Bride Guide #57 is everything you need to know about both a Wedding Celebration vs. a Reception by Logan City UT Wedding Photographer Lauren Kay Photography.

The moment when you are married is honestly so quick. Having a celebration really helps your marriage
feel like an event and provides that closure for you and your loved ones. It’s also an amazing chance to
celebrate you and your groom with those closest to you. Enjoy being the star of the show! At every
other wedding you go to, you will always be a guest. Enjoy being the bride and groom this time.

Celebration Versus a Reception

I have seen this time and time again, and we did it too. We didn’t want to be stuck in a line greeting
random people our whole wedding, so we chose not to have a line and tried to make it more relaxed
and informal.

The problem is not the line.

The problem is who you are inviting. Remember how we talked about not inviting a ton of random
people? That’s where it starts. If you only have people at your wedding who you are close to, it doesn’t

matter if you have a line or not! You can have your guests come to you or go around and mingle with all
the people you love and care about. Reminisce, chat, and truly have a meaningful celebration.

A reception is where you invite all sorts of people – people from your church, acquaintances from school,
teachers, your parents’ friends and associates. A celebration is where you spend your time celebrating
with the people you and your groom are closest to.

And it should be a celebration! Eat, share speeches and stories, dance, laugh, cry, celebrate. Some
couples even play games or watch a slideshow with their guests. Do whatever would make it a special
event and celebration for the two of you.

Like I’ve said, if you or your parents want to do a reception, I would recommend doing it on a day other
than your wedding day. However, remember what I said about personalities? Maybe your personality is
to have a huge party with everyone you’ve ever known. If that would be meaningful for both you and
your groom, then by all means, go for it.

If you need a planner or someone to help you out with organizing the celebration/ reception click here: https://laurenkayphoto.com/vendors, https://brideaccess.com/

The Celebration:

● Dinner or Lunch – 30 minutes
o You can choose to invite only the close-knit group at your ceremony/sealing to the lunch or
dinner. Or you can open it up to everyone you want at the celebration. This depends on
your personality and budget.

● Speeches -15-30 minutes
o About 30 minutes into the dinner or lunch, start the speeches or open-mic time. This should
last around 15-30 minutes.

● Mingling, Cake Cutting, and Dancing – 60-120 minutes
o If you have extra guests who were not invited to the dinner or lunch, this is the time they
should arrive. Serve dessert.
o You can mingle with your guests before or after the cake cutting and dancing, it’s up to you.
o If you’re doing sunset pictures, they should happen during this time.
o If you’re doing a garter or some sort of bouquet toss, it should happen during this time.

● Exit

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