bridal table at wedding reception

What Do You Do At A Wedding Reception?

You can consider the reception to be the first part of the festivities. Like a fingerprint or a snowflake, no two wedding parties are ever the same. On the other hand, the following occurrences are often intertwined. Anyone who has attended a wedding before can usually skip this step. After this point, only wedding novices need apply.

Is your goal to throw a wedding celebration that everyone will talk about for years to come? Some newlyweds prefer to get the party started at the reception with games, ice-breakers, and other immersive content, such as classic lawn games, bride and groom trivia, a picture treasure hunt, a very well photo booth, and lots of activities to interest the youngsters, in addition to the wonderful feast, flowing drinks, and killer wedding playlist.

Such events are most suited for outdoor weddings with plenty of room for guests to mingle and participate, but venues with less open area can still host memorable celebrations. Feel free to incorporate some wedding day games if you think it would be enjoyable.

A wedding is guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But what follows the ceremony itself? It was quite the welcome! The responsibility for maintaining order at a wedding typically falls on the shoulders of the wedding planner, the master of ceremonies, or the manager of the venue. That's why it's crucial that you give them a wedding reception schedule. Check out Vogue Ballroom Wedding Venue for your ultimate wedding reception.

Questions For Your Reception Or Party To Ensure A Seamless And Enjoyable Evening.

Guests Transition From The Ceremony To The Cocktail Hour.

While guests are still mingling after the ceremony, it is the ideal time to take official family pictures and images of the happy couple. It's still a great time for guests to mingle and snack on appetisers before the reception even if the wedding couple aren't able to make it.

Formal photos of the newlyweds, their families, and the bridal party are taken soon after the ceremony concludes. The remaining guests are left in an uncomfortable limbo between the ceremony and the reception, with nothing to do but hang around and look awkward. The answer: ply them with alcoholic beverages. This led to the creation of the cocktail hour.

The Reception Hall Is Filled With Guests

The happy couple, accompanied by their friends and family, enters the reception hall. The couple are introduced to their guests for the first time as husband and wife. You'll feel like you're in a beauty pageant or a 1960s TV show during this part of the wedding preparation process.

When it's time to kick off the festivities, the wedding planner and DJ/MC will take care of seating everyone. After any necessary announcements are made, guests will be welcomed and seated. It is important to factor in the expected number of guests when planning the start time of the reception's guest admissions.

Wedding Party Entrances 

This is where the DJ/MC will make the announcements for the wedding party and family members to arrive. It's great fun to enter the reception hall with a hilarious dance or other movement that gets the guests excited for the wedding couple's entrance.

Party to Welcome the Newlyweds

Your public debut as a married pair is cause for joyous celebration. Rehearse a dance number to your most played club tune. Plan the arrival of the newlyweds to the wedding reception to occur before that of any other members of the wedding party so that you can enjoy some time as the centre of attention.

First Dance 

The spotlight will be on you and your new husband as you take to the dance floor for your first dance as married couple after the ceremony. If you and your special someone have been working on a dance routine or a calm, romantic moment to a song with special meaning, now is the time to show it off.

Your first dance as husband and wife may be a stressful experience if the song lasts the full three minutes and everyone in the room is staring at you the whole time. You'll miss out on a truly amazing moment if you don't give your full attention to your new spouse and ignore everyone else around you. Vogue Ballroom is Melbourne's premier wedding venue, where dreams come true for the happy couple.

Greetings and Remarks | 5-10 Min.

Sitting down at the head table with your longtime sweetheart, you realise it's time to thank everyone who has helped make this day possible. The couple themselves or the bride's parents can do this responsibility. In many societies, it is customary to start the meal with a blessing from a close relative.

Wedding Reception Ideas Melbourne

Dinner Has Been Served. | 1 Hour

As the host, you should eat first and savour the wedding meal you helped prepare. Before returning to your seat for the toasts, feel free to circulate the room and say hi to everyone. At the wedding reception, this is the finest time to mingle with guests if you haven't previously done so. If you want to meet and greet guests and pose for pictures with them after dinner, you should give yourself at least three minutes at each table.

