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If you want to throw an amazing wedding reception that will “wow” your friends and family, you have come to the right place! In this edition of Tuesday Tips, I’ll share 7 tips for planning a wedding reception. The reception is always the most talked about part of the wedding and, let’s face it, the most fun part! While many people think that having a fantastic wedding reception is just something that happens, there is actually a lot of planning that goes into a successful wedding reception. Any wedding coordinator will tell you that the most memorable wedding receptions have been carefully crafted. With that being said, here are our wedding reception tips for planning a wedding reception that will be memorable and impressive!
1. When it comes to wedding toasts, keep them short and sweet!
If you are thinking about wedding toasts when you are planning your wedding reception, it’s important to keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity. This is at the top of my list of reception tips for a good reason – toasts are a meaningful part of the wedding reception, but can also take up a little too much time if they aren’t planned beforehand. 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.
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2. Give your wedding guests a change of scenery
If at all possible, create a lounge-like area in your reception space like this stunning lounge area from this romantic Austin wedding. This is a great way to give your wedding guests an additional seating option and is something to keep in mind when you are planning a wedding reception. 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. This added touch will help guarantee a comfortable and successful wedding reception.
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3. Use the Element of 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. A surprise during your wedding reception will help make it a memorable occasion not only for you and your spouse, but for all of your wedding guests, too. When you are planning your wedding reception, try to think of a fun surprise, either big or small, that will add some extra excitement to your wedding reception.
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4. If you don’t like a tradition, don’t do it!
If the thought of 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! Modern brides have been customizing their wedding receptions and are only doing things that make them comfortable. 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. When you are planning your wedding reception, don’t feel forced into incorporating classic wedding reception traditions. It is your big day, you can plan it your way!
5. Consider a photo booth for your wedding reception!
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. This is also a fun way to get photos of your guests that a wedding photographer may not be able to capture. 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. When planning your wedding reception, you can even opt for a photo guest book where you can have your guests take a polaroid and stick it into the book instead of signing their name. How fun!
6. After the Party, It’s the After-Party – Keep the Party Going
Keep the party going long after the formal wedding 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. If you have a block of rooms in a hotel, many of them will allow your group to gather in their lobby after your wedding reception. This is a great way to extend your big day into the night!
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7. Food, Drinks, & Music are the keys to a successful wedding reception
No matter what you decide to incorporate into your wedding reception, keeping your guests happy and entertained 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! Keeping these three aspects in mind when you are planning your wedding reception will help ensure that the night is a success! Your wedding reception will be talked about (in the best way) for years to come!
Happy Planning!
