When you first start to plan your wedding, you will immediately be seeking ideas for wedding reception success.  After all, the reception will cost about 50 percent of your wedding budget, which will make it the biggest expense of the whole project by far.  Don’t be the bride who looks back on her reception and wishes she had planned it better!  The following ideas for wedding reception brilliance will make your reception an event to remember for years to come.

Here are a few good ideas for wedding reception themes: You may be a traditional “white wedding” proponent who wants the standard reception hall banquet, but many people are looking for unique reception themes to give their event a bit of personality.  Some ideas might include a vineyard them, with decorations related to wine and wine making.  You could have grape leaves, wine bottles, oak barrels and other symbols to add a rustic feel to the setting.  Or, perhaps you prefer the glamour of 40’s and 50’s Hollywood.  Art deco colors such as black, white, and red can be used throughout the space, as well as some framed movie posters from classics like Casablanca.  How about a masquerade ball theme, with every guest receiving a hand held mask?  These are just a few good ideas for wedding reception décor and style.

When you are considering locations, make sure you have considered these essentials:  The size of the location is crucial.  Expect to need about 35 square feet per guest, which will account for enough space to fit the tables and chairs, room for a band or DJ, a catering station, and room for guests to mingle.  Identify any restrictions on catering up front, as many venues will require you to use their own in-house catering or select from a list of preferred vendors.  Similarly, be sure to ask about any decorating restrictions.  Especially in very prestigious locations or those with historic significance, there may be specific guidelines you have to follow when decorating the space itself.  Finally, make sure there is enough parking for your guests and verify whether valet service is provided, or if you are permitted to supply your own service.

One of the best ideas for wedding reception stress reduction is to make sure you have an iron-clad contract with the reception hall itself.  A few absolute necessities that your contract should include would be: The names of all parties involved, including yourself and your future spouse, and the owner or manager of the facility; The date, time, and specific room being reserved;  Cancellation requirements, and any related compensation due if the reservation is broken by either party outside the required time frame; and a list of all equipment included with the reservation.  Having these items laid out in advance will ensure that the space is ready when you need it and everything runs as smoothly as it possibly can.

Use these ideas for wedding reception music planning:  The music that you select for each part of the reception should be appropriate for its purpose.  For example, when cocktail hour is over and it is time for the band or DJ to get started, kick the party off with a song that will get everyone in a festive mood.  Some typical songs that appeal to everyone might be “Celebration” or something upbeat by Sinatra.  During dinner, some people will want to sit, eat, and relax; while others are ready to get up and start dancing.  Be sure the dinner music selection is a good mix that will satisfy both crowds.  For the couple’s first dance, select a song that has special romantic significance, and for the father daughter dance, a nostalgic number that tugs at the heartstrings will leave eyes glistening across the entire room.

I hope you will use these ideas for wedding reception brilliance in planning your reception.  Lack of proper planning is the number one reason for major wedding reception disasters!  If you spend the right amount of time up front in planning the wedding, selecting a great location with everything you need, locking the space in with a solid reservation contract, and gathering a good plan for the music, the payoff will be a fantastic experience that every one of your guests will remember for years to come.

Reception Ideas For a Wedding

Reception ideas for a wedding can range from the super cheap to the extravagantly expensive.  Your reception will cost about 50 percent of your total wedding budget, so it is worth researching and planning extensively, so it can be the best experience possible.  This article will discuss several reception ideas for a wedding that is magical and memorable, including the essential components to a successful wedding reception, and some great ideas for an ecologically friendly reception.

First, the basics.  A traditional wedding reception will be held in a beautiful setting, and can be either indoors or outdoors depending on your preference and the local climate.  Most receptions will start with an hour or so of cocktails and mingling.

The happy hour will often be held in an outer room, giving time for the wedding planner and events staff to put the final touches on the main reception area.  Typically there will be an open bar, possibly a signature cocktail selected by the bride and groom, and some appetizers being circulated on trays or available at a catering station.

To some people, reception ideas for a wedding will absolutely include a formal sit-down meal.  This will typically be served immediately following the cocktail hour.  When planning your reception, you will want to ensure that the space has plenty of room for tables and chairs for your guests, about 35 square feet per person.  In addition, the room should have easily accessible spots to place the catering stations, as well as a kitchen or food preparation area where the meal can be prepared and staged.

Many people are looking for reception ideas for a wedding that will have a low impact on the environment.  These days, everyone knows that we are using our planet’s resources faster than they can be replenished, and polluting our environment on an unsustainable pace.  If you can afford a minor increase in cost and the issue is important to you, there are several ways you can make your wedding reception a bit more “green” and earth friendly.

First, there are many florists who will source and provide organic flowers that have been grown without chemical fertilizers, and without harsh poisons and pesticides.  You may be surprised, the cost is really not significantly more than what you will pay a more mainstream flower supplier.  Another reception ideas for a wedding that helps the environment is in using lower impact fabrics.

Many people don’t realize this, but the linens provided by many party rental services are made with artificial fabrics that require petroleum products for their production.  Manufacturing these materials has been shown to contribute to groundwater and air pollution, not to mention the fact that most of them are repeatedly dry-cleaned in harsh chemicals such as perchloroethylene.  Perchloroethylene, or “perc” is known to contribute to cancer and be generally bad for our environment.  Instead, use linens made from natural fabrics such as cotton or wool, and make sure the vendor uses a green cleaning solution, such as liquid carbon dioxide.

To avoid waste, consider donating the flowers to local hospitals and senior living centers, and the food to local food banks and shelters.  It is truly a shame how much excess is simply thrown away after the reception is over, when someone could be enjoying it.  Use some creativity to come up with reception ideas for a wedding that makes a statement about who you are.  Those beautiful floral bouquets will continue to look great for several more days, so why not use them to brighten someone else’s day too?

For a great way to make a statement about your conservationist ideals, what about green party favors?  Instead of the traditional gifts, give your guests an evergreen sapling wrapped in a decorative (and reusable!) bag or pot.  This gift benefits the earth and will remind your guests of your special day for years to come.

Hopefully, you have found these reception ideas for a wedding to be useful and creative.  In planning your own wedding, it is important to select a location and style for the reception that suits you and your spouse.  Make it an event that you and your guests will remember by selecting the right space, and making a positive statement on the environment at the same time.