By now, your visitors are probably wondering, "Hey, where's the food?" It's up to you to decide whether to host an elegant sit-down meal for a select group of friends, a relaxed family lunch, or a catered Chipotle buffet.

Wedding Party Toasts | 30 Min.

It is best to review the toasts when everyone is still seated and close to the end of their meal. It is customary for the Best Man and Maid of Honour to propose a toast first, followed by other invited guests. If the newlyweds have not already done so before the reception lunch, they still have time to express their gratitude to their guests for helping to make their special day so memorable before the reception party begins.

After toasts from the Best Man and Maid of Honour, the newlyweds, their parents, and any other speakers are introduced. Not everyone at a gathering, however, is capable of delivering a worthy toast. However, you need not worry; we will make every effort to guarantee the resounding success of your venture.

Family Dance at the Wedding| 15 Min.

It's customary to kick off the dancing portion of your reception with the mother-son and father-daughter dances. A group portrait on the dance floor is in order now that the final family dance has ended. Even before the music starts playing, the mood is established for a lively celebration, prompting guests to get up and dance.

Make The Dance Floor Available | 30-45 Min.

You should put on your dancing shoes and go out tonight. Playing an exciting song to kick off a power dance session is a surefire way to get everyone in the spirit to move. The garter and bouquet toss, along with any other exciting moments you have planned for the reception, should take place between dramatic musical crescendos and calming interludes.

Always remember that no one will start the party until you do. After the first dance, it's up to the newlyweds, their attendants, and the male members of the wedding party to get the party started. The moment the first song starts playing, everyone at your wedding should start dancing. The task of persuading them should be rather simple.

Dessert & Cake Cutting | 30 Min.

Have the cake cut around an hour before your big exit or the end of the celebration if you want your visitors to know it's time to say farewell. Play some tracks at a moderate tempo on the DJ's set after the cake has been served so that visitors may relax and enjoy their dessert without being interrupted by upbeat music. If you want to show your guests how much you appreciate them, you can do so with a small gift served with dessert.

About an hour before the party is over, when people are starting to become hungry and tired of dancing, is the ideal time to serve the cake.

Wedding Reception Photo Op| 20-30 Min.

The newlyweds have some time to themselves between the end of the reception and the start of the first dance, so they can sneak off for a romantic nighttime session. Time to meet with the wedding photographer and map out the evening's events. They will stay into the night to record the breathtaking climax to your perfect wedding day. Do come back for the last dance, though!

Keep The Party Going | 30-40 Min.

When the sugar rush from dessert finally wears off, the party must go on! The last dance and the evening photo session might be timed to coincide if you plan ahead for your wedding party. Make sure everyone knows that this is the last song of the night by having the DJ make an announcement. Decide on a high-energy, top-40 hit that will get everyone moving and eager to call it a night.

Grand Farewell | 10-15 Min.

Get everyone to follow the DJ/MC outside after the last dance so you can all pile into your getaway automobile in one fell swoop. After that, your honeymoon can last as long as you like.

You should exit on as high a note as you entered. Send you and your guests off with a bang by having them wave glitter, bubbles, beach balls, rose petals, or even a sweet vintage vehicle. Possibilities for amusing snapshots are endless.

This Step-By-Step Guide Will Help You Organise The Ideal Wedding Celebration That Your Guests Will Never Forget.

melbourne wedding reception

The reception site search should come after the wedding date has been set. Seeking the Best Melbourne Wedding Reception Location? If you're trying to find a place like Vogue Ballroom, your search is over.

Some venues may be reserved up to one year in advance, so be prepared to choose an alternative date or explore for a different place if you don't find the perfect site for celebrating your marriage right away.

  • Planning a wedding in the winter can be easier and less expensive than in the summer or spring because of the greater availability of venues.
  • The majority of weddings take place on Saturdays, but if you're looking to save money, planning your big day on Sunday may be the better option.

Setting A Budget For Your Reception

You should start thinking about the total budget at the same time you decide on the date. Asking about any required attendance minimums at a potential venue is a must. The venue for the reception will require an approximate headcount in order to offer you an accurate quote.

