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Below are
a few of the questions that we see often. We'll give you the correct
etiquette for different situations but remember your reception
is the time to party, so don't take the
rules to heart.
What
is the correct order for people to stand in the receiving line?
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Line
up #1
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Line-up
#5
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Mother
of the Bride
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Mother
of the Bride
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Father
of the Bride
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Father
of the Bride
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Mother
of the Groom
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Bride
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Father
of the Groom
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Groom
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Bride
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Mother
of the Groom
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Groom
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Father
of the Groom
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Maid
of Honour
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Grandmother
of the Bride
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Best
Man
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Grandfather
of the Bride
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Bridesmaid
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Grandmother
of the Groom
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Groomsman
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Grandfather
of the Groom
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Bridesmaid
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Groomsman
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Line-up
#2
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Line-up
#6
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Mother
of the Bride
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Mother
of theBride
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Mother
of the Groom
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Mother
of the Groom
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Bride
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Bride
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Groom
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Groom
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Best
Man
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Father
of the Groom
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Maid
of Honour
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Father
of the Bride
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Line-up
#3
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Line-up
#7
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Maid
of Honour
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Mother
of the Bride
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Bride
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Father
of the Bride
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Groom
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Bride
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Best
Man
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Groom
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Mother
of the Groom
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Line-up
#4
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Father
of the Groom
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Bride
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Maid
of Honour
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Groom
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Best
Man
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*
Not including men in the receiving line is perfect if your dealing
with divorced parents.
What
happens in the receiving line?
- Before
the line starts make sure no one in line is holding anything.
Put bouquets, purses, etc, away. You'll be kissing and hugging
your guests and you don't need things in your way.
- The purpose
of the receiving line is to greet your guests and for everyone
in the line to introduce themselves, state their position and
their relationship to the couple. Example: While shaking hands
say, "Hi, I'm Jane one of Cathy's maid of honour."
You get the drift.
At
the reception, who sits at the parent's table?
- If you
are having one parent's table, symbolizing a united family now,
then both sets of parents and all grandparents.
- If you
are having separate tables, each parent's table will have the
parents and grandparents.
- Your parents
will choose whom else they want seated at their table.
- People
to consider: aunts, uncles, godparents, clergy or other close
relatives.
Who
sits at the head table?
- The bride
and groom are seated in the middle of the table with the maid
of honour sitting beside the bride and the best man sitting
beside the groom.
- You have
two choices here, either the guys sitting on one side of the
table and the girls on the other or seat everyone boy-girl-boy-girl
What
is "Announcing into the hall'?
- Your guests
will already be seated at their tables.
- The couple,
their wedding party and parents (grandparents optional) are
announced into the hall by either your DJ or MC.
*
The announcing is optional, you don't have to do this if you don't
want.
What
is the order in which we enter the hall?
- Bride’s
parents
- Groom’s
parents
- Groomsman
& bridesmaid
- Groomsman
& bridesmaid
- Best man
& maid of honour
- Flower
girl and ring bearer
- Bride and
groom
*
Make sure that whomever is doing the announcing has a list of
everyone's names and titles (best man, bridesmaid, etc) in the
correct order in which they will enter the hall.
What
are Favours and Bombonniere?
- Favours
and bombonniere are the mementos/gifts that you give to your
guests at your reception.
- You don't
have to give your guests a favour but it is a nice token of
your appreciation for their attendance and gift.
- Giving
a donation to a charity instead of trinkets has become a very
popular thing to do. Your best man can mention this in his speech.
He should explain why you chose that particular charity also,
makes it more personal.
Who
gets Favours and when do I hand them out?
- Usually
only the female guests get a gift.
- If you
are planning on giving chocolates or boxed pieces of wedding
cake, then everyone will receive a favour.
- Your wedding
party can hand out the favours from the receiving line. You
can put the favours right on the guest tables or if the couple
is planning on going from table to table later on in the evening
to chat with their guests, they can hand them out personally
then.
We have separate
articles for toasts and speeches and a reception timeline to help
you with when to do what.
Enjoy Your Reception!!
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