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Weddings are a special time for friends and family to celebrate the union of a happy couple. Everyone in attendance wants the ceremony and wedding reception to run smoothly, with no stress or drama for the loving pair or the guests. To be the best wedding reception attendee you can be, keep these five tips in mind.

Wedding Reception Etiquette

Timing

Try to arrive fifteen minutes before the festivities. Give yourself enough time to account for traffic or getting lost in an area you are not familiar with. This is particularly true for weddings that begin with a brief ceremony and lead right into the cocktail hour and reception. If you are late, do not burst into the room. Enter quietly and find your seat discreetly. 

Order of the Day

Usually the venue staff or wedding planner will be in charge of guiding guests from location to location as the day progresses. Wait for them to direct you to the cocktail or dining area before you indulge in the food or find your seat too soon. While being early can be seen as rude, so can being late. Try to move to the next portion of the night when asked so you aren’t delaying the party or the dinner.

Dance Floor

wedding receptionMany weddings have a few special dances that happen before the rest of the guests are invited onto the dance floor. Trust the bridal party; they have an outline of the order of events. Usually a DJ or band emcee will make an announcement as well letting everyone know they can join in. The last thing you want to do is intrude on the couple’s first dance.

Grabbing the Mic

Toasts and speeches are carefully planned before the big day. The best man and maid of honor are typically the speakers of the night. Unless the floor is opened for other guests to chime in, resist the urge to grab the microphone and start talking. If there is something beautiful you really want to say, ask the guests of honor first before starting a speech or write your heartfelt words in their card.

End of the Night

Generally the rule is to stay until the cake cutting. Besides traditionally being good luck, this is also the last formal event of the evening at the reception location. After tasting the cake you can choose to stay for more dancing or you can say your goodbyes. Some people have after-parties to extend the night. If you choose to attend, find out details so you arrive at the right time and location.

 

Havelock Social Hall in Lincoln, NE, offers two top-notch banquet halls and a quality catering service for your upcoming special events. From wedding receptions to corporate events, their venues provide ample room, a dance floor, bar, private restrooms, and many other amenities to make your party a success. To learn more about this wedding reception hall, visit them online or call (402) 467-3002.

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