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So you want to throw the best wedding reception your friends and family have ever seen--well, you've come to the right place! This edition of Tuesday Tips is completely dedicated to the most talked about part of the wedding. While many people think a fantastic wedding reception just happens by chance, wedding coordinators know all too well that memorable wedding receptions are carefully crafted. Thus, here are our tips for creating a memorable celebration.
1. Short and Sweet
When it comes to toasts, it's really all about quality over quantity. As meaningful and wonderful as toasts can be, it's important that you don't allow those toasting to drone on and on. It's also important to keep the number of toasts to a minimum. Carefully select individuals who have been important in your life and then gently remind them to keep it short and sweet.
2. Lounge Act
If at all possible, create a lounge-like area in your reception space like this stunning lounge area from this romantic Austin wedding. Since people can get antsy sitting around the same dinner tables all night, a change of environment will promote conversation and keep even your non-dancing guests entertained. Look into renting or borrowing couches, chairs, and other pieces of furniture that you can then stage with pillows and votive candles in your wedding colors.
3. Surprise, Surprise
Sometimes the best parts of a reception are the things guests don't see coming. Surprise your guests with unexpected entertainment during the cocktail hour or reception, like a belly dancer, a mariachi band, or even a salsa dancer. Or create a whole unexpected theme for your wedding, like this circus-themed wedding.
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4. What Tradition?
If the thought of a making all of your single friends stand around you to catch your bouquet offends your senses or the image of your future husband sticking his head under your dress to "find" your garter makes you queasy, don't do it! Skip the standard traditions and incorporate reception activities that represent you and your future husband's sense of tradition and style. One popular trend we are seeing these days is incorporating lawn games into your reception, similar to this outdoor Austin wedding. Your guests will appreciate the departure from the norm.
5. Photo Finish
Capture the spirit of the evening by renting or DIY-ing a photo booth. Friends and family can really ham it up and create great keepsakes. You and your husband will have the best time remembering the guests at your wedding through the photo booth pictures. Don't forget silly props and and a social media hashtag, like this one from this fun-filled Fort Worth wedding.
6. After the Party, It's the After-Party
Keep the party going long after the formal reception ends. Even if your reception venue shuts down your reception at a certain time, you can keep the party going by inviting your guests to an after-party. Now this can be as fancy and formal as you like, but you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on an after-party. You and your guests can gather in a hotel bar or restaurant lounge at no charge.
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7. Good Food, Good Drink and Good Music
No matter what you decide to incorporate into your wedding reception, keeping your guests happy will almost always ensure a memorable celebration. And experience teaches that keeping guests happy hinges on executing the "happy guest trifecta"--good food, good drink and good music! So make sure the food is hot and tasty, the drinks are plentiful, and the music is constant and speaks to the sensibilities of the crowd. Perfecting these elements will ensure a fabulous celebration!
Happy Planning!
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Comments (32)
It sure got my attention when you said that in choosing a wedding reception, you have to make sure that there is ample space for a lounge where guests could hang out and talk and connect with other people outside of their circles. My wife and I are planning on renting a banquet hall that is big enough to fit all of our guests comfortably. I'll be sure to ask my wedding organizer to design the place in a way that would foster chats and small talks amongst my guests by providing lounges and other seating areas around the area. Thanks for your wedding reception tips!
My cousin is getting married later this year, so thanks for the tips on making the reception great. I like your idea of having a photo booth for the guests. I can see this being a lot of fun and making a great keepsake for the event.
Totally agreeable, these tips are truly fantastic, can make a wedding so memorable and a wonderful experience of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing.
Your wedding reception tips are simply fabulous. My wife's friend is looking for a good venue for her wedding. I hope she finds somewhere swanky and fancy.
I think the most important thing is the food. Good Food = Happy guests. Thanks for these tips though.
I wish more wedding articles didn't assume gender. I'm not going to have a husband and I know I'm not the only one. It takes ten seconds to be conscientious and make inclusive edits.
Thank you for your comment. We appreciate the feedback and moving forward, we will be more conscientious and draft more inclusive language.
Oh, I absolutely adore your tip to do a photo booth for a wedding. I also think it would be gorgeous to have a painting of the wedding. It might not be as simple as a quick flash and click of the camera, but the memories stored in paint are far deeper than simple photography.
I like how you explained that a good way of remembering the guests at your wedding reception is by having a photo booth at the event. My fiance and I are planning on having a guest book at our reception for people to sign, but maybe it would be a good idea for us to have a way to create a picture book as well. A photo booth seems like a fun way to get people to want to be in pictures.
Wow, this information was really helpful to us. With your information we can be able to plan a perfect wedding reception. Thanks for sharing this valuable article with us.
