Wedding receptions are one of the biggest parts of the wedding, not the most meaningful of course, but guests look forward to the reception too. The reception is an opportunity for the couple to let their personalities and styles shine! Delivering fun and creativity while working on a budget can be challenging. Based on things I’ve seen and learned, here are a few things that might be worth considering.
Most importantly, the reception (and ceremony) should always be organized and based on a timeline. Having a close friend (one not a part of the wedding party) or a hired day-of coordinator will ensure that your day's events go off without a hitch!
Entertaining your guests is one of the most important things to keep in mind for your wedding reception. Entertainment does not necessarily have to mean expensive. There are options that are budget friendly. Music is a must-have, but think in addition to that, something that is interactive. Maybe have a photo booth set up, or hire a magician. I have a couple that has hired a dance instructor. During cocktail hour, the dance instructor will lead a class teaching the guests how to do salsa, which they will then be able to put into practice for the dancing portion of the reception. How cute is that? It’s interactive, and occupies your guests while the bride and groom are taking those post-ceremony pictures. If you’re having an outdoor reception or cocktail hour, consider offering yard games such as cornhole or giant jenga. Outdoor games is always a winner, especially when the weather is nice and the drinks are cold!
Gone are the days of the traditional buffet (for the most part). Offer an interactive food experience - maybe consider having a taco bar, or a sushi station. What about a mashed potato martini station? I’ve been getting the question a lot about having food trucks - I love this idea and I think it could be really fun. This definitely changes the vibe for dinner, and the logistics would need to be worked out, but everyone loves a food truck! I have a couple having a coffee truck set up for “cocktail hour”, which I think is a great idea. Guests can order specialty coffees and teas while they socialize before dinner.
Plan for a variety of social areas or photo ops - think “flexible seating classroom.” Take a look at your venue property and think of places where seating areas can be set up. They don’t always have to be traditional - maybe a blanket with floor pillows, with a place to set drinks? What about a thrifted couch and ottoman for socializing? For cooler season weddings, consider having a firepit with seating, or a smores station. These days, having a photo booth shows to be a popular add-on. Having an "official" photo booth isn't necessarily required, this can be accomplished by using some of the spaces on the venue's property. At our venue we have a wooden wall that is used for various things, including photos. Decorating the wall with themed decorations (Hollywood, old-timey, etc) and photo props would be a great way for your friends and family to capture some fun memories at your wedding.
Offering interactive options at the dinner tables is another fun one! I saw something on social media about having a questionnaire placed on the table for all of your guests to fill out. The questionnaire consisted of questions about how you know the bride or groom, where you met the couple, favorite memories, most embarrassing moments... I thought this was the cutest idea. It gives your guests something to do while they wait for dinner to be served, and think about the laughs you'll have reading them after you return from your honeymoon.
The focus on wedding day is definitely the bride and groom, but finding ways to make your friends and family feel special is important too!
Until next time...
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