Not sure who does what or what the order of service is at the reception? Follow these top tips for a stress-free wedding day, says Laura Knight
The Reception• The father-of-the-bride should speak first and welcome the guests, toast the groom’s parents and offer advice to the newly weds. In his speech he should welcome his new son-in-law to the family and say lovely things about his daughter. At the end of his speech he should toast the bride and groom.
• The groom should speak next and in his speech he should talk about his new wife and thank all of the guests who have organized the day. He should also thank both sets of parents and toast the bridesmaids.
• The best man then speaks and responds on behalf of the bridesmaids. He reads out any telegrams which have been received as well as any absences. He usually tells a few jokes about the groom (nothing too embarrassing though!) and finally he should toast host and hostess and the bride and groom.
• Although it has not been the norm, more and more brides are also speaking so don’t be afraid to stand up and say a few words. The best time to do this is after the groom and before the best man.
• The cutting-of-the-cake is announced after all of the speeches have been done by either the master of ceremonies or the best man. The couple make the first slice and then the cake is usually taken away to be sliced.
Who sits where• Traditionally, the bride and groom sit at the top table with their parents, the chief bridesmaid and the best man. Many couples nowadays don’t have a long table, preferring a round one instead.
• To avoid stress with divorced parents, you should sit them close to their new partners or ask them to host their own tables.
• When you are making up the tables – it’s usually advised to get an equal mix of men and women to keep the atmosphere lively.
• Keep working colleagues together as they have more in common. As a rule couples should also sit at the same table but not next to each other.
• If you have children at your wedding, it is common to have a special children’s table or else seat them next to their parents. You should try to decorate the children’s table differently and also have different goodie bags for them.
Gifts• Many brides like to place favours or gifts on reception tables for guests to keep as a token of thanks for coming. These include chocolates, sweets, mini-cameras, or framed photos of the bride and groom. There are many companies who specialize in themed favours, so shop around to find something which suits your personality and budget.
• It’s traditional to give flowers to your mother and new mother-in-law at the reception. You should also a get a present for your chief bridesmaid and other attendants. The groom should also give his best man a thank you gift and the ushers should get something as well.
• Most couples now also give each other something on their wedding day too. These presents can be exchanged at any point either before or after the wedding or even the next morning.
• It’s always best to have a registry list with a department store. The average guest spends between Dhs500 – 700.
• Some couples who have been together for a long time may prefer cash instead of gifts, but it is not correct to state this in the invitations. It’s best to pass the word around via a family member or else request gift vouchers for certain stores.
• You must always send thank you cards for your gifts. They should be handwritten and personal – in the letter you should note what each person gave you and what you will be using the present for. Sometimes it’s nice to send a photo of the wedding day itself, including one with the guest you are writing to.
Who does what?• The best man is responsible for supporting the groom, planning his bachelor night and ensuring he gets to the church/religious service on time. He also hands over the rings during the ceremony and makes a speech at the reception. He directs guests and sometimes acts as Master of Ceremonies. If you have hired suits, he makes sure that they are returned the next day.
• The chief bridesmaid or Maid of Honor is the bride’s main helper. She helps you get ready on the morning of the wedding, takes your bouquet when you say your vows and always has an emergency kit, in case you should have a problem with your dress or makeup.
• Ushers help the best man but their main role is to hand service sheets to guests as they arrive and guide them to their seats. They also look after the bride’s mother and the groom’s parents.
