WEDDING RECEPTION ETIQUETTE
Etiquette became etiquette so that everyone knew what to do and by sticking to a standard form this helps.
Up until around 50 years ago most wedding receptions took place at the brides home because they lived with their parents.
Nowadays they are held anywhere.
Traditionally there are 2 types of reception
1) The Wedding Breakfast - sit down meal with top table
or
2) The Stand - Up with canapes type which more often follow early services
Many brides like to continue their celebrations into the early hours, although this can seem like a great idea
it can cause etiquette problems.
DO guests dress for evening or ceremony?
DO your guests want to stay all day?
You may find they disappear at 6pm never to return!
One way round this is to issue two seperate invitiations this allow extra guests to be invited later on.
The reception traditionally starts with a receiving line made up of brides parents, grooms parent, bride and groom ,
best man and chieff bridesmaid.
At the top table usually you will find chief bridesmaid, grooms father, brides mother, the groom, the bride, the brides father,
the grooms mother and the best man in that order.
The modern use of round tables prevents no obvious top table from being formed.
Cutting the Cake, performed after the speeches. Traditionally fruit cake is used and the top layer saved for the first childs Christening.
Finally, don't forget to invite the vicar and his wife, and it is good manners to send invitations to the grooms family, the best man and the chief bridesmaid.