Wedding Etiquette

The Top Table, Speeches and Traditions 

The question of who sits at the top table, and in what order, is one which can cause family upsets if the traditional pattern is not followed,so, to help avoid any problems, we have listed the accepted seating plans for 10 and 8 people respectively. Although you can break with tradition entirely and have a circular top table. 

Toasts and Speeches

These would normally take place at the end of the meal just after the cutting of the wedding cake. The following is the usual order of proceedings:

The bride's father, or close family friend, proposes a toast to the bride and groom.

The bridegroom replies, gives thanks to both sets of parents for the reception, thanks the attending guests and proposes a toast to the bridesmaids.

The best man then responds to the bridegroom's speech on behalf of the bridesmaids. He also reads any telemessages, emails and cards from guests who are unable to attend