Wedding Receptions - Planning a Wedding Reception

Wedding receptions are a wonderful part ofreception on a low budget. Whatever kind of food
weddings, and give everyone a chance to relaxyou are thinking of having, don't forget to ask
and enjoy themselves once the formalyour guests whether they have any dietary
proceedings are out of the way. This can be thepreferences and plan accordingly.
most costly part of your wedding, so you will3. Location - when you are choosing your location,
need to allocate yourself an adequate budget andkeep in mind how far your guests have to travel.
make careful preparations so that you can stickIt is sensible to pick a local venue, as it is likely
to this budget.most of your guests will be based near to your
1. Guest List - when you are writing your guesthome, but if there is nothing appropriate in the
list, keep in mind your budget. You will have toarea, then this may not be an option. In this case
book a venue that will seat all of your guestsit would be a good idea to book somewhere that
comfortably, and give you room for any musichas a wedding license and arrange the ceremony
and dancing. The more guests you have theat the location. This will cut down on any further
bigger the venue you will need, and therefore thetravelling for your guests and you may want to
bigger the budget.ensure that there are rooms available nearby or
2. Food - Some of your guest will likely havein the venue for those who need to stay
travelled some distance to be with you on yourovernight.
special day, so providing food is an essential part4. Decorations - think about the theme of your
of welcoming people and showing yourwedding, and any colour schemes you have in
appreciation at their attendance. It is also one ofmind and organise the decoration of your venue
the things that will stick in your guest's memoriesaccordingly. Wedding venues do usually provide
so it is important to get this right. Food doesn'tbasic decorations, and some also provide floral
have to be fancy, but it does have to be tasty,arrangements at your request. You may want to
filling and generous. Canapés will just notorganise flowers and decorations with a separate
cover it, and if it is a long day people will drift offservice though, so check with your venue first to
early so that they can go and get somethingsee if this is acceptable.
more to eat! When choosing a venue, think about5. Music - check that your venue has a license for
what food services they provide, and whetherlive music events, and whether it has its own
they suit your needs. A formal wedding usuallysound system. Think about attending another
requires a sit down, served meal of at least 3event at the venue so that you can get an idea
courses plus coffee. This can be expensive if youof what music is suitable and how good the
have a large guest list, but most venues do offeracoustics are. There is not point having a live band
a range of menu pricings to suit all budgets. If youif the space is small, or the acoustics bad as you
have booked a venue that does not provide food,will drown out your guests and make them feel
then you will need to look at outside caterers, anduncomfortable.
in most cases it is sensible to opt for a buffet6. Facilities - Always make sure there are
style dinner, which will be easier to set up andadequate bathroom and cloakroom facilities at
organise, and can also be a good way of cateringyour venue and access for any guests with a
to fluctuating numbers of guests. For very smalldisability. Also check to see if there is adequate
weddings, you may wish to ask family and friendsand secure parking and jot down a few local taxi
to help you organise a home-cooked buffet, andnumbers for guests that might need a ride home
this can be a good way of catering yourlater in the evening.