Locations
The reception is the celebration of one of the most joyous moments in your life, with those closest to you. Filled with tradition and symbolic foods, the reception weaves family and friends together as they greet you for the first time as husband and wife.
Because the location of your reception is one of the most important aspects of your wedding festivities, it is crucial that you select and reserve your reception location well in advance. You can choose from a host of places such as a church or temple fellowship hall, a hotel ballroom, someone's home, a country club or a private party room in a restaurant.
If you marry during a season of reliably good weather, lake sites, beautiful gardens and arboretums can add beauty to your wedding reception. Many public parks and historic sites offer both indoor and outdoor facilities. Check with county parks and recreation departments throughout the area for availability of public sites.
To create a reception that is uniquely yours, use your imagination in choosing a location. Check on the availability of restored mansions, bed and breakfast inns, art or antique galleries, and even farmhouses, just to name a few.
The number of guests, the style of your wedding and your budget will play a major role in your final decision. Do try to include all wedding guests at your reception. A reception of cake and champagne for all can be more meaningful than a sit-down dinner for a few.
In selecting a reception location keep some of the following questions in mind. Is there sufficient space for the number of guests? Is the location convenient, and does it offer adequate and accessible parking? Will the facility be comfortable for the guests?
Will the lighting and acoustics provide the atmosphere you want? If you wish to serve alcoholic beverages, are they permitted? Does the location provide catering and clean-up services?
Regardless of the location, you want to be assured of a smooth flowing reception. We suggest that you ask a friend to play the important role of keeping an eye on the overall reception. If any problems arise, he or she can handle them along with the necessary professional. This service is a wonderful gift for a friend to give. It will free you and your parents to relax and enjoy your reception as the celebration it is meant to be.
So you want to have an outdoor wedding?!
Outdoor weddings and receptions celebrate your love of nature — and your love for each other — with the fresh beauty, romance and overall ambiance that only the open air can provide. But, oh, the details!
To pull it off, you'll need to spend lots of time on those details that are unique to an outdoor wedding and reception — alternate instructions for vendor deliveries, seating accommodations — even ensuring that critters are not a problem (well, maybe some beautiful butterflies would be nice).
Weather — rain, wind, humidity — is a major concern. (Not to mention hurricanes and ice storms, which can affect even indoor celebrations, as some California Bride couples have recently discovered!) But that's not all. There are also issues such as tent installation, availability of electrical outlets and extension cords, zoning restrictions on live music, decorations, and guest parking, just to name a few. And of course, you should be prepared for contingencies.
So much goes into the planning of an outdoor event! But the payoff can be wonderful. So if you're up for it, you'll need to develop a game plan.
As with most weddings, your first decision is location.
An at-home event can be especially meaningful. But there are also special challenges in dealing with issues such as parking, landscaping, setting up work areas for caterers, considering neighbors, etc. Remember, too, that you and your family will have to cope with on-site preparations before the event — added stress that you may wish to avoid.
So, while a home wedding can be lovely, most couples find that another venue, where professionals are available to oversee the event, is a better option. Choose a site that offers outdoor space with a backup facility, such as an inn, historic plantation or estate home, country club, museum, botanical garden, or even a restaurant or hotel (many have charming courtyards that are ideal for weddings). And voilà! You know you'll be covered in case of weather worries!
Tip: For a more seamless celebration, choose a location where the staff is accustomed to holding outdoor weddings!
How to create your dream wedding .
Nervous about staying within your wedding budget? Here are 15 ways that will help you keep your numbers low — while not sacrificing the quality you desire!
1.Plan a long engagement.
The more rushed you are, the fewer choices you have, and the more apt you may be to choose something costlier than you have to. And as a bonus, you'll have plenty of time to find the perfect everything!
2. Let the decisions begin.
Before diving in, think long and hard about the type of event you want. What aspects are most important to you? Perhaps there are three to five areas where you simply don't want to skimp. Decide what they are, and develop a game plan before beginning your research.
3. Keep your bridal party small.
Let's face it: each additional person costs money. Keep your numbers low, and save hundreds of dollars.
4. Pick an "off time."
The truth is, there is no "correct time" to get married. Saturday afternoons/evenings are traditional, but who says it can't be a Friday night affair? Sunday is also a perfectly suitable day for your celebration. And if you choose to marry on a weekday, you may also save on other costs, such as photography, catering, etc.
5. Stick with seasonal flowers.
Ask your florist what is/will be readily available for the time of year you choose. Not only will you get stronger, fresher blooms, but your pocketbook will thank you as well.
