Planning the Perfect Wedding Reception

Too often, couples spend lots of time and money arranging their wedding, and leave the wedding reception as an afterthought. But this is a really big mistake, as your guests will normally spend much more time at the wedding reception than at the ceremony itself. 

In fact your wedding reception could be the highlight of the entire day. While wedding ceremonies tend to be formal and less personal, wedding receptions can be unique, informal and fun.

Choosing an appropriate wedding reception venue will be your first major decision. The reception hall you decide upon will set the tone for the reception, and there are several points to consider in order to make the best choice.

First, your venue needs to match the theme and motif of your wedding. For formal church weddings, a formal, black tie reception would be appropriate. But for beach-themed weddings, the black tie affair wouldn’t work at all. Think of the reception as an extension of the wedding ceremony. You want to expand on the same theme and tone that your ceremony sets.

Start Searching Yesterday!

No matter while style or theme you decide on for your wedding reception, it is critical that you begin searching for a venue right away (if not sooner!). It is shocking how far in advance many popular wedding reception venues are booked, and this is especially true for the spring and summer months. If you have a favorite venue in mind, put down this article right now and call them--it really is that important. If your wedding date is not set yet, be sure to contact the venue just as soon as your date is finalized.

Remember, when it comes to venues, call early and call often to reconfirm. You don’t want to get stuck without a location for your wedding reception.

Reception Decorations

After you have chosen a venue, choosing appropriate decorations becomes your next job. You will want to plan out the decorations carefully to make your wedding reception unique and enjoyable for all.

Your decoration theme for the reception should begin where the ceremony left off.  Continuing and expanding on the same basic theme as your wedding will ensure a smooth progression through the day for your guests and create a special continuity that sets your wedding apart.

The colors are particularly important, and although it is not necessary to use the exact same color motif as the wedding ceremony, staying within the same general color scheme will create the smoothest transition from ceremony to reception.

Finally, your choice of music can make or break your reception. Before making any decisions in this area, consider your audience; what will be the median age of your guests? Are your older guests likely to stay for the reception or high-tail it home right out of the church? Of course, you’ll also want to consider your personal taste when deciding on music. At the end of the day, it is your wedding.

The reception can be the high point of your wedding day, offering a chance for friends and loved ones to gather informally and “let their hair down.” With proper planning and attention, you can create a beautiful wedding reception that will be remembered fondly for many years to come.