Answers to your questions about toasting, timing, and traditional reception rites and rituals.
By: Diane Forden, Editor-in-ChiefQ: My wedding ceremony begins at 1 p.m. and my reception does not start until 5 p.m. What should I do with the guests in the interim, particularly those who do not live nearby?
A: First, relax. This is an increasingly common situation, and it's likely that your guests have experienced it before. It would be nice if someone from your or your fiancé's family invited guests to their home for coffee or drinks in between the ceremony and the reception. It does not have to be a family responsibility, however. Perhaps a neighbor who has been offering to help can do the honors. It need not be anything fancy—just a place to drop by and gather. And to keep guests from wondering where to go, consider including a separate card with your invitations asking them to join the hosts immediately following the ceremony. Don't forget to add the address of this gathering. If someone's home is not available, appoint a few friends or relatives to inform guests that everyone will be meeting at a particular bar or restaurant.
