Here are a few ideas to help make your Wedding Reception planning a little easier:
First and foremost ladies, remember to bring your dancing shoes to the reception.
Try to have the reception (dinner) start in the late afternoon - Guests
are more likely to not make 'other' plans then or to leave early. Best time? 4pm - 10pm
Allow about an hour for cocktails & guest arrivals and about one hour for dinner.
Allow 1 hour for every 2-3 events you have scheduled to take place (unless you only have 3-4 hrs). Some possible events
are: Cake, Bouquet, Garter, Father/Daughter Dance, Mother/Son Dance, Money/Dollar
Dance, dedication dances, contests, etc. Your entertainers should space some of
the events out. If you have 6 events after dinner, plan on 2-2.5 hours for the events, and additional hours for dancing etc.
A typical reception with cocktails, dinner and most events will take
about 5-6 hours for 75-150 people. Add about 1 hour for each additional 75-100 additional guests.
The bride and groom will be the center of attention, therefore you set the
tone of the reception. When you dance the dance floor will be full,
when you sit and socialize your guests will do the same. Get comfortable
shoes and DANCE DANCE DANCE!
Schedule your photographer and videographer to be on hand for all your
special events. This will avoid having to rush through the cake cutting,
bouquet toss, send off etc. because of time restraints. Make it clear in
your contract how long you expect them to stay.
Have someone make an emergency kit with extra buttons, thread, needles,
safety pins, tape, scissors and other things that might be handy in case
of a 'minor' emergency. This can all be put into a little basket
and easily carried.
Drink plenty of fluids the night before and the day of the wedding -
You will likely be on your feet and dressed fully for many hours.
Remember to place your wedding cake away from the traffic flow and out
of direct sunlight. Cutting of your wedding cake is one of the highlights
of the reception, have it announced for your guests to enjoy.
Stick around! Don't go off and leave your guests and family during
the reception. Also make sure the others in your wedding party do
the same thing. Everyone in the wedding party should be involved
in your reception events too, not just the wedding ceremony!
Make a pact with your spouse NOT to fight about ANYTHING on your wedding
day - and stick to it! Most things are minor anyway and not worth
the headaches.
USE your Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man as much as possible!
They are there to HELP you, aren't they?? Also, don't forget the
other members of the wedding party too! The less YOU have to take
on, the better!
Make sure your Best Man and MOH know that they should be making a toast
(either before or after dinner) so they won't be surprised. Often
times a short story from each about how they know you and your spouse will
suffice. Funny stories are great too!
Don't open presents at the reception!! Nothing makes people leave
faster! Why? Some don't want others to know how 'little' they
could afford to spend and others are just plain bored!
Make sure you and your wedding party eat FIRST and in a timely fashion.
The rest of the reception is timed on you. Dancing cannot start until
YOU start it off.
Kids and Weddings: It is probably a good idea to
make some special arrangements if your going to have children at your reception.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Kids like to dance too! Make sure there are some songs they will
know and have fun with.
Kids do not like to eat "grown-up food"! Ask your caterer about kids meals,
try to figure out how many under 12's there will be - Pizza, Hamburgers, chicken
strips, etc. are favorites.
If you have kids seated towards one side of the reception hall - they
can 'mingle' easier with oner another and are less distracting if they get a little too excited...
Have FUN!! Remember that this is YOUR wedding and YOUR reception!!
You'll probably only get this one chance, so make sure to take the time
to have FUN!!!
Deciding what type of wedding reception you choose will depend on your budget, the number of guests you want to invite, The mood you wish to create, where and when your ceremony and reception will be held, and the degree of formality you would like your wedding to express.
A Formal wedding means that you basically want to conform to strict traditional rites both of the church and of secular society. Generally, a formal wedding is larger both in size of wedding party and number of guests invited, and features more elaborate decorations, attire, invitations, and reception arrangements, than a semiformal or informal wedding.
Semiformal weddings basically stay with tradition, but everything is slightly less elaborate and more flexible than a formal wedding. Semiformal weddings may take place in a church, a club, or a hotel.
An Informal wedding can be either a simple ceremony or you can let your imagination go to work. Informal weddings normally have a smaller wedding party and fewer guests than formal or semiformal weddings. If you plan on a church wedding, you should make an appointment to meet with your clergy-person as soon as possible after you set your wedding date. He/she will be able to advise you on any premarital requirements, such as counseling, that the church may require. He/she can also answer any questions you may have concerning the ceremony itself (see below). He/she can guide you in the selection of music, any church wedding customs, and help you with special vows or other liturgical elements you would like to have in your wedding service. He will also be able to tell you if there are any restrictions concerning church flowers, photography, fire laws, church capacity, availability of kneelers and other equipment, and dressing facilities for attendants.
If you are planning to have a civil ceremony, you should talk to the justice of the peace or judge who will marry you to set a date, time, and place for the ceremony. Usually, only the immediate family and a few guests attend.
You may decide to have your wedding ceremony in a hotel or club, with either a civil or religious person officiating. Keep in mind that many of the items you will need may not be supplied, so you will have to rent them. Check with the hotel to see which items are available. A home wedding can be formal or informal. Keep in mind the number of guests that your home can comfortably accommodate. Don’t move all the furniture out just to make more room or you will lose the "at home" atmosphere you wanted in the first place.
