SoRaiseYourGlasses

 Planning Your Wedding Running Order

The order in which things are done at a wedding is important. There are traditions which don't have to be followed, but making a plan and sticking to it is vital if you want a stress free day!

We have split the Wedding Day into two parts here as the ceremony and the reception are distinct events even if they take place at the same venue.

The Ceremony

There are so many different ceremonies now both inside and outside Church that it is impossible to provide a single guide to cover all, and many vary according to local and cultural tastes. However, we have identified the major components of a more traditional church wedding, and these can easily be modified to suit your circumstances:

1. The Groom and guests arrive first
2. The bride arrives last, accompanied by her entourage and her father, or the person who is giving her away. There is usually a musical accompaniment to the bride's entrance.
3. There is usually an introduction by the celebrant
4. In church weddings this is frequently followed by a hymn
5. There are often one or two readings, by close friends or family of the bride and groom, and these will usually be Bible readings in a church, but can be any appropriate reading
6. In a church wedding the celebrant will say a few words to the congegation and specifically to the Bride and Groom
7. A second hymn may be sung
8. The Marriage Vows
9. The signing of the Register, and this is usually accompanied by some music
10. The final blessing
11. Departure - the Bride and Groom lead the way out usually to a musical accompaniment

The Reception

1. The bride and groom should be the first to arrive at the recepetion venue followed by their parents and the bridal party.
2. As guests arrive they are usually formally greeted by the Bride and Groom, then the Bride's parents and then the Bridegroom's parents
3. A drink is often served as the guests arrive
4. The guests are called into the reception for the meal
5. Once all the guests have settled the Bride and Groom make their entrance to the applause of their guests
6. The meal
7. Following the meal, the Toastmaster, if there is one, calls upon the Bride and Groom to cut the cake, and they do so.
8. Following the cutting of the cake come the speeches, which include:
9. The Bride's father proposing a Toast to the Bride and Groom
10. The Bridegroom proposing a Toast to the Bridesmaids
11. The Best Man responds on behalf of the bridesmaids
12. This is usually the end of the formalities, and many weddings will end here with the Bride and Groom departing, but many will either have a break and then re-convene in the evening for a more informal celebration, or run straight into this after the reception, with the Bride and Groom then departing later.