When it comes to weddings, many couples decide to plow the majority of their time, effort, and money into planning the perfect wedding reception. Even those who choose to elope for the legal part of the ceremony often still have a wedding reception on their return – it is the fun part, after all. It also makes a lot more sense as the ceremony itself usually lasts no more than forty minutes, but the reception lasts all through the afternoon, evening, and well into the night.
There is a lot of planning involved to make sure it does not feel like any old meal and party. There is the careful consideration of the meals and seating plan, indoor and outdoor entertainment, food and drinks, the wedding band, the cutting of the cake, the first dance, and the dancing until the early hours. It is lots of planning, but get it right and it will be the reception that everyone remembers for many years to come.
But what do you do to lift your reception from good to ‘oh my gosh?’ Let’s take a look.
Consider your venue
Of course, this may depend on where you have your ceremony as many have it as a package. However, if you are having a completely separate ceremony and reception, think about having it somewhere a little different and unique. Most people opt for hotels, social clubs, or bars, but there is nothing to stop you from having a marquee on a field, your back yard if you are lucky enough to have a big one, or any other privately owned land or property. Make sure that you have somewhere to sit and eat and relax, a bar – you can hire mobile bars – and entertainment, as well as making it is accessible to all of your guests and there are enough toilets!
Think about the food
The food is a significant part of most wedding receptions. There is usually a formal sit down wedding breakfast, consisting of at least three courses, with a wedding cake and a buffet on the night. That is USUALLY – the traditional way of doing it. Who said you have to follow tradition though? If that is not your thing, look at having a hog roast buffet, build your own pizza bar, a burger station, or an afternoon tea. Just make sure you provide enough food; the last thing you want is your guests drinking lots of alcohol on an empty stomach.
How will you entertain them?
Wedding guests are demanding. In between things like the first dance and the cutting of the cake, they want to be entertained. In the daytime, you could look at things like lawn games – giant Jenga, hook a duck, and themed regulation Cornhole boards games can be fun and gets people talking. When it comes to the evening, a live band followed by a DJ playing your favorite tunes all night is always a winner. You could have anything though – karaoke booths, photo booths, fireworks, cocktail making, selfie mirrors, bingo – whatever floats your boat!
Create a Dance Floor
Having a designated place for people to dance makes it an easy way for everyone to get up and get moving. Instead of renting an expensive dance floor, place a couple rugs on the ground that match your motif. You can customize from Bohemian to Vintage style rugs.
Personalize it
Even with the above tips, it can be difficult to make a reception really stand out, so find a way of really incorporating who you and your future husband or wife to be into it. Your reception should reflect who you are as people, as a couple, and your hopes and dreams for the future. Live by the coast? Why not have a beach-themed reception?
Create a photo wall
Your wedding day is a huge milestone in your relationship, so why don’t you take a nostalgic trip by showing some meaningful photos? We love the idea of a designated photo wall or a photo table, filled with important images that tell a story from your history.
You can include photos of you and your partner as children, your favorite holiday snapshots, milestone moments – even photos of your parents at their very own weddings. This is also a lovely place to pay tribute to any family members who are no longer able to join you on the day, by displaying a precious photo that you love to look back on.
Go with what you want
Finally, but most importantly, remember that this is your special day. Sure, plan a day that your guests will enjoy, but plan a day that YOU will enjoy most of all. If you want to ditch all conventions and traditions, do it. If you want to follow the wedding rule book, do it. It is your wedding.
