Wedding Receptions

WEDDING RECEPTIONS

HOW TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE RECEPTION

  Your wedding reception can be a bit nerve-racking. Especially if you are not used to being the centre of attention. Everyone will want to talk to you and it will just be sinking in that you are now man and wife. But before we get to this part there is the planning and here is my first piece of advice: relax. It will all be okay, it really will.

  Once you have your venue planning your reception will get easier. You will know the space you have to work with and you should also know the rough amount of guests that will be attending. So now you can get creative and add personal touches that will make your wedding day memorable to your guests - Wichita Falls Wedding Photography. Look in bridal magazines, blogs and Pinterest for some ideas and start putting the feel of your wedding together. Ask the venue if there are any restrictions on decoration and then go for it. You could ask the venue manager what works with the venue and what other couples have done but make sure they don’t try to push you into doing something you don’t want to do. This is about the personal style of you and your groom to be. Another thing to check with the venue is what they supply and what they don’t. It is better to get a clear view from the start so you know what you are dealing with. Check out how long the venue takes to set up and break things down. If their seats are grubby then think about hiring some seat covers. Also check if the venue has other events that day. Enquire if you have to use the venue’s suppliers. They might not be to your style. Some venues will charge you extra if you do not go with their suppliers so watch out for this. If you don’t like something in the venue ask if it can be removed for the day. Another thing to ask is where the top table should go and if there is any air-conditioning or heating.

  If your venue has a drive lighting it with candles is a good touch. As is waiters with drinks at the entrance. A guest book is not only a wonderful personal touch, giving guest a chance to express their happiness for you both, but also something that you can keep for years to come.

  Not many guests bring their gift to the actual wedding anymore but it is still a good idea to have a table somewhere where guests can put their cards, presents and sign the guestbook. This is also a good place to put the seating plan. A basket is also a good idea and makes it easier to transport the contents. A box or an old suitcase would work just as well and would be even better if you could decorate it. Make sure you get a trusted wedding party member to take the box/basket at the end of the night. It goes without saying but don’t open your cards or wedding presents at the reception, it isn’t appropriate.

  Getting a member of the wedding party to encourage people to leave personal message in the guestbook is a good idea. I asked my husband’s best man to mention it in his speech and my amazing maid of honour, Paloma, also hounded people for me. We love our guestbook and the messages inside it mean so much to us. Guestbooks don’t have to be expensive. Many stationery stores sell them but you could also buy a good hardback notebook or buy a cheap one online.

  Lighting is very important. Try to visit your venue at the same time you will be having your wedding. Knowing what the lighting will be like lets you know what needs done. Discuss lighting with the venue. Do they supply candles? Do they change the lighting throughout the day? Will they dim the lights during the first dance?

  If you want props like candelabras and vases but don’t want to buy them then you could rent them from a prop shop or an antique shop. Just make sure you have someone return the items so you don’t run up any extra fees and make sure that renting is not more expensive than buying. Remember that you can sell anything you don’t want after your wedding on eBid or eBay.

  It is possible that you will get very excited about the reception and doing things for it but do remember it is a wedding. The best way to decorate your venue is with flowers and candles. You should not feel pressured to do anything else unless you want to. As long as there is some music, nice flowers, some candles and food and drink then your guests can entertain themselves and will happily do so. If you want to add honeycombs, balloons and magicians to your wedding do so, but don’t feel you have to spend every second entertaining your guests. They will probably be happy to just mingle and then dance later.

 Drinks Reception

  If you do not want people boozing too early then you can start them off with some tea and coffee, along with some water and sparkling elderflower. We did this as we wanted to pace our guests. Although we did see some guests with beer and wine which made me feel like a bad hostess. I didn’t expect them to go to the bar but I guess they didn’t realise the wine would be flowing so soon after. We also had tea and coffee after the meal as it is a great digestive and people will probably appreciate it after they have had so much wine during the wedding breakfast. It also felt very civilised.

 Welcoming Guests

  A receiving line, where the bride and groom used to receive certain members of the wedding party, is a bit outdated but you can still do it if you want. If you are having a big wedding you might want to cut the receiving line down to a certain number of key wedding people: mother-of-the-bride, mother-of-the-groom etc.  Although these people you will already have seen on a regular basis anyway. Receiving lines are a bit outdated now so you can forgo them and then make your rounds at the reception.

  You may want a master of ceremonies if the venue does not already supply one. You could have a family member do it or allocate certain times to the best man, maid of honour and ushers if you would like. If you have a small wedding it will be easier to keep things in check but if not, a master of ceremonies will make sure everything runs on time and let people know what is happening. If you don’t have a member of the wedding party or a family member making sure things run on time then the cost of a master of ceremonies may be worth it. They will help things run smoothly and also ensure that things run on time. Make sure that anyone given the task will be organised and hold off on the drinking. Give them all of the details they will need and buy them a present after.