Wedding Protocol

The choice of whether to follow traditional or more a modern format for your wedding is entirely yours.
Following is a guide to the smooth running of a traditional wedding reception.

Receiving Line

The standard order for receiving guests to the reception is:-

• The bride's mother and father
• The groom's mother and father
• Bride
• Groom
• Attendants

Top Table Seating Plan

Traditionally the top table is for the bridal party and follows the order of:-

Bridesmaid

Chief bridesmaid

Groom's father

Bride's mother

Groom

Bride

Bride's father

Groom's mother

Best man

Bridesmaid

Cutting the Cake

The cake is cut after the meal. The groom places his hand over the bride's and they make the first cut together. The cake will then be taken away, sliced and served to the guests. If you would like to keep the top tier then please make this known prior to the day.

Toasts and Speeches

Traditionally these are done after the cutting of the cake and in the following order:-

• The bride's father, or close relative/friend proposes a toast to the bride and groom
• The bridegroom toasts the bridesmaids
• The best man responds to the bridegroom on behalf of the bridesmaids and reads out any telegrams or cards from absent guests

Traditions

The Wedding Bouquet

In olden days, this was made up of strong smelling herbs to frighten away evil spirits.

Throwing of Old Shoes

Was the traditional way of transferring the responsibility of the Bride's father to her new husband - now best kept alive by tying shoes to the back of cars.

Tossing the Rice

Believing the newlyweds brought good luck, they were showered with nuts and grains to ensure a bountiful harvest and many children to work the land. This became the throwing of rice and now throwing of confetti.

Toast and Speeches

These would normally take place at the end of the meal and would accompany the cutting and distribution of the wedding cake.

The following is the usual order of proceedings:

• The Bride and Bridegroom cut the cake.
• Toast to "The Bride and Bridegroom" - this is normally proposed by the Bride's father or a closer relative or friend of the family.
• Toast to "The Bridesmaids" - this is always proposed by the Bridegroom following his response to the first toast.
• The Best Man would then respond to the Bridegroom's speech on behalf of the Bridesmaids. He would also read the telegrams to the guests.

Flowers and their Meanings

• Apple Blossom - Better things to come
• Camelia - Graditude
• Carnation - Fascination and love
• Chrysanthemum - Red - I love you
• Chrysanthemum - White - Truth
• Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness
• Daffodil - Regard
• Daisy - Innocence
• Fern - Fascination and sincerity
• Flowering Almond - Hope
• Forget-me-not - True love and remembrance
• Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness
• Honeysuckle - Generosity
• Hyacinth - Loveliness
• Hydrangea - Boastfulness
• Iris - Warmth of affection
• Ivy - Eternal fidelity
• Japonica - Loveliness
• Jasmine - Amiability
• Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love
• Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence
• Lily - Majesty
• Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness
• Magnolia - Perseverance
• Maidenhair - Discretion
• Mimosa - Sensitivity
• Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity
• Peach Blossom - Captive
• Rose (red) - Love
• Rose (yellow) - Friendship
• Rose (coral) - Desire
• Rose (peach) - Modesty
• Rose (dark pink) - Thankfulness
• Rose (pale pink) - Grace
• Rose (orange) - Fascination
• Rose (white) - Innocence
• Rosemary - Remembrance
• Snowdrop - Hope
• Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures
• Tulip - Love
• Veronica - Fidelity
• Violet - Faithfulness

Anniversaries To Celebrate