Wedding Receptions: Tips

Tip:

     Start estimating right now how much money you want to spend on the reception. Remember, there are many elements that go into the wedding day: the ceremony, the entourage, the reception, the honeymoon, the trousseau (the bride’s new clothes for her honeymoon). Do you want to splurge on the reception at the expense of a grand honeymoon (which can always be deferred to the first anniversary)? Or save a bit on the reception so you can immortalize both the ceremony and reception in both still photographs and videography? Are you thinking way ahead, to putting a down payment on a house? Establish your spending priorities – and start saving up immediately -- and things will already begin to fall into place.

Tip:

     If there are friends and family that you absolutely need to be at your wedding, give them advance notice of the date you are considering. You never know what other obligations another person might have. Or, unfortunately, there might be a surprise medical reason forcing you to move the date.  Winter can pose even greater challenges, if you live in an area subject to regular snowfall. If you have important guests coming from out of town, they might have to contend with weather that can cancel flights, close roads or shut down airports. A sudden snowstorm or icy situation can wreak havoc even on local guests, or critical vendors.

     Thus, when your wedding has to be in winter, there is a stronger argument for holding the ceremony and reception in one location. Conversely, unless your ceremony is quite informal, a similar argument could be made in summer for splitting the venue: a formal ceremony indoors, and possibly the reception outdoors.

     Of course, weddings have been known to be split the other way: a ceremony in the bosom of nature, and the reception indoors where dancing can be easier. And two different outdoor venues is no stranger than two separate indoor ones. These combinations, together with the suggestions that follow, can yield some distinctive results.

Tip:

     Ask for freebies!

For example, if you are using a hotel, negotiate discounted rates for your guests, and see if they will throw in a room for free: either the bridal suite for the newlyweds, or a room for the exhausted parents.

Tip:

     If you want to start partying early, rent an RV or charter a bus and invite others to come along as you roll!

Tip:

     Nowadays, you need look no further than a major supermarket chain to find a caterer. Look for upscale supermarkets, or anchor stores in wealthy neighborhoods, where you will find a variety of prepared foods as well as salads you may never have imagined. Or, some of the fancier franchises, in particular those serving French food, can certainly do the job.

Tip:

     More than one person from the wedding families should taste the caterer’s offerings. The samples should also reflect all the courses you want to serve.

Tip:

     There really is no need for a dessert other than the wedding cake. The cake, plus perhaps some sweets with coffee, is quite sufficient to end the meal.

Tip:

     With supermarkets expanding into the bakery business, don’t overlook them as a source for your wedding cake. Ice cream stores are in the running, too, as well as cafes and coffee shops.

If the wedding cake is supplied by a separate vendor, you need a separate written contract, specifying all details, including size, flavor(s), whether a cake knife and other accessories are included, and exact delivery and set-up arrangements. In advance of ordering, you should be able to view photographs of different styles and taste the cake and icing.

Tip:

     Another way to cut back on the alcohol a bar is expected to provide is to create one “signature drink” (such as mimosas or champagne cocktails) for the reception that takes the place of other liquors.

Tip:

     Recycle your flowers!

Use flowers that were in the ceremony at the reception. Afterwards, some plants or arrangements can make excellent gifts for people whom you want to thank for their help, and/or souvenirs for parents and grandparents. Often, people will take centerpieces home with or without asking; it’s best to be gracious. It is also a nice gesture to donate leftover flowers to women’s shelters or old-age homes.

Tip:

     Upscale supermarkets have floral departments that can give you professional wedding service at very reasonable prices.

Tip:

     Whatever the dominant musical theme, everyone will understand – and enjoy – a bit of ethnic dancing meaningful to the bride and groom, such as a hora at a Jewish wedding, polkas at a Polish wedding, “Zorba” at a Greek wedding, etc. Make sure your musical bases are covered here, as well.

Tip:

     To get maximum redundancy and candid shots, consider placing “instant” cameras on each guest table, and encourage all to take photos. Let it be known that you will develop duplicate prints for you and the one who submits the preloaded camera.

Tip:

     When giving a speech that concludes with a toast, wait until the end to raise your glass so the older guests’ arms don’t start shaking in pain.