Choosing The Main Components Of Your Reception

  • What kind of weather do you anticipate for your reception?
  • Plan for a backup indoor activity if it looks like rain is in the forecast for your outdoor event.
  • In what way would you like to be greeted?
  • The traditional sit-down dinner is always a good option for a reception, but you can also host a breakfast or brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. We've compiled some information to help you decide on the best kind of celebration to throw.
  • Will a receiving line be useful to you?
  • A receiving line is a great way to meet and greet all of your guests and hear their congratulations all at once. However, as this custom can take a lot of time, many modern couples opt to instead visit each table individually.
  • The bride's mother and father, the groom's mother and father, the bride and groom, the maid of honour, and the bridesmaids should form the receiving line.
  • Can we make a formal introduction as you attend the reception? If you're getting married, having the DJ or bandleader present you to everyone as a married couple might be a great way to kick off the night. You can have everyone line up on the dance floor to witness your first dance if you wish to skip the traditional introductions, which often involve both set of parents and the bridal party.
  • Can I assume there will be toasts?
  • Toasts are a great way to celebrate the happy couple and their guests, but they should be brief. The best time to make them is in between or during dinner courses, and limit yourself to two or three.
  • It is recommended that you ask toast givers to keep their remarks brief and somebody in your bridal party be in charge of keeping track of time.
  • Before cutting the cake, the groom and bride can offer a few words of thanks.
  • So when do we get to start dancing?
  • These days, rather than doing dance routines in between courses, they are typically performed after the meal has been served. It's important to play music that guests of all ages can like, so don't only limit yourself to your first dance song.
  • Can you describe the ideal picture?
  • Take advantage of the reception for any group shots you didn't get to snap earlier in the day with relatives and friends. If there are particular reception-related images that you want to make sure to get, be sure to mention them to your photographer.
  • Think about throwing the bouquet and garter.
  • Some couples prefer to forego this section of the reception, despite the fact that it is often a crowd-pleaser and a lot of fun for the guests.

Creating Seating Plans

When hosting a sit-down meal, it's best you begin planning the seating arrangement in advance to avoid feeling rushed.

  • Both the groom and bride and their guests can sit together at a smaller "sweetheart table," which is set up so that the couple faces their guest, or they can sit at a bigger table with the rest of the bridal party. Some modern couples, however, like to have the table in the middle of everyone.
  • A parent's table will typically consist of immediate family members and other close acquaintances.
  • Take into account the needs of the elderly and make sure they are not seated in an awkward location, such as too near to the speakers.
  • While using place cards is the most formal method of seating guests, it is also a fantastic alternative if you are worried about seating guests who may not get along with each other. A frequent alternative is to have them select their own place at the table after they have been given an escort card with only the names and table number.

Choosing A Meal For Your Wedding Reception

For many newlyweds and their guests, the reception's food is a highlight and something they'll talk about for years to come.

The menu must be chosen:

  • The menu-planning process can be enjoyable, and it's an opportunity to wow your guests with something unique, but it's important to keep in mind that certain guests may have dietary requirements and to talk to your caterer about accommodating those needs. It could be helpful to ask your guests ahead of time if they have any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
  • It is customary to have printed menus available at the table during a formal supper.
  • Determining in advance whether guests will be served from a buffet or from individual plates will ease the preparation process. Talk to the caterer about all of your options, including serving in a buffet or station fashion.

Conclusion

Questions For Your Reception Or Party To Ensure A Seamless And Enjoyable Evening. Some newlyweds prefer to get the party started at the reception with games, ice-breakers, and immersive content. The responsibility for maintaining order at a wedding typically falls on the shoulders of the wedding planner or the master of ceremonies. When it's time to kick off the festivities, the wedding planner and DJ/MC will take care of seating everyone. Plan the arrival of the newlyweds to the wedding reception to occur before that of any other members of the wedding party so that you can enjoy some time as the centre of attention.

At the wedding reception, this is the finest time to mingle with guests. Before returning to your seat for the toasts, feel free to circulate the room and say hi to everyone. It's customary to kick off the dancing portion of your reception with the mother-son and father-daughter dances. The moment the first song starts playing, everyone at your wedding should start dancing. The garter and bouquet toss should take place between dramatic musical crescendos and calming interludes.