6. Explore funky flower fillers.
Your floral designer can assist you in creating one-of-a-kind arrangements, according to your whims. Ask about incorporating fruits, berries, interesting greenery or other ideas. These creative professionals love to experiment with different concepts and may be able to help lower your floral costs in the process.
7. Incorporate "something borrowed."
Crazy about your mother's veil? Or perhaps a treasured piece of your grandmother's jewelry? Why not wear it? It will fill the traditional "something borrowed" requirement while, again, cutting your costs.
8. Consolidate your purchases.
You may receive a discount if you buy your gown and your bridesmaids' dresses at the same location. From the guys' side, the same applies — your fiancé may save on his tux if he rents all of his groomsmen's attire at one place.
9. Avoid extra postal fees.
Hold your invites to a weight minimum if possible. Also keep in mind that square envelopes require additional postage. Ask your stationer for advice on what will work best for you.
10. Check out packaged paper products.
Ask your stationer if he/she offers discounts for purchasing all your products at once (save-the-dates, invitations, announcements, thank-you cards, etc.)
11. Let them eat cake.
A great wedding cake should be more than adequate for the sweet-toothed at your reception. Keep it as your main dessert and skip the ice cream and other sugary treats. Not sure it's enough? Consider custom-designed cookies as party favors — an extra sweet to eat or keep.
12. Keep your menu simple.
While a five-course sit-down dinner can be elegant and much appreciated, there are other, more affordable options. Following a cocktail hour, a soup or salad, main course and wedding cake will do quite nicely.
13. When in doubt, ask!
Your caterer is knowledgeable about options and prices, and can steer you in the direction that's right for your tastes and budget. For example, buffets may not necessarily be better than sit-down dinners when it comes to saving money. And having hors d'oeuvres passed by a server may be less expensive than asking your caterer to prepare and display a table spread.
14. Reception options.
Dinner receptions aren't the only choices available. How about a cocktail, dessert, brunch, or cake and champagne reception? Whatever you choose, be sure to indicate the reception style on your invitation.
15. Address drinking dilemmas.
Ask your caterer and/or reception location about bar choices available, and find one to fit your needs. Do you prefer a consumption bar (you pay for what is consumed), or an open bar (you pay a flat fee)? If money is tight, you may opt to serve only champagne or champagne punch. No matter what you choose, do not ask your guests to pay for their own drinks at a cash bar — you're better off skipping the alcohol altogether. You'll save money, and there'll be no worries about your friends getting home safely.
Whatever you decide, feel good about it and don't look back. This is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and you don't want to have any regrets. The key is in deciding what you want and planning carefully. Think of it as a fun and exciting challenge for you and your fiancé, and no matter what little glitches may come up, you will pull it off!
"With reception immediately following"
Just how does this whole reception thing go down anyway? As in, when do we do our first dance? Cut the cake? Toss the bouquet and garter? Well, while you should be sure to discuss all of your questions with your catering/reception manager ahead of time, we have a general breakdown of the "who and when" for you.* So take note, and sit back and relax . this entire party business is going to be great!
Immediately following your "I do's," it's on to the cocktail reception for your guests. The cocktail hour lasts for . well, about an hour, with your family and friends being treated to hors d'oeuvres and beverages of your choice, while you and the bridal party are busy with your photographer. A receiving line is a nice way to meet and greet your guests as they leave for the reception, before you head off to snap those photos.
. And they're here! Rejoining your group, you'll make your grand entrance, being announced for the first time as husband and wife. Some couples go right into their first dance, while others will wait until after the meal.
Soup's on! It's time to dig in to dinner, and your catering/reception manager will assist in getting everyone to the buffet tables; or servers will work their magic in dishing up everyone's meals. And don't you forget to eat — you'll need the energy!
Time to start cuttin' a rug . dinner's done, and it's time to par-teee! Head on out to the dance floor, and get the merriment started! During this time, you may opt to have your father/ daughter dance, as well as possibly doing the bouquet/garter toss, etc*.
. And it's on to the cake cutting! Sure, it's absolutely stunning — and you have to know it's going to taste as good as it looks! Just be sure to let your husband know ahead of time if you have a "no-cake-in-the-face" policy!
Back to the dance floor for a little while more, until that last waltz is at hand. Most likely the night will have flown by, and you'll be shocked that time's almost up! But after a celebrated goodbye, you'll be off to your honeymoon and your life together . when the fun really begins!
*Be sure to let your catering/reception manager know of any (additional) events you would like to include — or not.