PLANNING YOUR
WEDDING RECEPTION

This section of our website divides the planning of your reception into six major areas: 1. The beginning of the reception, 2. Events surrounding the meal, 3. Ceremonial dances, 4. The dance music portion of the reception, 5. Other formal events that can be included, and 6. The ending of the reception.

Within each of these areas you will find links to sections that address the formal events that typically make up these areas. For instance, in the Ceremonial Dances area you will find sections that address the First Dance, Parent Dances, and the Wedding Party Dance. Within each section you will find questions that you need to consider when planning that particular event or stage of the reception. For example, when thinking about your First Dance you’ll want to answer these important questions: 1. Do you want to do a first dance? 2. When do you want to do your first dance? 3. What song should you choose for your first dance? and 4. How can you modify the first dance to make it different?

For each of these events, we will get very specific in giving you both traditional and non-traditional ideas on how to answer these questions in a manner that is best suited to you and the type of reception you are looking for. In addition, we will tell you how most of our couples chose to answer those questions. Think about the questions, and your answer for each of them. When you’ve answered all the questions, your reception will be planned!

1. BEGINNINGS
A. Cocktail Hour
B. Wedding Party’s Announcement Into Reception Area

2. THE MEAL 
A. The Blessing 
B. The Toast 
C. Meal Music
D. The Kiss 

3. CEREMONIAL DANCES 
A. First Dance 
B. Parents’ Dances
C. Wedding Party Dance
 
4. DANCING!
A. Dance Music

5. OTHER EVENTS 
A. Receiving Line 
B. Cake Cutting  
C. Giving Away The Centerpieces 
D. The Bouquet And Garter 
E. Other Possibilities

6. ENDINGS
A. Last Dance