Wedding Reception Basics

Just beginning the wedding planning process? This is the perfect time to learn all about organizing your wedding reception which follows the ceremony. Whether it is a large party or an intimate event, most wedding receptions will include these same basic elements.

Decorations: Decorations include centerpieces and other floral arrangements, candles, and tablecloths. If your wedding will be more formal or grand, you may well have additional types of adornments. These could include rented crystal chandeliers for a bride who loves the sparkle of crystal bridal jewelry and wants to bring that same kind of sparkle to her venue. Other types of decorations could be ice sculptures, fabric to drape ceilings or walls, and custom lighting.

Music: Virtually every wedding reception will feature some sort of musical accompaniment. This could range from a full orchestra, to a d.j., to an ipod, depending on your taste and the formality of your event. Even for short or small receptions which will not include dancing, it is nice to use background music to create ambiance. It could be as simple as recorded music played over the venue’s sound system, or you could splurge on a string quartet or harpist to play during dinner.

Food: What would a party be without food? At the very minimum, the hosts should treat their guests to cake and punch, although most weddings feature much more lavish spreads. Typically, the reception will kick off with a cocktail hour, during which assorted appetizers and drinks will be served, followed by a full dinner. At fancy weddings, there may also be a “Viennese hour” or dessert bar, and almost every reception will have some form of wedding cake.

Other: This category could include anything you need to rent to furnish your party, such as a tent, tables, chairs, and place settings, if not provided by the venue. It would also include wedding favors, place cards and escort cards, and the guest book. These details can range from extremely important (such as tables) to elements which are customary, but not mandatory, such as the guest book. A lot of it will depend on the reception venue and the style of your wedding.

Small Ceremony, Big Reception

Some brides cannot wait for the drama of their grand entrance at the wedding ceremony, as they process down the aisle in front of hundreds of guests. For other brides, not so much! A great way to balance the wish for a very intimate wedding ceremony with the desire to celebrate your marriage with all of your friends and family is to have a private ceremony and a large reception. This is a look at how to plan a small ceremony and a big reception.

There are plenty of reasons why a small wedding ceremony might make sense for you. Maybe you dream of getting married on a sun-swept beach on a far-flung tropical island paradise, and know that only your closest family will be willing to make the trip. Or perhaps you break out in a cold sweat everytime you think about having hundreds of people watching you as you exchange your vows, and want a very low-key ceremony to alleviate your stage fright.  A small, non-traditional ceremony can help in this situation.

For couples who really want an ultra-tiny ceremony, a private service at home with only their parents, siblings, and one or two closest friends might be the way to go. Having a large wedding at home is a massive undertaking, but a very small one can easily be held in your living room with no special accommodations. Have a couple of bottles of Champagne on hand to toast the newlyweds at the end, and everyone can go out to a nice restaurant for dinner. That is all you need for a special private ceremony at home.

After your small ceremony, follow it up with a fabulous reception. Any style will do, from very traditional wedding reception in a country club or hotel to a casual barbeque for three hundred of your closest friends. If you opt for a traditional reception, by all means dress the part. For brides that means beautiful wedding gowns with classic sets of bridal jewelry and either suits or tuxedos for grooms. This is nice for the bride who did not wear a gown for a very small ceremony, as it gives her the chance to get all dressed up in full bridal regalia for the reception (perhaps minus the veil). The small ceremony followed by a large reception may be just the perfect combination for your wedding.

How to Make Your Wedding a Fun Party

Your wedding reception is supposed to be a wonderful celebration following the marriage ceremony. Some receptions are a blast, while others end up falling flat. This is how to make your wedding reception a fun party that your guests will wish would never end.

Keep the food relaxed. There is a strong trend right now towards comfort food served in an elegant fashion. We’re talking mashed potato bars, mac and cheese shooters, tiny grilled cheese sandwiches, mini Angus beef sliders, cones of fresh crisp fries, and all the good stuff. Family style service is also increasingly popular, as compared to the more traditional stuffy seated dinner. And if you really want to keep the party going, bring out late night refreshments like fresh hot donuts or even a hot dog truck.

