For that
important get-together for family and friends, you'd be wise
to start planning about a year in advance. Plan on including
all the guests who come to the ceremony.
The most popular locations are
hotels, banquet halls, restaurants, private clubs, cultural
institutions and -- taking advantage of our proximity to
beautiful Lake Ontario -- boats. Other possibilities:
Churches or temples. Private homes. Gardens. Farms.
Wineries. Historical sites.
Whichever spot you select, tour it
first and find out if catering, servers and bartenders are
supplied.
To relieve yourself of a lot the
pressure at the reception hall, recruit close friends and
relatives to act as hosts. It will be their job to greet
guests, help them find their seats, instruct them at the
buffet table and chat with them until they make a connection
with a friend or relative.
When the meal gets underway and the
wedding party is served, it is customary for the best man to
propose a toast to the bride. Everyone in attendance except
the bride rises and joins in. Others may propose further
toasts.
The bouquet and garter toss are key
parts of the reception. Although they usually take place at
the end of the evening, both events can happen earlier. Many
brides get a special flower arrangement made for throwing so
that the wedding bouquet can be preserved. An important
reception tradition is the order of the dances. Best: 1.
Bride and groom alone. 2. Bride and her father, groom and
bride's mother, both couples alone. 3. Father and mother of
bride and groom alone. 4. Entire wedding party followed by
other wedding guests.
What to check out at each reception
location you are considering:
Will it
accommodate all the guests comfortably?
Does it
have adequate parking?
Are
restroom facilities adequate, especially for women?
Is the
dance floor big enough?
Is there
a public address system?
Will they
provide extras such as valet parking, serving attendants
or bartenders?
Are there
enough electrical outlets for the entertainment?
Are you
required to use their food and beverages?
Are there
enough tables and chairs?
How early
can you get in to set up? By what time must you be out?
Will you
be responsible for cleanup?
Will
someone be on hand to provide early admission for the
caterer, florist, baker, etc.
How much
is the rental fee and what is included? Does this
include gratuities and taxes?
How much
are all the extras?
How soon
must it be reserved?
What
deposit is required? When is it due? When is the balance
due?
What is
the cancellation policy?
Are the
guests permitted to throw birdseed or rice?
