You and your family will be off to take photographs straight after the wedding ceremony. So you will need someone to welcome your guests when they get to the reception venue. Didn't think of that? Here are more reception tips...

Couples sometimes forget that they and their families will be off having photographs taken straight after the ceremony, and that there will be no one on hand to welcome their guests when they get to the reception venue.

I have often arrived at a reception and been unsure of where to go, or where to leave my wedding gift (and let's face it, when you have spent a small fortune on a wedding present, you might be forgiven for not wanting to leave it on an unmanned table — even more so if it is in the form of a gift voucher or cash!)

Family members and close friends are always keen to help at weddings, so consider asking one (or two) of them to arrive at the reception venue ahead of the guests and to welcome them on your behalf. If you are offering drinks on arrival, the same person could inform the guests of this fact and also show them where to leave their presents.

A good tip I was given years ago, and one that I have passed on to many brides, is to arm the person assigned to this task with a roll of sellotape, as guests often don't attach cards securely to their gifts. This will help to avoid the scenario of the couple opening their presents later and not knowing who has given them a beautiful toaster (or whatever), because the card has fallen off en route!

The order of events

Two other aspects of the reception that tend to be forgotten about until the last minute, are the order of events and the role of the various speechmakers.

With so much else to plan and think about before the wedding, it's little wonder that the task of speechmaking is often delegated at the eleventh hour.

Who says what (and how) at a wedding is often a cause for great anxiety to all concerned and as, strictly speaking, speeches form part of the entertainment at a function, it is necessary to bear this in mind when choosing your speechmakers!

In previous articles I have dealt with the importance of having a Master of Ceremonies, and it is a good idea to ensure that your MC knows the name of the Banqueting Manager at your chosen venue. On arrival, the MC should introduce himself (or herself) to the Banqueting Manager, as it will be the former's task to sort out any glitches that may occur during the reception.

The traditional order of events is as follows:

On arrival at the venue, guests are offered a pre-dinner drink. They (and the rest of the bridal party) are then seated prior to the entrance of the bride and groom. The Master of Ceremonies asks everyone to stand to welcome the newly married pair as they make their way to their table, while the DJ (or band) plays a suitable piece of music (remember to discuss the choice with your music provider in advance).

The MC then welcomes everyone and, if grace is being said, he will call upon the appointed person to do so. The first course will then be served.

The speeches are usually given after the first course, but can also be made after the main course. After the Master of Ceremonies has welcomed everyone, he will either make a short speech and propose a toast to the bride and groom, or call on the person who is performing this duty. If preferred, the bride's father may propose the toast to the bride and groom, but some fathers are so overcome with emotion that they have to battle their way through the speech! It may be kinder (and safer) to give the task to a close family friend or relation.

The best man then reads emails from guests unable to attend and talks briefly about his friendship with the groom, after which he proposes a toast to the beautiful bridesmaids, as well as any other attendants. If the bridesmaids are making speeches, they could then follow and talk about their friendship with the bride.

Next comes the groom's speech, which usually consists of thanking everyone for being there, especially guests who have travelled a long way to do so. He also thanks the bride's parents, his parents and all who have contributed in whatever way to make the day special. He then proposes a toast to the parents (a nice touch is to include any grandparents who may be present). At this point, couples sometimes present their mothers with a gift or a bouquet of flowers.

The groom now proposes a toast to his beautiful new wife.

The bride (once she has dried her eyes) then has the last say (this is optional). Like the groom's speech, hers will include thanking all the special people in her life.

After the main course, the couple take to the floor for their first dance. Remember to tell the DJ what song you would like played well ahead of the event — don't assume that because it is a popular tune, he will automatically have it to hand.

Traditionally, the bridal couple are joined on the floor by their parents and the bridesmaids and best men.