Plan the music carefully. Have you ever been to a wedding where the d.j. played nothing but lame outdated songs that inspired no one to dance? What about the wedding where just as the party was really getting going, the band took a break and killed the mood? When hiring the musicians for your reception, be very clear about what type of music you do and do not want played. In addition, be sure to have a plan in place for breaks. A band could rotate out members and keep a small crew playing continuously during breaks, or in the case of a band or d.j., an ipod with your favorite tunes can be set up to keep the music flowing while the musicians “take five”.

Provide a lounge area where guests can chill during the reception. This is a fantastic way to transform your reception space into a true party-like atmosphere. The bride can increase the effect by changing into party clothes after the ceremony. Exchange your formal wedding gown and traditional crystal jewelry for a slinky sparkly party dress with more exuberant crystal wedding jewelry. You will be a lot more comfortable for dancing, and the change of clothes will really signal that the party has started.

Finally, when you want to have a fun and lively wedding reception, be sure to add a few elements of surprise. The surprise could be almost anything, as long as it has a “wow” factor, like a Chinese dragon or a fireworks spectacular. Whatever you choose, the big surprise will be just what you need to make your wedding an incredible party that no one will ever forget.

Adults Only Wedding Receptions

Is your vision of the perfect wedding an elegant soiree with everyone dressed to the nines in tuxedos and cocktail dresses and dazzling wedding jewelry while sipping sophisticated drinks? If so, a bunch of children running around might not fit in with your idea of the perfect reception. Pulling off an adults-only wedding reception without angering a lot of your guests can be tricky; this is how to do it with grace.

When you decide to have a child-free wedding, it is important to be absolutely equitable about it. Set a cut off age, like 16 or 18, and stick to it across the board. While some people may not like it, at least if you are fair, they have no legitimate complaint. The real drama arises when the bride and groom start making exceptions for individual children. Then the parents of the kids who were excluded will have real reason to feel offended.

The easiest way to have an adults-only wedding is to plan an evening event. When the ceremony does not start until 6pm and the main meal won’t be served until 8 or 9 o’clock at night, it is pretty plain to see that this is not an event where kids belong. Bill it as chance for the parents to get all dressed up in their best clothing and wedding jewelry and enjoy a date night without their children. Then make it a party they won’t soon forget, with great food and drinks, sophisticated music, and elegant decor.

Many brides wonder if it is acceptable to write “Adults only reception” on their wedding invitations. The answer is that it is not polite to do so. The proper thing to do is to very clearly address the invitation to the guests whom you want to attend by name. Anyone not named on the invitation is not invited. To make it even more clear that extra people are not to be brought along, consider making response cards which are customized with the names of the individuals with a space to check “will attend” or “unable to attend”.

In the end, there will always be some guests who decide not to attend an adults-only wedding, either because they are irritated or because they could not find appropriate child care. However, if you handle the whole thing gracefully, those no-shows will be few and far between, and you will be able to have exactly the sophisticated wedding reception which you envisioned.

The Order of a Wedding Reception

To help you plan the perfect wedding, take a look at this guide to the order of events at a wedding reception…

Generally, after the marriage ceremony, the newlyweds will duck off for photographs while the guests mingle at the cocktail hour. The next time that the bride and groom are seen again will be when they make their grand entrance to the wedding reception. In some cases, the bride may even choose to change out of the bridal gown and wedding jewelry which she wore for the ceremony into a party dress and more bold wedding jewelry for the reception. The bandleader announces the bride and groom by saying something like, “For the first time ever, please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jones!” and the guests respond with cheers and applause as the joyous newlyweds enter the room.

Following the arrival of the bride and groom at the reception, there will be a Champagne toast. Custom says that the first toast is always given by the best man. The maid of honor is next, if she chooses to speak. Then the fathers of the bride and groom follow, along with any other family or friends who wish to propose a toast. After the toasts, it is time for dinner to be served. Once dinner reaches its conclusion, the bride and groom will have the ceremonial cake cutting, and then the cake will be served. This is followed by the bride and groom’s first dance.

Towards the end of the wedding reception, the bandleader will announce that the bride is going to toss her bouquet. After that, the couple will either resume dancing, or prepare to make their grand exit. In some regions, it is customary for the newlyweds to change into going away outfits before they make their formal exit, surrounded by cheers and congratulations as they dash off into their waiting limo to head off on their honeymoon.

Get Creative With Your Wedding Table Names

At most weddings, when guests arrive at the reception, they will be directed towards a seating chart or escort cards to guide them to their seats. While you certainly could name your tables 1 – 15, it is quite standard and adds no style or personality to your wedding. Why not take the opportunity to do something fun or expressive? These are some great ideas on how to get creative with your wedding table names.

