Planning Your Reception

Regardless of the type of wedding reception you wish to have, taking the time to plan and work out all the details of what needs to be done is very important. This advice applies whether you are planning a small intimate gathering of a few close friends and family after the ceremony or if you want a lavish reception.

Couples are often surprised at the amount of time and effort involved in personalizing and organizing a perfect reception, which needs to be done several months in advance. The following tips are intended to guide you through some of the wedding reception details that you will need to address.

Begin By Pre-Planning and Organizing

Before you start any wedding reception planning make sure you know your exact budget. There is no point in organizing a lavish reception for 200 people if your budget only allows for a small toned-down gathering of 50 people. Your budget will not only include the cost of the reception venue, but also the food, favors, decorations, music, cake, table linens and tableware, any additional entertainment, etc. The reception will take the largest chunk of your budget.

I also strongly recommend that you purchase a good wedding planner book to walk you step-by-step through the wedding planning process. These books provide some great information on details that you might miss or not even think of. Plus, they provide you with a place to record and store all wedding information for quick retrieval.

One of the cheapest (since it's free) ways to find out more about what's involved in planning a wedding reception is to start by talking to friends and family about their wedding experiences. Write down any advice and tips they might give, as well as references to caterers, DJ's, etc. Word of mouth is often the best way to locate exactly what you're looking for.

Choosing a Location

Deciding on where to hold your wedding reception can often times make a key difference in how well it goes... and how fondly it's remembered by you and your guests. Take your time with this. Get recommendations and check out all venues thoroughly.

Be aware that the number of available locations will be much more limited for weekends and certain times of the year... often popular spots are booked a year in advance. You may wish to consider having your wedding during an "off-wedding" month, such as January or during the week, rather than on a weekend. Cost wise, it will be much cheaper as well.

While at each reception location there are several details that you should pay attention to. Available nearby parking, adequate bathroom facilities, cleanliness of the location, and ample room for dinner and dancing… these are just some of the things you will need to look at.

Familiarize yourself with the location to learn what can and can not be done, especially in terms of decorating.

Keep a list of all locations and facilities that you visit and try to get a floor plan of the building. This will certainly help you out when you are deciding on the arrangement of tables, DJ or band stand, where to place the cake table, etc. Make sure you also get all prices quoted and contact details in writing.

The Nitty-Gritty Reception Details

There are many details that you need to attend to such as your seating arrangements, coordinating table linens to match your theme, finding a baker to make your wedding cake, whether to use a decorator or not, and who to use for entertainment.

Make a list of everything that needs to be taken care of then start delegating some of the tasks to your attendants and family members. Keep in mind that some flexibility is essential in the planning process too.

Decorating is an important part of your overall wedding plans. Make a list of the various types of decorations you'll need such as table centerpieces, balloon bouquets, and specific theme items.

One of the other most significant aspects of planning your wedding reception is the meal that will be served. You will need to decide if it will be a full-course sit-down dinner or a buffet. If you're planning a low-key, intimate reception with family and close friends, plan on food and drink that is less formal and more fun.

Once you think you have everything planned out on paper, take the time to walk through the event from start to finish. For example, what will everyone be doing when they first arrive at the reception? When will guests be seated for dinner? What will happen during the meal? When will you cut the cake? When does the dancing begin? By going through each aspect of what will happen at the reception, you will be assured that you've taken care of all the details.

A Few Other Reception Tips

Keep your guests updated in regards to any changes to wedding details throughout the planning process. A good way to do this is to register with a personal wedding website. New details can be added and quickly updated, which family members and guests can then quickly access online.

Delegate, delegate, delegate! Try to get other people to help out as much as possible. This will take a large load of errands off your back and all you need to do is supervise the process. Having fun and being relaxed is what you’re aiming for.

Hopefully, the above guidance and advice will give you some direction and inspiration as you plan your own special and personalized wedding reception.

About the Author:
(c)2006. Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you plan your perfect theme wedding. Read more about how to personalize your wedding reception details