Definition of "reception"?

PJSPJS

I am a bit confused about what part of a wedding is the "reception." Following the ceremony, we're having a cocktail hour and then guests will go into the room where dinner will be. There's dinner, toasts, and then I suppose that after dinner people will linger, drink, dance, etc. Is everything following the ceremony the reception? Is the reception technically after cocktail hour? Is dinner part of the reception or a separate component?

Thanks!

jessicabessica

The reception is the party--cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, etc.  If you're asking because you want to know what counts if your venue has a time limit, I would just clarify with the venue to make sure you know when the clock starts.

em01092

Ditto PPs. The reception is the thank you to the guests for coming to your wedding. 

alithebride

all of that.

QueerFemme

Everything after the ceremony is the "reception".   People come to the ceremony, witness your wedding and vows to each other... and then you host those same people at the reception.  So, the cocktail hour, the food, the dancing, the socializing and mingling are all components of the reception. 

LuckyHeather

I agree with PP, however our venue considers the “Reception” the cocktail hour, and the Dinner/Dancing just “Dinner/Dancing”.  I was very confused when I went through the contract the first time.  The venue coordinator kept correcting me when I called it a “Cocktail Hour”.  But that is what we are calling it.  Talk to your venue.