If your wedding has a theme, choosing creative names for tables will be a snap. Let’s say that you are planning an Old Hollywood Glamor wedding, complete with a red carpet and glitzy bridal jewelry sets. Each of your tables can be named after a famous film or movie star, such as Marilyn Monroe or “Roman Holiday”. Or if you were having a tropical theme wedding, choose related names like luau, Pina Colada, and hibiscus. Once you get the ball rolling, you will come up with more themed name ideas than you even have tables.

Table names which relate to the bride and groom are always a nice personal touch at a wedding. If you have no particular theme, why not name all the tables after your favorites? It could be books, movies, songs, or places, just to name a few. One of the great things about this concept is that it can be a terrific conversation starter for your wedding guests at dinner. You could choose a theme without stating it, like Hitchcock films or Audrey Hepburn characters, and see how long it takes everyone to piece it together. Before you know it, your Aunt Mildred and old college roommate will be happily chatting about whether Grace Kelly was better in Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, “To Catch a Thief”, or “Dial M for Murder”.

Some couples like to tie their table names into their honeymoon destination. For a honeymoon to the City of Lights, choose from Parisian landmarks such as the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe or use more simple concepts like patisserie and croissant. Or celebrate your roots; a pair of newlyweds from New York could name their reception tables Statue of Liberty and Broadway. To make it even more entertaining, print a picture of each location under its name.

The Wedding Reception Viennese Hour

Let’s face it: everyone remembers a wedding which had really great food. My first encounter with a Viennese hour was at a Winter Wonderland wedding. The bride wore a beautiful beaded gown and dazzling crystal bridal jewelry. The band was amazing. But what I really remember about that wedding was the moment after dinner when the doors were opened to an adjoining room to reveal the most spectacular display of desserts I had ever seen in one place: the Viennese hour.

The basics of a wedding Viennese hour or dessert bar are cookies, bars like brownies and blondies, cakes, pies, and mini pastries. Regional specialties should certainly be on the menu; think New York cheesecake in Manhattan or beignets in New Orleans. Individual servings of favorite desserts like crème brule and chocolate pudding should also be on the menu. And this is only the beginning!

Chocolate and candies are another part of a Viennese hour. The most impressive way to serve chocolate is a chocolate fountain. Guests find them irresistible, and love the chance to dip fresh fruit, pretzels, and gourmet marshmallows into the flowing chocolate. Another option is to present chocolate dipped fruits like strawberries instead of having the fountain. An array of white, milk, and dark chocolate dipped fruits would be especially nice.

Once you have the basic elements of your wedding Viennese hour decided, it is time to choose your “wow” factor. Remember that a Viennese hour should be elaborate and indulgent, so this is the time to really pull out all the stops. Any number of specialized stations will work as your “wow” feature. Choose one, or if space allows, include them all to really blow your guests away. An ice cream sundae bar is one idea for the main feature. A custom crepe station with an attendant to make whatever your guests want is an elegant addition. Or go for a nostalgic carnival theme with cotton candy and funnel cake carts. With all of the elements in place, you can be certain that your guests will remember your wedding reception Viennese hour for years to come!

Unique Ideas for Wedding Entertainment

Sure, everyone has a band or a d.j. at their wedding, but why stop there? If you really want to wow your guests, think outside the box, and provide some fun and different entertainment which will set your wedding apart, play up your theme, or just plan make for a great party experience. To get you started, check out these unique ideas for wedding entertainment.

Certainly music is a wonderful way to set the mood at a wedding reception. If you or your fiance come from a cultural background which has a heritage of music, why not showcase it at your reception? A Mariachi band would be a fun addition to the dinner hour if the newlyweds have Mexican heritage. If you ancestors hailed from Italy, have several violinists wander through the cocktail hour or the dinner portion of the reception. Or honor your Scottish background with a bagpiper announcing your grand entrance to the party instead of just the bandleader. For a wedding with a Celtic theme, let a line of Riverdancers enchant your guests with their steps. In fact, any of these musical additions would be wonderful for a wedding even if the couple did not come from those cultural tradition.

