Reception formalities: are you keeping or skipping these?

We skipped the bridal party dance (I've never seen it done at any wedding I've ever attended) and the bouquet/garter tosses (not our style). We did a lot of the other formalities, though put our own twist on most of them.

We are skipping literally all of these. I’ve always felt these “traditions” made weddings feel too cookie cutter, and tbh most of them are really boring for guests.

Grand entrance: just my new husband and I were introduced. Bridal party was already inside and seated.

First dance: We did that. Took 12 dance lessons. Everyone loved it. We are NOT dancers so I think it surprised everyone!

Bridal party dance: Skipped this as well as father/daughter; mother/son

Cake Cutting: we did this. most people just watched from afar.

Toasts: MOB gave a blessing before dinner. FOB gave a welcome speech. BM & MOH did short toasts.

Anniversary dance: no

Bouquet/Garter Toss: no

Last dance: we just announced that "this is the last song" and made it our only slow song (we wanted to PARTY). It also got people to know they needed to get packed up and ready for the sparkler exit.

I don't think anyone missed the things we eliminated. Everyone seemed to have a great time and one girlfriend even said it was the best wedding she'd ever been to :-)

Good luck and happy planning!!!!

So many posts say “your guests will be lost and confused without an MC” and they won’t know who you are if you don’t have a reception entrance” , neither of which is true in our experiences but every group is different. It’s so interesting to see what is both common and unheard of in other social circles. But every wedding will be great no matter what you keep or cut out.

We will do an entrance - not sure it will be "grand" LOLOL We do have a first dance, but there won't be a bridal party dance as it is mis-matched (grooms woman), I HATE HATE HATE bouquet toss .... and we and are guests are all mostly senior citizens ROFLMAO, can you picture that??? Ummmmm, cake cutting is up in the air at this time. Never heard of an anniversary dance, so that's a no as well. FH and I WILL dance with our children at some point, just not at the very beginning because, as a guest, I wanted my dinner and not have to sit through all the dancing, and millions of speeches, etc. My son (best man) will do a very short "congrats" toast before we eat.

View Quoted Comment

Maybe there are some single senior citizens who can be there for the bouquet toss.

We did a couple of those (grand entrance, cake cutting, and a slow dance for my parents' anniversary which other people could join in if they wanted). We didn't have a first dance in front of everyone, but we did a private one for our photographer and videographer. I've never seen a bouquet or garter toss at a wedding, so it would honestly be weird if we did it since it's just not done in our circles.

Grand entrance: not really .. someone will just announce “please welcome mr and Mrs …”
MC announcements: yes - me and my dad will be going some, plus the DJ .. I have been to weddings where I never hear the couple collectively address the room and I wish they would, especially if they can’t make it to every table. I think this will add a more personal touch and I hope it makes people feel a little more like we care they are there.
First dance: yes, but nothing special lol just the standard slow swayBridal party dance: big nope! Not my style nor the wedding party’s styleCake cutting: yes, I love cake and I am super excited about my cake 😁Toasts; yep, but they’ll be short Anniversary dance: maybeBouquet and garter toss: yes .. I seem to be one the few who likes these but to me they are traditional so we’re doing them Last dance: I’m undecided. Fiancé doesn’t really want to, so probably won’t.

Grand entrance: Yes. I don't think I've been to a wedding where one wasn't done unless the ceremony and reception were in the same space, the bride and groom were there the whole time, and it would have been odd to announce them when they never left. But in our case, we'll be arriving to a separate location and it'll be a way to end cocktail hour, get everyone to their seats, and start the reception.

Toasts: Yes. FOB will be doing a toast after the grand entrance before dinner starts, then BM/ MOH will both be doing a speech/ toast.

Cake cutting: Yes. This will be after dinner so the cake can be our third course and they can cut it while everyone is watching the dances.

First dance: Definitely! This is one of my favorite parts of weddings, and we took dance lessons for ours.

Parent dances: yup.

Bridal party dances: never heard of it.

Bouquet/ garter toss: Yes. Also one of the few that likes these. They're traditional, and I really enjoy wedding traditions. 🤷‍♀️

Anniversary dance: Yes! This is another of my favorites, and it's a great way to honor those who've made the commitment to marriage before us as well as kick start dancing for the evening.

Private last dance: This one seems newer to me, but I like it. Our photographer and videographer are going to be long-gone, so it'll really be just a moment for us.

Grand exit: Not going to happen. I think these are fun as a guest and make for great pictures, but it just didn't work out logistically for us. Oh well 🤷‍♀️