If you plan an outdoor ceremony, keep in mind that the weather may not always cooperate and have an alternate location readily available. Try to pick a quiet spot without much traffic, general outdoor noise, etc. If you plan to have your wedding ceremony take place in a location other than a church, keep in mind the preparations you will have to make. Things to consider are how accessible the site is, what facilities exist for guest parking and seating, and what equipment is available.
When determining the date and time of your wedding, your work/school schedule, convenience for families, and your honeymoon plans should be taken into consideration. Many weddings are being held on Friday evenings because of the better availability of reception halls.
Adjust this schedule in order to fit yourtime line, whether you're planning two years or two months in advance :)
12 Months Before Announce your engagement to family and friends andplan and engagement party. Place an engagement announcement in your localnewspaper. Sign up for a wedding website or in-store wedding registry to keep your guests informed about event details,area information, etc. Choose a wedding date Work on the budget Consider purchasing wedding planning software to organize everything, or hire a professional wedding consultant to help secure contracts, etc. Choose a location and reserve your ceremony and reception site(s). Begin a rough guest list and compile current addresses. Decide on who you'd like to have as your attendants,including your maid of honor and best man. Begin shopping for your wedding gown.Purchase a wedding planning book/journal, or a simplecalendar to keep track of important dates and appointments (fittings,showers, etc.)
6-9 Months Before research and choose one or more bridal gift registry.Order your wedding gown and buy undergarments thatyou will wear with it (bring these to all fittings)Order other bridal accessories- shoes, gloves and veil. Begin shopping for bridesmaids dresses. Find an officiant who will perform your ceremony. **Mention this hidden coupon prior to booking to receive $75 off of any wedding package).**
4-6 Months Before Select and order your wedding invitations, envelopes and thank-you cards.Hire a calligrapher, if desired. Select and purchase wedding favors.Start researching wedding cake pictures and localbakeries for ideas. Book your honeymoon and verify that you have anynecessary travel documents including passports and visas. Book a room for your wedding night, if you will beleaving for your honeymoon the next morning. Book accommodations for out-of-town guests.Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-datecards, if using.Print out directions to the ceremony, reception,rehearsal dinner and hotel(s) for guests.Compile a list of area information and things to dofor out-of-town guests. Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party to and from thewedding, as well as a bus or trolley for your guests (if necessary)
2-4 Months Before Find out what your state's requirements are forobtaining a marriage license and get blood tests done, if required. Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen.Meet with your caterer to discuss the menu and winelist..Meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony details,wording and weddingvows.Select weddingreadings. Order your wedding cake.Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants.Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be. Select and purchase wedding bands, and have themengraved. Coordinate and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner.Contact party-rental companies for tables, chairs,tents, etc. if necessary. Purchase luggage and other travel necessities andattire for your honeymoon.Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you'dlike to have your teeth whitened or cleaned before the wedding
4-8 Weeks Before Mail invitations out eight weeks prior to the weddingdate and send accommodation info to your out-of-town guestsCompile and complete name change documents orpurchase a bridal name change kit online which contains all of the necessaryforms to file. Fill out a change of address form at the post office,if necessary. Pick up your marriage license. Have ceremony programs printed. Purchase a guest book and other wedding accessoriesincluding toasting glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, etc.Keep your wedding website updated with directions andevent details. Choose your hair and make-up stylists and schedule atrial for both; also book appointments to have your hair, make-up andnails done on the day of the wedding. Review insurance information with yourfiancé to see if any updates need to be made prior to thewedding (car, home, medical, etc.)Plan a bridal luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids
2-4 Weeks Before Create a seating chart for the reception and makeplace cards (or have your calligrapher work on these, if you have hiredone).Contact your caterer with a final guest count.Print out a time line of events for your wedding partyand vendors - include contact information and cell phone numbers. Meet with your photographer and florist to finalizedetails.Finalize your ceremony and reception music and songlist for your wedding band or DJ.Confirm lodging reservations for out-of-town guests. Place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper. Pick up wedding bands and make sure the fit is good Schedule a final dress fitting.Write rehearsal dinner toasts 1 Week Before Write out final checks for your minister, organist,DJ, etc. and organize in envelopes for your weddingcoordinator or one of your attendants to distribute at the wedding. Pick up your wedding gown Confirm limo or other transportation reservations. Pack for your honeymoon and confirm travelarrangements Have your local post office hold your mail, ifnecessary, while you are away on your honeymoon Treat yourself to a spa day -- you deserve it!
The Day Before Welcome out-of-town guests as they arrive. Take a yoga class or go for a walk during the day.Schedule a hair appointment for prior to therehearsal dinner. Attend the rehearsal and enjoy the rehearsal dinner! The Wedding Day Wake up early and do some light exercise, or just go for a peaceful walk outdoors and soak up the beauty of the day ;). Set aside some time before the festivities to exchange gifts with your bridesmaids or close family members. Eat a healthy breakfast - you'll need your energy for the big day ahead! Enjoy it; it's finally here and everything will be wonderful... Congratulations!!
