How To Plan A Wedding Reception

Planning your wedding reception can be a lot of effort with deciding on the location and the type of reception.

Set a date

Set the date for your wedding before you start looking, as many locations are booked in advanced.

The budget for the reception

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Your wedding reception will bring the biggest expense so this is a key part of budgeting for your wedding. Round a figure of approximately how many guests you are going to invite and the cost per head

Decide on the type of reception

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There are many to choose from the sit-down meal to the simple cake-cutting reception.

Sit-down reception: A traditional reception and works great with speeches. However, consider this can be the most expensive option and also required move planning.

Cake Cutting reception: This tends to be for smaller parties and for those who don't want a reception. Ideal when coming out of the registry office.

Breakfast or Brunch Reception: Perfect for a sunrise wedding or if getting planned on getting married early in the morning. Menus often include eggs benedict, omelets and French toast. If you want the luxury option, why not go for salmon, caviar or a carving station (with ham, turkey or roast beef). Don't forget the tea & coffee!

Lunch Reception: Getting married in the morning, but need more time to get ready than for the breakfast reception, you should consider a lunch reception. Lunch Receptions often let you serve the same favorite dishes at a cheaper price. However, what do you do for the rest of your wedding day!

Afternoon Tea: Fancy the old-fashioned high tea this is the option for you. Serve a variety of hot teas, champagne, finger sandwiches, petit fours, eclairs and of course the wedding cake. Very ideal for the middle of the afternoon so guests are not expecting a full meal. This option is cheaper than a dinner reception and is a bit different.

Photography for the big day

You will want these photos. Organize pictures with family and friends, in special groups or tables. Why not ask guests to take photos too?

Seating Arrangements

If you're planning a sit-down dinner, seating can grow to be a bit of a headache so it pays to focus on it early enough.

The bride and groom can sit at the dais or raised platform at whatever goes for being the "front" of the room. The bridal party sits with them and they all face the rest of the room. This is not as popular as it once was, as placing the table amid the guests is beginning to take on a more acceptable and modern feel.

Parents tend to be seated with other, or they can have respective family and friends at their tables.

Elderly people shouldn't be seated too near anything that makes noise.

Consider using place cards to help people know where they're going to sit. It's not essential but it can be very helpful. In doing this, take great pains to avoid seating people who don't get along next to one another!

Location of wedding cake

Decide on when and where the wedding cake will be cut in the reception.

Finally, the food

Some of your guests may have dietary restrictions, so be prepared to provide vegetarian, gluten-free and other variants as required.

If you are having a sitdown dinner receptions consider how many courses you will have. Also, the serving types are you going to have a buffet style, help yourself, or serving at the tables?