We love the beauty of the formal wedding ceremony, but many look forward even more to the wedding reception. So if you are planning a wedding, don't go all out when it comes to the ceremony, but overlook attention to detail in the wedding party planning. It deserves equal attention. Every effort should be made to make the wedding reception a perfect complement to the formal ceremony.Arranging a location for your reception should be one of the very first concerns, as many banquet halls are booked many months, sometimes over a year in advance. Your decision must factor in your budget, facility size, facility features, parking, distance from the wedding site, food packages offered, etc. Regardless, you'll need to move forward with this promptly as, depending on availability of potential sites, you may not even be able to set a wedding date until you book your reception hall.
Next give attention to your guest list. The ceremony may be by open invitation; however, your budget may limit the reception to an invitation only event. Therefore, couples must early on cooperate together and determine whom they want to invite. They must show each other consideration so each will be able to include their individual friends and relatives.
Thereafter its time to start mapping out your wedding reception party plan itself. It's wise to start many weeks in advance. For example if you decide on a certain shade or color for the wedding ceremony, then you carry the same motif through in the reception venue. Choose napkins, tablecloths, flowers and other decorations of the same shade or color.
A very important part of the reception is the menu. At many formal receptions an elegant sit-down dinner is provided via the facility or a catering company. The caterer usually offers a few main dish choices, and your invitations can ask your guests to RSVP their choice. However, if your budget doesn't permit such a formal meal, there are other options. I've attended many lovely receptions in either an inexpensive fire hall or community center where the family and friends provided the food. Serving the buffet style meal also is fine. It is a lot of work, but if you have plenty of volunteer help, you can still have a great reception.
Let me add here that I've never been a big fan of young couples starting off married life going into debt providing an impressive wedding reception. Even if the parent are footing the bill, they need to keep to what they can afford, and not allow social pressure to push them beyond their means.
Also, decide whether to serve alcohol or not from an open bar. This can be expensive, and may lead to overdrinking on the part of some indiscreet guests. Some couples have decide to limit an open bar to before the meal. Others serve a glass of wine with the meal. However, you don't need alcohol to have a great reception. The main thing is sharing the joy of the couple as they start their new life together.
Consider including wedding reception program activities that will make the reception more meaningful. Parents, the best man, maid of honor, or guests may give banquet speeches to the couple. The couple in turn may be asked to say a few words. Of course you can also include eating of the wedding cake, a money dance, tossing of the bridal wreath and bridal garter, etc. You'll want to create a schedule for these activities so that the program proceeds smoothly.
Whether you have a band, hire a DJ, or have a friend or relative MC the program using recordings, well chosen music can add to the sentiment of the occasion. Choose some soft background music at the outset and during the meal. After eating and some of the above activities it is time for some nice dancing music. Tradition states you start with the couple dancing to their special love song, but then others will want to join in. It is the couple's responsibility to decide the musical selections, not the DJ or the band. Be sure the music is in good taste for all present, and control the volume. You don't want it to be so loud that those who want to converse get hoarse trying to talk over the music.
The wedding reception serves as the time where the new married couple can share their joy with family, friends, and other guests, but it is also the time that the guests can give their congratulations and well-wishes to the couple. To ensure that your wedding reception is as memorable as your wedding, plan ahead and plan well.
Shannon Summers is a teacher and party planning enthusiast who delights in teaching others how to put magic into their parties. Go to Shannon's website http://www.partyplanningmagic.com for some great party planning tips. Also, click the following link for more information on wedding party planning.
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