The Reception

 

In this section, you will find many of the "traditional" wedding activities listed and explained.  As you look at these examples, bear in mind that these are suggestions, and the activities and presentations that you choose for your celebration are entirely up to you. You’re the boss.

 

Entrance of the Wedding Party or “The Grand Entrance”

Upon your arrival at your reception site, we suggest formally kicking off the reception with the “Grand Entrance” of the wedding party followed by the bride & groom. This entrance can really set the tone for the rest of your reception celebration. For anyone looking to add a really unique, exciting, and personal touch to their reception, the Grand Entrance is absolutely the best place to start

 

The Welcome Toast

Immediately following your grand entrance, while all of your guests are still standing and cheering your arrival, take advantage of this unique moment to express your gratitude to your guests for coming to help you celebrate. You can use this opportunity to thank your parents for their support, and thank any friends or family who have contributed in the preparation of the ceremony or reception.. The groom could also acknowledge his thoughts and feelings about his bride. We will give you a cordless handheld microphone so you can thank and welcome your guests from the center of the room following your entrance.

 

Other Toasts

Toasts can be very effective at the conclusion of the meal. We will talk about all aspects of this activity. A wireless microphone will be available for your best man, maid/matron of honor, fathers, mothers, or others who may have been asked to say a few prepared words.

 

Cake Cutting

A long standing tradition is the cutting of the cake, and it may be worth mentioning that cupcake cakes are increasing in popularity. Either way you choose to go, the protocol is similar in nature. The fun of this activity is in the anticipation. We suggest that you have a playful, yet sensible attitude while feeding each other.

 

First Dance

As your special song begins to play, you share your first dance as husband and wife. Many couples choose to dance together, alone, and center stage during this romantic time.

 

Wedding Party Dance

Other couples ask that the wedding party join them halfway through the first dance. If your wedding party will be joining you, please be sure your MC and your photographer are aware, well in advance. Your photographer will appreciate the notification and may plan to take bride and groom photos at the beginning of your song, before you are joined on the dance floor.

 

Father/Daughter – Mother/Son Dance

Two of the most sentimental and traditional events at the wedding reception are when the father of the bride dances with his daughter, and when the mother of the groom dances with her son. These special dances can be done separately, with independent music selections, or everyone can dance at the same time during one carefully selected song.

 

Family Dance

This dance creates an opportunity for you to honor and acknowledge your aunts, uncles and cousins in addition to those closest to you that you consider family.

 

Longevity/Anniversary Dance

This special dance creates an opportunity for you to honor, acknowledge, and even seek some free marital advice from the longest married couple in attendance. It can be done in a variety of ways. One method involves inviting all of the married couples to join the bride and groom for a special dance in honor of marriage. The music starts and during the course of this song the married couples are invited to take a place on the edge of the dance floor based on years of marriage accrued, starting with the two of you and building up towards whoever has been married the longest. As the couples on the dance floor begin to thin out, there will soon be just one couple left. Your guests will naturally begin to applaud. At this point your MC takes a moment to introduce them by name and years of marriage, and asks them to briefly share their secret for staying married so long.

 

Other Spotlight Dances

Some brides and grooms may choose to opt for a special dance with a relative, an immediate family member, or a close family friend in lieu of, or in addition to, other traditional dances.

 

Bouquet Toss

The bouquet toss can occur at just about any time during the reception, and is almost always followed by the garter toss. The bride will want to be sure to have her throw bouquet at hand. The MC will gather the single ladies on the dance floor and begin the countdown of the throw as, 5-4-3-2-1. Following the catch, the photographer may want to take a special photo of the bride with the woman who caught the bouquet. Please let us know if you would like to discuss alternatives to this tradition. We will be happy to suggest other options that will allow you to give away your bouquet and still create a unique and memorable moment for you and your guests.

 

Garter Removal/Toss

In a similar fashion to the bouquet toss, the MC will invite all of the single men to the dance floor. For the garter removal, the bride can sit on a chair or on the best man’s knee. All parties involved with this activity should agree on how it will be carried out to avoid an embarrassing or uncomfortable situation. After the groom has removed the garter from the bride’s leg, the MC will begin the countdown for the toss as, 5-4-3-2-1. The gentleman who catches the garter might be asked to meet the woman who caught the bouquet, on the dance floor. The bride and groom can join them for a fun, candid photo.

 

Dedications, Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc.

Are there any appropriate, special announcements that you would like your MC to make? This is another great opportunity to personalize your event and recognize someone special.

 

General Dancing

It is highly recommended that the bride and groom participate on the dance floor during the first fast dance, as if it were an invitation to get the party started. Your presence, energy, and display of fun will encourage your guests to start dancing. As we observe the reaction of your guests, we can then best determine which songs to play. Your MC is an expert at music programming and has the ability to “read the crowd” to keep guests of all ages dancing and having fun.

 

The Last Dance

We take this opportunity to announce the last dance and instruct the guests to exit after the dance and line up across from each other, creating a pathway extending from the exit point to the waiting limo or getaway vehicle.

 

The Send Off - Bubble Style

Bubbles are a very popular wedding novelty, and the last dance is a perfect place to use them effectively. We gather all of the guests around the dance floor as the Bride and Groom dance their last dance of the evening. The bubbles are distributed to all of the guests as they take their places surrounding the bride and groom, and they are encouraged to fill the air with bubbles. This gets everyone involved, and makes for some fantastic pictures at the end of the evening.

 

The Send Off – Sparkler Style

Following the last dance, we quickly take the guests outside for the send off. Each guest is provided with sparklers. Once all of the sparklers are lit, the bride and groom make their departure while their friends and family cheer them on their way. Not only does this get everyone involved, it creates a setting for some fabulous photographs!