Wedding Reception Practices

Today, typical locations of wedding receptions include banquet halls, hotel ballrooms, social halls of churches, or wedding venues, community halls, gardens, and restaurants. In a wedding reception, the newlyweds usually “receive” the guests in a line and greet them. This is also the opportunity for guests to personally congratulate the couple and extend their best wishes to the bride and groom. Today, more and more couples host and pay for their weddings instead of their parents.

A grand entrance is another form of reception instead of the receiving line. This grand entrance may present not only the couple, but also the parents and the wedding entourage.

A wedding party usually employs the services of an emcee or master of ceremonies. This may be a hired professional or simply a family member or friend. There is also almost always a band or disc jockey with a sound system. The grand entrance occurs in a similar manner as the way the entourage walked down the church aisle during the previously held wedding ceremony. The guests are seated prior to the arrival of the entourage. The introduction of each of the members of the entourage can be accompanied by some music and some information regarding the person being introduced. Unlike the reception line, however, there is no opportunity for the guests to personally relay their wishes and congratulations to the couple, hosts, or parents. This can be seen in receptions in wedding venues West London, Asian wedding halls in West London, and in many a banqueting suite West London.

The wedding reception can be held as an event by itself, and may feature many forms of entertainment. The couple will want to ensure that their family, friends and guests are well entertained, with various options like live bands, disc jockeys, ballroom dancing, fire dances, comedians, and even belly dancers. They serve to heighten the festive feeling and make their wedding more memorable. In some circles, however, lavish entertainment is considered a luxury. Nevertheless, wedding DJs have recently become more popular.

Toasts are common in wedding receptions, the purpose of which is to wish the couple well. Toasts are usually proposed by the father of the bride, or the groom, or the best man. Sometimes, the maid of honor also makes the toast, although no absolute rule exists as to who should make the toast, if the family even does it at all.

There is a relatively new practice being done where a video featuring a photo montage or DVD slideshow is shown in the reception. This features pictures that show the newlyweds and the path they took from birth up until they became married. These videos are usually made with the use of home video software, using various photos that have been taken over the course of the life of the couple. It is edited and is accompanied by appropriate music. This audio-visual presentation is shown on a large monitor screen or LCD projector. This is commonly done in wedding venues West London, Asian wedding halls in West London, and in many a banqueting suite West London.