Thank you for reminding me that aside from serving good food and drinks during the reception, music is one aspect that we need to pay attention to so we can entertain our guests just as right. We're polishing the final details for our reception as we have settled everything regarding the ceremony. It might be a good idea to hire a wedding DJ's services to ensure that everyone will enjoy the afterparty.
A friend of mine will have her wedding reception next week, and I was looking for a post exactly like this one. This article painted a picture for a complete wedding reception, an ideal one to be precise.The best part about it was good food, good drink and good music, I mean what else do you require. Big ups to this post and I hope I see more such content in the future. Thank you, and cheers!!
I totally agree. Your tips are so clear and would take the aesthetic of the wedding to the next level. Thank you for sharing these.
My little cousin is getting married in May. I am trying to help her plan the reception. Thanks for explaining that we will want to try to have good food, music, and drinks. I know that she will want to find a dance space that will fit all of her guests. So, we should consider the size of the venue as well.
Great Job!!You gave wonderful wedding reception tips. I have bookmarked your website & will definitely share this lovely stuff with my friends. Everyone wants to make their wedding day special & unique. You have described amazing wedding party tips so that our guests won't get bored during the party & get more fun. Thanks for sharing kee update your more ideas! Love u lot :)
My daughter is looking for a venue for her wedding. She loved the tip about having a lounge for guests. She will look for a venue that meets her criteria.
I totally agree with you. Thanks for sharing such helpful tips.
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I like your tip about having a good after-party. I am getting married in a few weeks. I would love to get some good entertainment for my reception.
I loved your idea about renting a photo booth. I'm thinking about getting a photo spot for my reception. I'd love to find something with a unique feel.
while you suggested that while picking a wedding reception, you should make sure that there is enough room for a lounge where attendees might linger around and chat with other individuals outside of their circles, which really caught my interest. My wife and I intend to reserve a wedding reception�large enough to accommodate all of our guests. I'll be sure to urge my wedding planner to include lounges and other lounging spaces around the space in order to encourage conversations and small talk�among my guests. Thanks for the advice on the wedding celebration!
This article is a treasure trove of tips for wedding receptions. It offers valuable insights and practical advice for couples planning their big day. From seating arrangements to entertainment, it covers all the essentials to ensure a memorable celebration. The emphasis on personalization and guest experience is particularly noteworthy. A must-read guide for anyone looking to create a truly magical and unforgettable wedding reception. Well done!
The reception of the wedding is very important. Thank you for sharing the tips.
Love these Tuesday Tips for a dreamy wedding reception! From decor hacks to timeline wisdom, this blog is a treasure trove for couples planning their special day. Practical and inspiring insights to ensure a seamless and unforgettable celebration.
It's great that this post discussed how important it is to consider music selection for the wedding in addition to providing delicious food and beverages so that we can properly entertain our guests. Now that all the arrangements for the ceremony have been finalized, we are putting the finishing touches on our reception. To make sure that everyone has a nice time at the afterparty, it would be a good idea to hire a DJ for the wedding.
Thanks a bunch for the lovely tips, I'll surely use these in the wedding reception. I think your tips go perfectly along with all the things that I've rented from the best party rental in Minneapolis.
Oh, my! I couldn't be more excited for my niece who'll be getting married in Wisconsin this fall. Still, she needs to seek assistance from a planner as soon as possible. Based on this article alone, I can safely say that a decent wedding venue must have enough space to accommodate guests and various interactive features.
I appreciate that you said that, in addition to providing delicious food and beverages at the reception, music is an important consideration so that we can appropriately amuse our guests. Now that all the arrangements for the ceremony have been finalized, we are putting the finishing touches on our reception. To make sure that everyone has a nice time at the afterparty, it would be a good idea to hire a DJ for the wedding.
while you mentioned that while selecting a wedding reception, it's important to ensure that there is enough room for a lounge where guests may congregate, mingle, and meet individuals from different social circles, it caught my eye. My spouse and I intend to lease a banquet space large enough to accommodate every one of our guests in luxury. I'll be sure to ask my wedding planner to arrange couches and other lounging spaces around the space to encourage conversation and small talk among my guests. I appreciate your advice on wedding receptions.
I appreciate that you clarified that while selecting a wedding reception, one must ensure that there is sufficient room for a lounge where attendees may mingle and socialize with people who are not in their social circles. My spouse and I intend to lease a banquet space large enough to accommodate every one of our guests in luxury. I'll be sure to ask my wedding planner to arrange couches and other lounging spaces around the space to encourage conversation and small talk among my guests. I appreciate your advice on wedding receptions.
Totally agree about skipping the traditions that mean nothing to the couple.Create some new ones.
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