Adding special details to a wedding is a fantastic way to give it a personality all its own. As every bride knows, the custom bridal jewelry or artisan designed invitations will make her wedding one-of-a-kind. The entertainment is no exception to this rule. Let’s say you were having a tropical theme wedding, with a flowy bridal gown and custom beach wedding jewelry. Firedancing with a Polynesian flair would be a dramatic addition to an outdoor evening wedding. Having a daytime tropical wedding? Why not incorporate some lovely hula dancers? Make it even more fun by having the dancers offer group lessons at the end of their performance so that your guests can give the hula a try.

There are many other inventive ideas for exciting wedding entertainment. You could have belly dancers or a traditional Chinese dragon performance. Hire a magician to entertain your youngest guests if you will have a lot of kids at your wedding. The possibilities are nearly limitless, and the best part is that you can tailor your special show to fit your own interests and wedding theme.

Cocktail Party Wedding Receptions

When planning a cocktail party wedding reception, you really want to channel a 1950s/1960s retro vibe. Start planning your cocktail reception by choosing a fab 1950s inspired gown.  A strapless gown with a fitted waist and a flouncy skirt will look feminine and flattering. Tulle and organza are among the best fabrics for this style of wedding dress, and they are often accented with lace or embroidered embellishments. If you want a wedding gown with a sassy edge, choose tea length over the traditional floor length dress. Naturally, pearl bridal jewelry will be the perfect accessory for your retro cocktail party look.

Then there is the food and drink menu to be considered. Classic cocktails like gin and tonics, Manhattans, sloe gin fizzes, and whiskey sours will hit the right note. It’s always nice to have a few cocktails in fancy glasses, so to be sure to add martinis and Champagne cocktails to the bar menu. Put your own personal stamp on the reception with custom coasters and cocktail napkins to dress up the bar.

A wedding reception just wouldn’t be right without great food, and this is where a retro cocktail reception will deviate from the mid-century inspiration. Rather than a seated dinner, serve heavy hors d’oeuvres, which basically means that there will be enough appetizers that your guests will leave feeling satisfied. This is a trend which guests really like, because at most weddings, the appetizers are the most delicious part of the wedding anyway. Feature a wide variety of little bites, both passed and at stations to help your guests feel full (and to soak up the cocktails).

Of course every great party has great music, and the music of the ’50s and ’60s is perfect for a wedding. Hire a big band or a quartet which specializes in standards and swing, and set up a play list heavy on Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, as well as modern crooners like Harry Connick, Jr. and John Pizzarelli. The right music will really establish the mood of your reception, not to mention, get people dancing. With all of the elements in place, you can be sure that your cocktail party wedding reception will be a night to remember.

Distinctive Table Names for Receptions

Your table names can be much more than just a way to indicate to each guest where they should sit during dinner. They can also be a chance to reinforce your wedding theme, express one of your passions, or even just amuse your guests. Why let this opportunity go to waste by using boring old table numbers when you can do so much more?

Theme weddings will always lend themselves to interesting names for the dinner tables. Let’s say that you are having a tropical theme wedding. A great idea for marking the tables would be to label each one with the name of a famous tropical paradise. Your guests can dine at Bora Bora, Tahiti, Fiji, and Hawaii. A couple who is throwing a tropical theme wedding and also loves to surf, for instance, could name each table after their favorite place to catch a wave.

Some brides will plan their wedding around their favorite color. A purple wedding could be graced with tables named lavender, aubergine, lilac, plum, and so forth. Or have a pink wedding with tables named after your favorite pink flowers, such as roses, tulips, peonies, and hydrangeas.  The idea of naming reception tables after flowers would also be lovely for a garden wedding.

Tables can be named after famous people, too. How better to evoke the cool elegance of the Rat Pack than by calling your reception tables Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and so on? When using the name of a person, definitely have their picture on the table number display to make it even more interesting. This would be a very hip idea for a wedding theme, and you could bring it to full fruition by including elements in your wedding like Sinatra music, a martini bar, and small silver flasks for the favors (they also make great groomsmen gifts, by the way).

Nature can always provide sweet wedding ideas. If you are the earthy type, how about using table names such as river, rock, branch, and moss? Or get more specific; a bird loving bride and groom could call their tables warbler, finch, cardinal, bluebird, etc. Another great source of inspiration is literature. Not only would it be a nice personal touch to name your reception tables after your favorite books, but it will be a great conversation starter for your guests at dinner.