Wedding Day Etiquette
Weddings are full of various customs and traditions, which generally come under the heading of wedding etiquette. These traditions and customs will feature in just about every wedding and therefore will be expected by your guests. That said you do not have to have them if you don’t want to and many couples choose to personalise their wedding day by accommodating just a few of them throughout the day.
Here is a guide to some of the wedding day etiquette you may want to consider:
Running Order
The Ceremony – this can be similar for both a religious and civil ceremony, but you should remember that a civil wedding ceremony should not contain any religious references. The ceremony will start with the entrance of the bride, an introduction from the wedding officiant, the marriage and the signing of the register. At a religious ceremony you may include hymns, prayers and readings or blessings. The service will end as you exit as husband and wife.
The Reception – you ushers will be responsible for making sure all your guests know where the reception venue is. Once your guests arrive allow them half an hour to meet and greet and to come together in one place. This is sometimes known as the cocktail hour and you can have canapés and champagne served. Your wedding breakfast then follows and then the wedding speeches and toasts. After this you will cut the wedding cake and it is then onto the evening party where you will take to the dance floor for your first dance. It is traditional for the guests to leave after the bride and groom.
Who Does What?
You will have various attendants and supporters throughout the wedding planning and wedding day so it is important you choose people whom you can trust and rely upon. The best man will support the groom by planning his bachelor party, getting him to the church on time, handing over the wedding rings and making a speech. He may also make announcements, direct your guests, sort out your going away transport and return any hired suits.
The chief bridesmaid will be responsible for supporting the bride, planning her hen night, helping the bride to get dressed on the day and help with any last minute nerves. It has also become a popular trend for the chief bridesmaid to make a speech at the wedding reception.
Ushers will aid the best man in directing the guests, handing out the wedding programs and any other tasks that need taking care of on the day.
Seating
Traditionally the bride and groom will sit in the centre of the top table with their parents, the chief bridesmaid and the best man. However, it has become popular to have round tables instead of the formal top table to create a more informal atmosphere and some couples will have a table just for them. If any of your parents are divorced and have new partners you may wish to seat them together on separate tables to avoid any difficult moments.
Mix the sexes – boy/girl around your tables and seat couples on the same table but not next to each other. This helps to facilitate interaction between your guests across the table and creates a livelier atmosphere. Children should be sat with their parents or you can arrange a special children’s table with goodies bags to keep them entertained.
Speeches
It is traditional for the Father-of-the-bride to speak first, who will welcome the guests, toast the groom’s parents, welcome his new son-in-law and speak about his lovely daughter. The groom will speak next and will thank his lovely wife, thank those who have helped plan the day, thank both sets of parents and toast the bridesmaids. Finally the best man will speak on behalf of the bridesmaids, read out any announcements, messages and cards and perhaps tell a few jokes about the groom! Finally he will give a toast to the newly-weds.
