reception
rih-SEP-shun
/rɪˈsep.ʃən/
A formal social occasion held to welcome guests after a wedding ceremony.
While 'party' is informal, 'reception' implies a structured event with specific traditions like speeches and a meal.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'receptionem', from 'recipere', meaning 'to take back' or 'to receive'. It is the moment the couple 'receives' their community for the first time as a married unit.
Word relationships
- banquet: A banquet focuses specifically on the formal meal; a reception includes the whole social gathering.
- celebration: Celebration is a broader term for any happy event.
Commonly confused with
- ceremony: The ceremony is the legal/religious ritual; the reception is the party that follows.
Word family
- receive (verb): To welcome or greet guests.
- receptionist (noun): A person who greets visitors.
Collocations
- wedding reception
- reception hall
- drinks reception
Example sentences
- "The wedding reception was held in a beautifully decorated ballroom." Describing the event details.
- "We were greeted with champagne at the reception immediately following the ceremony." Focusing on the hospitality aspect.
Memory hook
Reception is where you 'Receive' your guests. Receive the guests at the reception.
When not to use
Don't use it for a casual night out at a bar after the wedding; that's an 'after-party'.
Fun facts
- In the 19th century, receptions were often held at the bride's home and were much shorter than modern versions.
Explore more words
receptive, broadcast, audience, attuned, hospitality, perception
Also appears in
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