Reception questions, blessing? formal departure?

Wow! I have never heard of a blessing in a reception, unless it is a very religious couple who would normally say grace before meals. Unless your relatives regularly say grace before meals, I doubt anyone would miss it.

As for the formal departure, the old rule was that the couple had to be the first ones to leave, because that was the signal that other guests were allowed to leave. However, that rule is very old indeed--at my first wedding, in 1977, my mother told me I had to leave first, but there was in fact a mass exodus before I did. These days, the only reason I can see to do an early departure would be if you wanted to have people throw rice, blow bubbles, light sparklers, etc. as you left, and you wanted to make sure there would still be enough people there to do it. Otherwise, I'd say to stay and enjoy yourselves.

I have been to weddings where there was a blessing at the beginning of the reception (just before eating), usually by the same officiant that performed the ceremony. Each time I experienced this it was after a religious service and it was done by the pastor who performed the ceremony. As far as a formal departure, hells no!!! I've never seen this done unless the bride & groom were rushing off to their honeymoon THAT night! It's your party, live it up!

As far as the departure she suggested doing the sparklers outside, I think that would be fun but why do it a half hour before the reception ends? If I do it right at the end it will work out too. I really think everyone would leave. And we are not going anywhere, we are staying at the hotel and probably meeting up with the bridal party to keep partying after the reception so it's kind of silly! I am really thinking they suggest a half hour before to speed up the clean up and things. She said the DJ would keep playing and people can stay but I don't see that happening once we are gone.

I wouldn't worry about offending some guests by not having a blessing. I've only really seen blessings at the reception if the minister/priest who officiated is also at the reception. If you like the idea of having a blessing, go for it, but I wouldn't feel pressured into it.

I also agree that the early formal departure is outdated. I think in the past, the bride and groom were anxious to head out for their wedding night, if you know what I mean? The sparklers idea could be cute if you do it at the very end.

I have been to weddings where there is a blessing said just before the meal. It is done by the minister or anyone else who wants to say grace. One time the grooms dad said the blessing. There is nothing that says you have to though.

A half-hour will go by so quickly. By the time you gather up what you're taking with you, while your parents or coordinator gather up the rest of the stuff that is to be kept, say good-byes, etc. -- the half-hour will be gone!

We end up seeing a blessing at about 50-60% of the weddings we do, just prior to the meal. Sometimes the blessing is done by someone other than a pastor, just saying "thanks" for everyone being safe and together for the joyous occasion. Oftentimes it is done by a patriarch or matriarch of one of the families.

As far as a formal departure, I don't think I've seen more than one or two in over 15 years of being a DJ.

I would say these are both very personal choices and you don't HAVE to do either one.

My dad bought a bicycle built for two that him and my step mom were supposed to leave on a little while before the ceremony ended.. but then ended up just riding around in a circle and coming back because they were not ready to leave yet...