If you want to show your guests how much you appreciate them, serve them a small gift served with dessert. The last dance and evening photo session might be timed to coincide if you plan ahead for your wedding party. Decide on a high-energy, top-40 hit that will get everyone moving and eager to call it a night. Send you and your guests off with a bang by having them wave glitter, bubbles, beach balls or rose petals. The traditional sit-down dinner is always a good option for a reception, but you can also host a breakfast or brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea.

A receiving line is a great way to meet and greet all of your guests at once. You can have everyone line up on the dance floor to witness your first dance if you wish to skip the traditional introductions. When hosting a sit-down meal, it's best you begin planning the seating arrangement in advance. Some couples prefer to forego this section of the reception, despite the fact that it is often a crowd-pleaser. For many newlyweds and their guests, the food is a highlight and something they'll talk about for years to come.

Content Summary

  • You can consider the reception to be the first part of the festivities.
  • A wedding is guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
  • The responsibility for maintaining order at a wedding typically falls on the shoulders of the wedding planner, the master of ceremonies, or the manager of the venue.
  • That's why it's crucial that you give them a wedding reception schedule.
  • Check out Vogue Ballroom Wedding Venue for your ultimate wedding reception.
  • While guests are still mingling after the ceremony, it is the ideal time to take official family pictures and images of the happy couple.
  • It's still a great time for guests to mingle and snack on appetisers before the reception even if the wedding couple aren't able to make it.
  • Formal photos of the newlyweds, their families, and the bridal party are taken soon after the ceremony concludes.
  • The remaining guests are left in an uncomfortable limbo between the ceremony and the reception, with nothing to do but hang around and look awkward.
  • The couple are introduced to their guests for the first time as husband and wife.
  • When it's time to kick off the festivities, the wedding planner and DJ/MC will take care of seating everyone.
  • It is important to factor in the expected number of guests when planning the start time of the reception's guest admissions.
  • This is where the DJ/MC will make the announcements for the wedding party and family members to arrive.
  • Your public debut as a married pair is cause for joyous celebration.
  • Rehearse a dance number to your most played club tune.
  • Plan the arrival of the newlyweds to the wedding reception to occur before that of any other members of the wedding party so that you can enjoy some time as the centre of attention.
  • The spotlight will be on you and your new husband as you take to the dance floor for your first dance as married couple after the ceremony.
  • Your first dance as husband and wife may be a stressful experience if the song lasts the full three minutes and everyone in the room is staring at you the whole time.
  • Before returning to your seat for the toasts, feel free to circulate the room and say hi to everyone.
  • At the wedding reception, this is the finest time to mingle with guests if you haven't previously done so.
  • If you want to meet and greet guests and pose for pictures with them after dinner, you should give yourself at least three minutes at each table.
  • It's up to you to decide whether to host an elegant sit-down meal for a select group of friends, a relaxed family lunch, or a catered Chipotle buffet.
  • It is best to review the toasts when everyone is still seated and close to the end of their meal.
  • It is customary for the Best Man and Maid of Honour to propose a toast first, followed by other invited guests.
  • If the newlyweds have not already done so before the reception lunch, they still have time to express their gratitude to their guests for helping to make their special day so memorable before the reception party begins.
  • After toasts from the Best Man and Maid of Honour, the newlyweds, their parents, and any other speakers are introduced.
  • It's customary to kick off the dancing portion of your reception with the mother-son and father-daughter dances.
  • A group portrait on the dance floor is in order now that the final family dance has ended.
  • Even before the music starts playing, the mood is established for a lively celebration, prompting guests to get up and dance.
  • You should put on your dancing shoes and go out tonight.
  • Playing an exciting song to kick off a power dance session is a surefire way to get everyone in the spirit to move.
  • After the first dance, it's up to the newlyweds, their attendants, and the male members of the wedding party to get the party started.
  • The moment the first song starts playing, everyone at your wedding should start dancing.
  • Have the cake cut around an hour before your big exit or the end of the celebration if you want your visitors to know it's time to say farewell.
  • If you want to show your guests how much you appreciate them, you can do so with a small gift served with dessert.
