Can anyone help me with the traditional things I should do at reception?

Question

Help me, I am getting married in October. ANd I am spinning with all the things I still have to do. I already have the first dance song picked out. So what is the things we do? We are introduced (wedding party) , then we walk in and do the first dance song. THen what? My mom isn't married. And my father is not alive. So we can't do a father daughter dance. WHat other dances are there? I could throw my boquet of flowers behind me, but all my bridesmaids are marreid, except two. Should I still throw it? Do I get other single ladies in the crowd? I forgot. What esle should I do and when? Oh the cutting of the cake. I know that is later on.

Answer 1

You could do a mother son dance.  You could dance with your brother if you have one, since you cant dance with your father.  If your grandparents are going to be their, they can dance.  Allow your wedding party first dances if they would like.

If you want to throw your boquet, I would get all the singles that attended the wedding to participate.  But you dont have to do the toss at all.  Ive heard of giving it to the couple that is there that has been married the longest.

Answer 2

Only do traditions that have special meaning to you. I think many brides think it's necessary to do these things "just because" everyone else does them.

I'm not doing the bouquet or garder toss, and people are actually thanking me for that. The bouquet toss makes those single ladies out there feel like losers (nothing like an announcement saying, "Hey, all unmarried ladies, step to the center of the room to get flowers thrown at you!"). And the garder toss, to me, is tacky. Nothing like making a somewhat sexually inappropriate spectacle at a nice, family occasion. I'll probably offend a lot of people with these remarks, and I'm sorry for that, but that's my opinion.

Think of other things that have meaning to you. Don't do other first dances if you don't want to. Instead of playing games and such, have more toasts and scatter them throughout the evening, or just mingle and dance more. Don't feel the need to constantly be putting on a show. People will have more fun on their own.

Answer 3

well the bouquet throwing is for all single women, not just brides maids so I would still do it. And the garter (you know that one right?) where the groom removes it from your leg with his teeth then tosses it (like a male bouquet) to all single men.  Then the man who catches it puts it on the leg of the women who caught the bouquet (provide both are of age. lol)

Since your father is gone what about a family dance? my friend's sister just did this.  Their dad died a few years ago so her, her sister and their mom danced in a circle (like a 3 way slow dance) not sure what the song was though

Answer 4

Do you have a grandfather or brother?  That might be a nice alternative to the father/daughter dance.  Definitely throw the bouquet and it doesn't have to be just to bridesmaids...invite all single girls out.  You could have your new hubby throw the garter right after you do that.  

Answer 5

Usually, you would wait to do the first dance until after dinner. You should invite all ofthe single ladies at the wedding to join in the bouquet toss. There's a garter toss, where the groom takes off your garter and throws it to all of the single men. You can do a "bridal party dance" where everyone in the party dances. There's an anniversary dance where all married couples dance and the d.j. dismisses each couple according to how many years they've been married until the longest married couple is the last on the floor, and they give you advice on the secrets of a happy marriage. You could do a donation dance, men pay a dollar to dance with you and women pay a dollar to dance with your husband. These should be 10 second intervals. There's lots you can do. They are all done after your first dance. If your husbands mom is still alive, you should have a mother son dance for them, even though you won't be having a father daughter dance

Answer 6

First Congrats! There is a lot to do.

Time lines can change a bit depending on where you are located. In my area, Michigan, we do the first dance after dinner. But your way is acceptable also.

How about toasts are you doing those? (This would be before dinner)

Does he want a Mother/Son Dance?

You don't have to have a Father/Daughter dance but you could dance with a uncle or grandfather if you want to and are close to them.

Are you doing a wedding party dance?

In my family the bouquet toss is for all single women at the wedding, but again it's not required.

Is he going to toss the garter?

You could do a dollar dance if you want.

Again depending on where you live, is it tradition to have cake charms?

Really, for wedding receptions there are no rules. Just do what you two want to do & have fun.

Answer 7

indroductions- then you both walk in- are you eating??- then when everyone is done eating- cake- after the cake is pretty much done- your dance- are you close to your father in law(if so say something like being that my father has passed, i would like to offer my father daughter dance to my father in law, and hold your hand out) (c**p i have tears in MY eyes) dont tell him before hand i think the surprise would be beautiful. - then you can have all the wedding party come out and get it started- old songs new songs, funny songs like the twist for the oldies. you can have any single person out for the flowers. and dont forget your guarder. after that is a free for all and i am sure all will have fun. congrats