Jewish Wedding Reception Traditions

The reception traditionally begins with a hamotzi (blessing) of the Challah (braided bread). S’eudah mitzvah is the portion of the wedding when a variety of specialty kosher foods are served. The Hora, or chair dance, is a widely known Jewish reception tradition. Guests lift the bride and groom on chairs above their heads while others dance around them to the song “Hava Nagila.” If you are the last child to be married off, guests will dance the Mezinke Tanz, and dance around your parents and often place a crown of flowers on the mother’s head. Finally, benchers (prayer books) are passed out to guests to recite the seven wedding blessings are said. Wine is blessed and two glasses of wine are poured into another, symbolic of the new marriage.

Mexican Reception Ideas

The widely known piñata tradition is a fun and entertaining addition to a reception, not only for the children in attendance, but for the grown ups as well! The piñata can be filled with traditional candies and small toys, or a special selection of gifts and memorabilia that are unique to the bride and groom. One romantic Mexican reception tradition involves the guests forming a heart shape ring around the couple as they prepare to start their first dance as man and wife. Traditionally, the wedding cake served at a Mexican wedding reception is a fruit cake soaked in rum.

Irish Reception Trends

Toasts are very important and poetic in Irish tradition, and the men may play instruments such as the reels, jigs, and hornpipes, all while wearing kilts. Irish weddings are full of dancing and non-stop authentic music. Instead of drinking from two seperate wine glasses, it is customary for Irish newly weds to drink from one cup when being toasted. The term “honeymoon” stems from the tradition of giving the couple lots of mead, a fermented honey drink. Mead was thought to help with fertility. Irish whisky and Guinness are most certainly found in abundance at and Irish wedding reception. it is also customary for the couple to make a donation to charity after their wedding, as it is believed in Irish culture that they will have bad luck in marriage if they do not.

Catholic Reception Trends

As the couple enters the reception area the guests will often throw confetti at them. When cutting the cake, the bride and groom will feed each other the first slice, and then allow guests to come get a slice. The father of the bride or best man usually gives a toast. Dancing begins with the couple’s first dance as husband and wife, followed by the parents of the bride, followed by the rest of the wedding party and the groom’s parents. Dinner is usually served and a blessing is given. The bride and groom leave the reception once dinner and dancing are complete. Often the bride will toss her bouquet as she leaves for a lucky single woman to catch. As tradition goes, whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to get married!

Green Wedding Reception Ideas

Reusing decorations gathered and collected from friends and family is a great way to stay green and save a buck at the same time! Incorporate lots of family heirlooms, antiques and use innovated ideas to assemble centerpieces from items you already have and love. All natural candles, bamboo accents and other organic elements can be purchased with ease at very affordable prices. Transferring décor from the ceremony to the reception site is another great tip to save you money and save strain on our environment.

Italian Wedding Reception Ideas

There are several traditions following an Italian wedding. A pair of white doves may be released to signify the couple’s love for one another. The families and friends often bring baked goods, like cakes, pasties and treats to offer the newlyweds. The front grill of the getaway car is adorned with a brilliant display of fresh flowers. Often, a money dance is held, allowing guests to stand in line for a turn to dance with the bride or groom (for a small fee!) and giving the couple a chance to thank them each for attending.

Military Reception Trends

Military receptions are often held in the ballroom or meeting facilities of clubs, hotels, or restaurants, because should the reception be held on base, it is unlikely non-military members will be able to attend. it is not unlikely for couples to be wed on base with one reception, then off base with another reception to welcome non-military guests. Guests enlisted in the military should be seated in order of their rank. The cutting of the cake includes a fun tradition of the groom handing his saber to the bride, who is then guided by her new husband as they slice the first piece of wedding cake together. Unique speaches or toasts may be made, or chants shouted. Otherwise, a military reception generally follows the religious or personal preference of the couple getting married.

Protestant Wedding Reception Trends

Much like a Catholic reception, the couple is welcomed into the reception area by the guests. When dancing begins, typically the bride and groom will dance first. Others are only invited to join in when specifically instructed to do so by a Disc Jockey, band leader, or the host. Dinner may not be served and instead light hors d’ oeuvres may be offered as an appetizer. Alcohol may or may not be offered, and in some cases may even be restricted. The Father-of-the-Bride welcomes and thanks the guests for attending, then the Best Man and Maid of Honor give toasts to the happy couple. Towards the end of the reception, all of the single women will gather and the bride will turn around and toss her bouquet backwards toward them. Like Catholic beliefs, tradition states that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. The groom then seats the bride in a chair, removes her garter from underneath her dress, and invites all of the single men to gather. He then also faces away and tosses the garter back to them. As the bride and groom make their escape from the reception, it is customary to throw rice, flower petals, or blow bubbles.

African Reception Ideas

Kola Nuts are symbolic in African culture as having medicinal and fertility purposes. They represent a willingness between families to help each other, so the nut is shared and then stored in the house as an everlasting reminder. African drumming and beats and also dancing are common practices at receptions evoking excitement and rhythm. Bright colors garnish the reception in both décor and garment choice. “Jumping the Broom” is a symbolic tradition, paying respect to African slave ancestry and continuing heritage. When African slaves were not permitted to marry, they publically announced their marriage by jumping over a broom. The act in itself was considered symbolic of “sweeping their problems away.”

Eastern Reception Ideas

In Indian culture, the post-wedding ceremony begins with welcoming the bride into her new home. The groom’s brother will shower the couple with flower petals in a tradition believed to ward of evil. Following a Chinese wedding ceremony, the bride will wake up at dawn the next day to honor her ancestors. Thereafter, when visiting her family she will be received as a guest. The receptions are “standing only” and includes a cake-cutting ceremony of a cake with many tiers. It is not unlikely for the bride to change multiple times throughout the event. As red is symbolic of love in China, the couple may choose to drink wine and honey from goblets adjoined together by a red thread. Japanese receptions are celebrated by gifting money to the new couple and dress changes to the bride. An array of skits, games and activities are usually arranged for the guests to become involved in. Speeches, blessings and toasts are very meaningful and important in Japanese culture.