In days gone by, it was traditional for the bride and groom to make their getaway from the wedding reception about an hour before the event was over. When the couple left the reception, they would head off to their honeymoon and soon the party would wind down with all the guests leaving the reception as well.
Things have changed in recent years, the new couple often stays until the very end of the wedding reception and they normally don’t leave for their honeymoon on the night of the weddings. Oftentimes the newlyweds are the last ones to leave the reception and stay in town for a few nights to relax after the stresses of their wedding. Sometimes the day after the wedding, the new couple holds a brunch with immediate family and out of town guests to thank them for being part of the wedding.
Even if you don’t leave the reception early, you should do a fake staged farewell from the wedding reception for a photo opportunity. Arrange with your photographer to take pictures of the couple leaving the reception site — this is a time when the guests can throw flower petals, blow bubbles or toss birdseed (if it wasn’t done already when they left the ceremony site). The photographer and/or videographer should film the couple getting into their car with the “Just Married” sign. Even if the bride and groom comes right back into the reception, this is fun photo opp that will look great in your wedding album for years to come.
