| Ballrooms Ballrooms or 'halls' are ideal for a large number of guests and can offer
lavish settings.
You will need to check if you can supply your own
caterers as some ballrooms and halls will have their own and will not let outside companies
supply the food. You will also need to check what furniture they have on the
premises and if the hall has a kitchen you will need a list of what equipment is
in it.
When you hire caterers they will ask about the facilities available to
them so have your list ready. It’s easy to create the mood you want by
altering the decorations.
Most hotels will have a wedding package on offer which will include food and
drink, a toastmaster, flower arrangements in the room and even balloon
arrangements. It is always advisable, wherever you have your reception to obtain
several quotes and compare what each venue has on offer.
Restaurants
Favorite restaurants can provide the perfect setting for your wedding
celebration. Private reception rooms, accommodating chefs, bands or DJs, and
thematic decorations may be some of the amenities. Restaurants that do a
lot of receptions are typically well prepared and can be an asset should you
need any assistance in other areas of preparing for the 'big day'.
When you choose a location
Ask for a point of contact and deal
exclusively with that person. Meet to discuss fees and any questions you have.
Be sure to get everything in writing. List the menu items that you agree on, the
number of people who will attend and the basic services in your agreement. List
the number of waiters and bartenders, the quality of the dinnerware, clean-up
services and anything else that you discuss. Make sure both parties agree on
everything that’s written down and sign the paper so there won’t be any
surprises.
The schedule of events at the reception is largely a matter of personal
preference, but there are certain things that are traditional. Following the
ceremony, a receiving line is set up so that guests have an opportunity to
congratulate you and your new spouse.
Following that, you will have your formal portraits taken. During this time,
your guests can drive to the reception site and get settled in to wait for your
grand entrance. Plan the seating arrangement so that people at each table will
either know each other or have plenty in common.
Your entertainer
Should introduce the members of the wedding party as they
come into the reception hall. It’s a good idea to spend some time visiting
with your guests after this, since many of them will leave soon after you eat.
You’ll have to determine how long to allow for this, depending on the number
of guests.
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The Bridal Party's Table
is the
Focus of Attention
|
The newlyweds will sit in the center seats, the best man will sit to
the right of the bride and the maid-of-honor to the groom’s left. Other
members of the party should alternate, man-to-woman, as space permits. Before everyone starts to eat, or some time during the meal, the best
man will offer a toast. |
Be sure to include champagne and a non-alcoholic alternative so that
everyone can take part in this.
If you’re having a plated dinner, the wait staff will begin by serving the
bridal table. If you’re having a buffet dinner, the bride will get her food
first, the groom will be second and the maid-of-honor and best man will follow.
The remaining attendants, parents and guests will go in that order.
After the tables are cleared, the music will start and your first dance as
husband and wife will begin. This is probably the most magical moment of the
entire reception, so choose a memorable song.
The next few dances are reserved for the bride to dance with her father and
the groom’s father and the groom to dance with the bride’s mother. The
wedding party will eventually join in and, finally, the rest of the guests. You
should plan on dancing for a while. If you don’t know how to dance, make
lessons a part of the planning process. This will keep you from feeling
self-conscious at the reception. It’s also a great way to spend time with your
future spouse.
You should plan to have a comfortable pair of shoes at the reception. Even
if you never wear them, it’ll give you peace of mind to know you have them.
You should also pack a bag of personal items such as a comb, tissues, deodorant,
breath freshener, aspirin and extra nylons.
Cutting the Cake
Talk to your
spouse ahead of time so that you both know when to cut and what to expect. The cake-cutting
ceremony can be very romantic if you treat it elegantly. Your photographer is
going to need room for photographing this event. Check with him/her for the best
positioning. Remember, desert comes after dinner.
Bouquet Garter Toss
Finally, at some point during the reception, you will need to toss the
bouquet and the groom will cast the garter. It’s sometimes easier to do this
immediately after cutting the cake since it’s hard to get people’s
attention. If you have a DJ or a band, they can announce this over the
microphone. If you want to save your bridal bouquet, have a smaller bouquet
ready for tossing.
Plan to leave for your honeymoon the day after your wedding. This gives you
time to enjoy your guests and your carefully planned reception while sparing
unsuspecting drivers of the hazard a tired and possibly inebriated newlywed
could pose. Your better off spending the night enjoying each others company and
the company of the friends and family who came to share your
happiness.
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