Traditional Wedding Reception Formalities

The cutting of the cake

The cutting of the cake takes place at the reception. The bride holds the knife and the groom places his hand over hers to cut the cake.

This symbolises the plunge the couple has taken, as they embark on a new life together and is one of the major photo opportunities!

Originally the bride would cut the cake herself for all the wedding guests, however as wedding cakes became larger and more multi-tiered, it did take the combined efforts of both the bride and groom to cut and serve!

Sometimes, the bride and groom may feed each other a slice of cake, and depending on what the couple is like, it may end in a marzipan disaster!

The Bridal Waltz

This is a traditional dance performed by the Bride & Groom, and signifies their first dance together as husband and wife.

During the Bridal Waltz the MC will first announce the Bridal Party to join the wedding couple on the dance floor.

The MC will wait briefly, and then announce the Parents of the Bride & Groom to join the wedding party on the dance floor.

Finally after another brief wait, the MC will announce that all guest and their partners can also join the dance floor.

It also opens the dance floor

The Bouquet Throw

The bride originally tossed her bouquet to a friend as she left the festivities to keep that person safe (helping to ward off evil spirits) and to offer her luck, since getting lucky in those days meant getting married.

This came to mean that the single woman who caught the bouquet would marry next.

These days, the Bride gathers any eligible single women on the Dance Floor area, and throws the bouquet over her shoulder. As expected, the female who catches the bouquet, will be next to be married.

The origins of the garter toss are humorous, as guests would literally rip off pieces of the bride's gown for luck. In an effort to defend herself, the bride would throw her garter to them.

These days, the Groom removes the garter from the Bride's leg using his nothing but his teeth, and then tosses it over his shoulder to any awaiting eligible bachelors.

This has become the most traditional and simple way for the Bride & Groom to depart the reception and thank their invited guests.

The guests assemble on the dance floor and surround the Bridal Party, whilst the Bride & Groom traverse the circle in opposite directions, and eventually meet at the point at which they started.

By the time they return, they have thanked all their guests, and join the Bridal Party in the middle of the circle. At this point the band or DJ plays a departing tune such as the traditional "Wish me Luck", and then the Bride & Groom run hand-in-hand from the reception.

This has become a popular alternative for Wedding Couples to depart the reception.

It consists of the guests assembling on the dance floor in 2 lines facing each other. The end of the line is at the Exit door of the reception, whilst the beginning of the line is inside the reception room.

The guests then raise their arms in the air, and join hands with the person facing them, forming a long tunnel. The Bride & Groom simply start at one end of the line, and run through the tunnel, and out the door to start their honeymoon.

The only drawback with the Guard of Honour, is that it is difficult of the Bride & Groom to thank their guests, as they can with the Farewell Circle.