Reception, dance and gifts
The first dance, the money dance, the cake, the envelopes and the long night of dancing.
Reception is when the formal part ends and the party begins. There are speeches, a first dance, the cutting of the cake, the money dance, the gift envelopes and long hours of music. It is a mix of the traditional and the new, and it usually decides how the day is remembered.
Speeches and first dance
In Britain speeches come from the father of the bride, the groom and the best man. In Ireland the father and the best man speak, and in Germany a friend performs a skit. In Greece and the Balkans, a circle dance like the kalamatianos opens the floor. The first dance may be a waltz, a pop song or a choreographed set.
Money and gifts
The money dance is performed in the Philippines, Poland and Greece, where guests pin banknotes on the couple. In Jewish and Arab weddings, guests may give cash. In China and Vietnam, red envelopes are given at the door. In Nigeria spraying cash on dancers is common, though it is regulated in some places. In the West gifts come from a registry or a honeymoon fund.
The end of the night
Weddings end with a last dance, a bouquet or garter toss, a sparkler exit or the couple's departure in a decorated car. In India the vidaai marks the bride's emotional departure from her parents' home.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on Reception, dance and gifts (stage of the wedding). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇬🇧 United KingdomQuaichcuach
A shallow two-handled cup used in Scottish weddings to share a drink and symbolise union.Feast custom · The ceremony
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreWedding breakfast
The post-ceremony feast served to the couple and their guests in British English usage.Feast custom · The ceremony
🇭🇺 HungaryVőfély
The Hungarian wedding host who guides the couple through rites, speeches, and traditions.Family role · Finding a match
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreGroomsman
A male attendant who supports the groom and assists guests at a wedding.Family role · Finding a match
🇮🇸 IcelandIcelandic weddings
A blend of church ceremony and multi-day feasting that marks the union of two people in Iceland.Feast custom · The ceremony
🇷🇺 RussiaRussian wedding traditionsРусская свадьба
A multi-day celebration blending Orthodox crowning, ransom games, and lively toasting in Russia.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
🇵🇱 Poland and 6 moreKolachколач (kolach), калач (kalach), kołacz, colac, kalács
A braided or ring-shaped bread that marks weddings and major holidays across Eastern Europe.Feast custom · Engagement and betrothal
🇵🇱 Poland and 1 moreBadchenבּדחן (badkhn)
The Ashkenazi Jewish wedding entertainer and master of ceremonies who guides the couple through ritual stages with song Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇬🇷 Crete, GreeceSoustaΣούστα
A Greek courtship dance performed at weddings to display romance and agility.Performance · Procession and arrival
🇭🇷 CroatiaNijemo kolo
A silent Croatian folk dance where couples move in a circle without music.Performance · The ceremony
🇷🇴 Romania and 5 moreKlezmerקלעזמער
The instrumental dance music played by Ashkenazi Jewish musicians at weddings in Eastern Europe and beyondPerformance · Engagement and betrothal
🇷🇴 Romania and 5 moreKlezmerקלעזמער
The instrumental wedding music of Ashkenazi Jews, blending Eastern European and Jewish ritual melodies.Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇬🇧 Edinburgh, United Kingdom and 5 moreScottish country dance
A social group dance where couples trace progressive patterns to traditional Scottish musicPerformance · Reception, dance and gifts
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Quaich: Robin-wood, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Klezmer: Syrena Records (Warsaw), Public domain, source
- Wedding breakfast: Arpingstone, Public domain, source
- Sousta: psyberartist, CC BY 2.0, source
- Groomsman: Jenny Mealing, CC BY 2.0, source
- Russian wedding traditions: GeorgeLouis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Kolach: Лобачев Владимир, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Badchen: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Klezmer: Unknown artist identified as "M.D.", Public domain, source
- Nijemo kolo: Outrageous zone, CC BY 3.0, source
- Scottish country dance: © James F. Perry, CC BY-SA 3.0, source