Monogamy Monday- UK vs USA Part III (final part)

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Well this has been fun guys.

I love hearing your reactions to some of the differences in wedding culture between the US and UK

(the party-only invite thing definitely received the best reaction)

and I like that you all can get an idea of some of the things 

that will or will not be incorporated

 into our June wedding.

For those attending and reading this blog,

maybe you will be less confused now when the ceremony doesn't end when the minister says

"you may now kiss the bride,"

so...you know...

don't try and leave the church after that.

This is the last installment of the differences,

at least for now, 

I may come across some other ones as we move along in this process.

Reception differences:

Drinks Reception/Champagne Reception (UK)/ Cocktail Hour (US):

Most of the time, there is a long break or gap between the wedding ceremony and the drinks reception.

Guests are usually invited to a family members house for tea and coffee before heading over to the venue for cocktail hour.

Top Table:

At the top table is, in this order, (traditionally..not always) from far left to right if you are facing the table:

Father of the groom, mother of the bride, best man, groom, bride, chief bridesmaid, mother of the groom, father of the bride.

(*we are doing it a bit differently, in that the parents will sit next to each other and I am having all three of my bridesmaids at the top table).

Speeches:

***Traditionally*** this is how speeches are done, but everyone can do what they please, of course.

Women do not give speeches. 

Speeches are given by the father of the bride, the father of the groom, the groom, and the best man.

I, personally, like this and we are keeping it this way.

I find it keeps the speeches from dragging out,

and I especially love that the groom gives a speech,

something that is not usually done in the USA.

You can open the floor for others to say something,

but I am not a fan and have yet to see that go down well.

Reading of the cards:

In the UK someone is designated (usually the best man) to read cards from those who could not make it to the wedding;

A friend overseas, a relative who wasn't able, etc.

I personally don't care for this idea,

and we will not be doing this.

I just find it to be awkward and it creates a weird lull in the reception.
Plus lets be real,
people get bored.

Givings Gifts:

In the UK, at some point in the speeches, the bride and groom give the mother of the bride, 

and mother of the groom a gift, and any grandmothers if present.

It is usually a big bouquet of flowers,

or flowers from the church,

etc.

It is such a lovely gesture, and we will be doing this.

After dinner:

After everyone has finished eating, everyone clears out of the room so the band and whoever can set up.

I have found this so strange, since typically in the US the band is already set up and ready to go when you arrive into the room.
You will rarely, if ever, have a DJ playing before the dinner or set up before/during the dinner,
and there definitely is not a first dance before the dinner.

I am still coming to terms with this,
since I just don't like when there are long lulls during the reception.

It's looking like there is no other way to do it though.

Then once the band is set up and the room is ready,

everyone comes back in for the bride and grooms first dance and party time.

Father/Daughter Dance:

This is a USA thing. 

Stephen has only heard of it and seen it done once at a wedding out here.

My little bro (who is acting as my dad ) and I might put a little something together and break this tradition. 

We may or may not be known for having excellent coreographed dance moves.

Bride and Groom Exit:
You know that moment in the USA where the bride and groom run, dance, skip,
past all of their guests while their guests hold fireworks (i forget what those things are called)
or throw petals or rice?
Then they drive away into the sunset?
USA thing.
From what ive seen out here,
the band stops playing and everyone just stumbles off to their hotel room,
or continues drinking at a nearby pub or bar or house
(it's the UK..duh).

Bride and Groom Exit Dance:
However, in the UK, specifically N.Ireland and scotland,
there is a traditional dance or something that people do to sort of send off the bride and groom.
In Scotland everyone holds hands in a circle, with the bride and groom in the center,
and some traditional scottish song comes on and they all dance and sing.
it is FUN.
We are definitely going to try and do something like this.


Alright, what about you?
Love it? Hate it?