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This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.
Getting married is a wonderful and joyous occasion...but the stress of planning the wedding (and trying to stay on budget) can take some of the joy out of the whole experience. To keep that initial feeling of excitement and anticipation, take things one step at a time and don't procrastinate making plans for your perfect reception. If you wait to the end to make all the decisions, you'll be utterly exhausted and you won't be able to enjoy your wedding fully! So plan ahead, enlist the help of your family and friends, and try not to stress over things that are out your control. If you've made all your plans ahead of time and delegated people to be in charge, then on the day itself you can just relax and soak it all in (as you should)! Have an amazing day and night, and celebrate your commitment and love for your new husband. But first...you've got some planning to do.
1. The Tables
The first thing your guests will see when they enter your reception is how your tables are laid. This is a place to put some effort into the details and design, adding your own individual flair. Your guests will spend a good amount of time sitting at the tables, so your effort will be noticed! Start with a simple foundation, such as a white or linen tablecloth or a beautiful wood table, then add a runner for some contrast. A runner could be a piece of fabric that matches your wedding colors, a garland of greenery, or something more creative like a bunch of paper doilies or sheets of music taped together if that matches your wedding theme. The next step to focus on is the centerpiece of each table. Usually, this includes flowers in beautiful vases or containers...along with table numbers and other details that match your theme. To save money, you don't necessarily need to make every table match. You can make the head table a little fancier for photos, and keep the rest of the tables a bit simpler. Another thing to consider is whether you need place cards at each table setting to help guests find their seats and reduce the likelihood of arguments--or at least reserve a few family tables.
2. The Menu
Food is super important for any event. And if you have guests who have traveled a long distance to be there with you on your wedding day, you can't just feed them light snacks. Opt for something delicious that will replenish your energy levels without making you feel too bloated or comfortable (after all, everyone is dressed up and trying to look their best, including you!). Think about the different guests you will be inviting, and try to identify whether there are any special requirements that you should accommodate, such as vegetarian or gluten free options. Contact a few different catering companies and sample their dishes, along with your fiancé and maybe even another person with differing tastebuds to your own. You can think outside the box too, and go beyond catering companies. For a more casual feel, food trucks or your favorite inexpensive restaurants might be able to provide great food on a lower budget. When it comes to the wedding cake, you can order an elaborate four-tier cake with a beautiful design that matches your theme and flowers cascading down the side...or you could be nontraditional and stack a bunch of donuts on a cake stand (or cookies, cupcakes--whatever your favorite dessert is). I've seen people have each of their friends make a pie, and create a display with all the different pies too! It's up to you and how formal or casual you want your reception to be!
3. The Entertainment
As soon as the plates are cleared and the speeches are over, it’s likely that your guests will be ready for some entertainment, whether that's hitting the dance floor or something else. Contact an entertainment agency to see what bands and music they can offer. An amazing wedding DJ can also add a lot of energy and fun to your reception, making it memorable for your guests and yourself. But entertainment doesn't have to mean hiring an expensive band. It can be anything that encourages your guests to mingle and enjoy themselves. Maybe you get a photobooth, or for a casual outdoor wedding, perhaps you have a lawn set up with croquet and frisbees. Think about your guests and what they will enjoy!
4. The Photographer
Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event, so you'll definitely want some beautiful photos to capture the memories and show to your kids someday. Although this is a big expense, don't hire an untested photographer just because they are the cheapest option. Always ask to see examples of their previous work, especially other weddings, and only hire someone that you feel confident in. Though the mental memories may last forever, having something physical to show to other people and reminisce over when you get a little older is priceless. You'll probably also want to print out at least a few wedding photos to hang in your home. So do shop around, do ask if there are discounts (perhaps if you hire the photographer for a shorter amount of time), but definitely don't skip out on a professional photographer.
Planning your perfect wedding reception is a huge task. The sheer quantity of different features you must consider can make the whole process completely overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Even on a very tight budget you can create the most amazing special day, you just have to focus on what's important. Putting effort into the tables, the food, the entertainment, and the photographer will make it so people remember your wedding reception fondly. Food and entertainment are especially important to guests--so make sure everyone can eat well and have a lot of fun!
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Dear Aileen, that was a very informative and edifying article throwing light on all the important elements that makes a couple’s wedding day the most special and memorable. Stressing on budget and yet scripting a guided blog on how to have a perfect wedding is extraordinary. Thank you.
Through word of mouth, online ... Today, information abounds about any service you want to hire. Therefore, to offer the best menu, it is best to have the opinions of different couples who have tried the services of different catering companies to organize their wedding banquet.
Whenever you have the possibility to choose the catering, it is important to start the search based on the type of food you want to offer. The ideal is to find a catering specialized in it.