally socialise and relax with drinks in preparation for the evening party (should there be one) or if going straight through it will be time for the First Dance, traditionally known as the 'Bridal Waltz'. In most cases this is a romantic love song that the couple choose and is not usually a waltz. Some of the first dances songs can be found by clicking on First Dance Songs. Once the bride and groom have started the dancing the guests then join in and the party starts.

Evening Receptions usually involve more guests arriving; those who did not attend the actual wedding ceremony usually not close friends and family. The bride and groom will normally meet them and receive wedding gifts. Then everyone back to the dancing until a Buffet is open with a variety of food for everyone to have.

At some point during either reception the wedding cake is cut, this is traditionally a joint effort by the bride and groom who eat the first piece and then sliced for all the guests. Some people choose to eat it there and others choose to have it wrapped to be taken home by the guests. There is no right or wrong it is personal choice - it is your wedding day. In some countries one of the tiers is kept as a christening cake for the first born.

The party goes on and the bride (if she has not done after the initial reception) may choose a point at the evening disco to through the bouquet, all the single females gather with the hope of catching it as this is a sign that the one that does will be the next to marry.

Depending on the bride and grooms honeymoon plan they may or may not stay to the end. If they are leaving early then they will change into their going away outfits and leave in a decorated car (usually the best man has had a hand in this!) whilst being waved off by all their guests.

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