The reception is almost as old as the wedding itself and was intended to celebrate both the marriage and the joining of the groom and bride's family.

Originally, only close family members attended 'the wedding breakfast' as it was once known but, over time, it has developed into the event we have today, where everybody who is invited to attend the wedding ceremony is usually invited to the reception afterwards.

The reception often starts after the formal photographs have been taken and begins with the reception line-up when the members of the wedding party greet each of the guests individually. The ushers introduce each guest by name, usually to the mother of the bride, so it can be a good idea to have an usher from each family.

The guests then make their way to their tables followed a very short time later by the wedding party, who sit at the top table. After the meal the speeches, gift giving and the cuting of the cake take place.

After the reception there is usually an evening party, where a wider circle of friends and relatives are invited and this tends to be a very informal affair with a buffet and dancing. Many of the evening guests will bring gifts for the couple and it is one of the best man's duties to ensure the security of these gifts.

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