  • About an hour before the party is over, when people are starting to become hungry and tired of dancing, is the ideal time to serve the cake.
  • The newlyweds have some time to themselves between the end of the reception and the start of the first dance, so they can sneak off for a romantic nighttime session.
  • Time to meet with the wedding photographer and map out the evening's events.
  • They will stay into the night to record the breathtaking climax to your perfect wedding day.
  • The last dance and the evening photo session might be timed to coincide if you plan ahead for your wedding party.
  • Make sure everyone knows that this is the last song of the night by having the DJ make an announcement.
  • Get everyone to follow the DJ/MC outside after the last dance so you can all pile into your getaway automobile in one fell swoop.
  • After that, your honeymoon can last as long as you like.
  • The reception site search should come after the wedding date has been set.
  • Planning a wedding in the winter can be easier and less expensive than in the summer or spring because of the greater availability of venues.
  • The venue for the reception will require an approximate headcount in order to offer you an accurate quote.
  • Plan for a backup indoor activity if it looks like rain is in the forecast for your outdoor event.
  • The traditional sit-down dinner is always a good option for a reception, but you can also host a breakfast or brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea.
  • We've compiled some information to help you decide on the best kind of celebration to throw.
  • A receiving line is a great way to meet and greet all of your guests and hear their congratulations all at once.
  • The bride's mother and father, the groom's mother and father, the bride and groom, the maid of honour, and the bridesmaids should form the receiving line.
  • You can have everyone line up on the dance floor to witness your first dance if you wish to skip the traditional introductions, which often involve both set of parents and the bridal party.
  • Before cutting the cake, the groom and bride can offer a few words of thanks.
  • Take advantage of the reception for any group shots you didn't get to snap earlier in the day with relatives and friends.
  • If there are particular reception-related images that you want to make sure to get, be sure to mention them to your photographer.
  • Think about throwing the bouquet and garter.
  • Some couples prefer to forego this section of the reception, despite the fact that it is often a crowd-pleaser and a lot of fun for the guests.
  • When hosting a sit-down meal, it's best you begin planning the seating arrangement in advance to avoid feeling rushed.
  • Some modern couples, however, like to have the table in the middle of everyone.
  • Take into account the needs of the elderly and make sure they are not seated in an awkward location, such as too near to the speakers.
  • For many newlyweds and their guests, the reception's food is a highlight and something they'll talk about for years to come.
  • The menu must be chosen: The menu-planning process can be enjoyable, and it's an opportunity to wow your guests with something unique, but it's important to keep in mind that certain guests may have dietary requirements and to talk to your caterer about accommodating those needs.
  • It could be helpful to ask your guests ahead of time if they have any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
  • It is customary to have printed menus available at the table during a formal supper.
  • Determining in advance whether guests will be served from a buffet or from individual plates will ease the preparation process.

FAQs About Wedding Reception

Origins of the Reception A century ago, weddings were not nearly as lavish as they are now. In Western culture, until World War II, wedding celebrations were often held in the bride's home, and the family's financial standing controlled the reception style.

The Food Buffets are a Common Sight at Wedding Receptions, but Some Couples Opt to Have the Catering Staff Serve the Guests at Their Tables Instead of Having the Food Buffets at their Wedding Receptions. Meals served in three courses are common and typically consist of an appetiser, a main dish, and a dessert. After these dishes, cheese and biscuits are occasionally served as a later dessert option.

At this point in the reception, the bride and groom can also choose to participate in the bouquet toss and the garter toss, if they so desire. The newlyweds take their places at the cutting table as the DJ brings the tempo of the music down a notch. At this point, they also express gratitude to their visitors for making the trip.

During the ceremony, the bride will stand to the officiant's left (if you are looking towards the altar from where the guests are seated), and the groom will stand to the officiant's right. Both will have their backs on the guests.

A wedding reception often consists of a cocktail party that lasts one hour, followed by a reception that lasts four hours and is typically centred around dinner. However, there is still a good deal of leeway to make it your own, with the couple, the cultures involved, the location, and the number of guests all playing a part in how the evening progresses.

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