Ceremony to Reception

The ceremony is over! Now for the next step - the reception

Your limousine is waiting, your driver pours some champagne, and away you go. Off to the first location for your photos... but where is everyone?? Some of the family and friends specially asked to be here have not arrived!
Oh wait, here they come, packed in the front seat of your cousin Joe's new two seater sports car.

Does this really happen? Unfortunately, yes!!
Quite often no-one organises transport to the church for the Bride's Mum!

• Make sure the bridal party and parents all have rides to the reception, as well as any special 'out of towners' or grandparents you would like to be part of the photographs. Let the bridal party know who their driver is and what type of car they are riding in.
• When hiring a Limousine, inspect the car first. Check out any hinges that could have oil or grease on them, and be sure that the driver will cover the wheels when the bride is getting in - black marks on a wedding gown are not a good look! If you are being married in the middle of summer, does the wonderful old car have air conditioning?
• Check the time the Limousine takes to get from point A to point B. Because there are no safety belts being worn, they must legally travel much slower.
• Is there something other than alcohol for people to eat and drink while waiting for photos? A tipsy bridal party does not impress wedding guests at the reception a little later. Plenty of cold water is great on a hot day.
• Be sure there are enough champagne, wine and beer glasses.
• Be sure to take the fly spray / sunburn cream / hats and sunnies, and also a jacket for days when the weather could turn cold. And, in the winter months, a collection of 'beautiful brollies' will look great in the photos!
• Be sure to mail the driver directions and maps. Do not rely on 'I know where that is'. Check the exact location of the spots you have chosen with the photographer and make sure that all concerned have a written list with time and address to ensure that no one is running late or gets lost.
• A mobile home or bus is a fun way to travel together and you can have your own cocktail hour while pictures are being taken. There is more room than a car and you have a bathroom along for the ride. Sometimes these mobile homes come at very competitive prices. For something different, check it out!
• Horse and Buggy. An old traditional way of cruising to the reception. Great for the bride and groom along with the flower girl and ring bearer. Be prepared for a slower trip and keep the weather in mind. And also make sure that the rest of the party understand the timing so they don't become concerned the bride and groom are not there when the rest of the party is.
• Take care of each other. Arrive at the reception venue clean and not covered in sand and dirt. Do not have the photo shoot too energetic on a hot day - wedding gowns and suits are hot and perspiration can be a real issue on these special garments. Make sure that the 'emergency bag' has spare stockings, talc powder, fly spray, deoderant disprin, bandaids etc.
• And most importantly...your guests have waited long enough to see you both and congratulate you and share your first meal as man and wife together...so please arrive at the reception venue on time!
  

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