Things Needed to Plan a Wedding Reception
Planning a wedding is an exciting and happy time. You've probably thought quite a bit about where you want to hold the wedding, your dress and your vows. An equal amount of time must be put into planning your wedding reception. This is where your guests will go to mingle after the wedding, and proper planning ensures that the party is one they won't soon forget.
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The Venue
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Before anything else, you must decide where you want to hold your wedding reception. This largely depends on how many people you're going to invite. If you plan to have hundreds of people, for instance, you will need a very large ballroom. Smaller parties can be more flexible. You may be able to rent out a dining hall in a hotel, restaurant or country club. Some receptions are also held outside, in parks or gardens. Find out how much seating is available, the area capacity and the hours the location is open. You'll also need to know if staff will be available to serve your guests. If not, you may need to hire your own servers.
Food and Drink
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Virtually all wedding receptions offer some kind of food for guests. This is where you will serve your wedding cake. You'll need to choose the menu, and whether you want the meal to be a single plate or a buffet. If you have the reception at a hotel or restaurant, they will probably serve the food for you. If you choose, you may also hire a caterer to bring food to the event. Consider whether you'll have an open bar at the location, or make guests pay for their own beverages. You may also wish to include non-alcoholic drinks, like soda, juice or bottled water. Most wedding receptions also have a champagne toast.
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Tables and Utensils
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Find out whether your venue is going to provide you with tables and seating. If not, or if you're holding the reception in an outdoor location, you may need to bring your own. Bring extra chairs in case a few unexpected guests arrive. Clubs and hotels usually provide you with plates and utensils for the meal, but they may not. Also check on whether to bring your own glasses and napkins.
Decorations and Entertainment
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Most reception venues won't provide you with decorations or entertainment. You need to consider what theme or colors to use to decorate the venue. Visit a party supply store to get an idea of the kinds of decorations available. If you want flowers, you usually need to place an order several weeks before the reception.
In addition, think about what type of entertainment you wish to have. Many people choose to have a DJ or band at their reception. If you want the reception to be relaxed and casual, you may want to hire a pianist instead. Whomever you hire, find out what they are bringing with them and what is included in their fee. If you have a wedding photographer, find out if they'll cover your reception, too. If not, you probably want to hire one to document this event.
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References
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