Reception
Reception
The celebratory party following the wedding ceremony
Definition
The reception is the celebratory party that follows the wedding ceremony, where guests gather to honor the newlyweds with food, drinks, dancing, and toasts. Receptions typically include a cocktail hour, dinner service, cake cutting, first dance, parent dances, bouquet and garter toss, and open dancing. The reception is usually the largest portion of the wedding budget and can range from an intimate dinner to a lavish multi-hour celebration.