Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life and you’ll likely want every single aspect to meet your exact vision. However, months of planning and preparations can become stressful and overwhelming, especially when it comes to organizing the reception. The reception is the main part of the day where your guests celebrate the occasion and requires a great deal of thought and attention to detail to ensure both the couple and their guests are left with special memories for the years to come.
Here are some of the best tips to help you plan a successful wedding reception:
Choose the right venue
As your wedding reception is where you’ll be spending most of the day, it’s important to choose a venue that meets your requirements. If you are hoping for a small wedding, an intimate venue such as a barn or restaurant may be more suitable for a handful of guests, while grand wedding venues such as hotels and stately homes offer plenty of room for 50 or more guests to roam freely and dance.
Remember your guests’ needs
Weddings can be a long day for everyone involved, so putting the needs of your guests at the forefront of your mind is key during the planning stages. Make sure you implement plenty of free time during the day so that guests don’t feel too confined to a set schedule and have some time to relax. You may also want to ditch the seating plan and allow guests to choose who they’d prefer to sit next to. If you’re creating a DIY reception by hiring a marquee or barn, ensure there are must-have facilities on site, such as easy parking, seating, and bathrooms to keep your guests comfortable and happy.
Think carefully about the speeches
While speeches are typically left as a surprise for the bride and groom until the big day, you may want to think carefully about who you would like to speak. No one wants to sit through an hour of non-stop talking, so be selective as to who should do the honor. What’s more, you’re also in your right to inform them of topics you would prefer to be avoided to save embarrassment. There’s nothing wrong with offering some form of direction and advice to give you peace of mind.
Think about the atmosphere you want to create
Atmosphere is everything when it comes to a successful wedding reception, and you have full control of how you would like the day to play out. If you’d prefer to achieve a laid-back and chilled atmosphere, you could opt for slower-paced music, help-yourself catering, and fun outdoor games. If a party atmosphere is more up your street, it would be a good idea to collaborate with the DJ to discuss the type of playlist you would like. A professional DJ should also offer advice on what they believe works well for the age range of guests you’re inviting and can read the room to determine whether to switch things up from time to time.