Rhiannon Hendricks
Planning a wedding reception can be stressful, but it's important to remember that it's a party and a chance for you and your guests to let loose and have fun. There are many ways to make your wedding reception unforgettable, from unique entertainment ideas to interactive food services and creative decorations. Whether you're looking for breathtaking performances or simple gestures to charm your guests, the options are endless.
- Live entertainment, such as a band or DJ
- Creative performances like fire dancing or lion dancing
- Interactive activities like tarot card reading or a photo booth
- Traditional elements such as the first dance, bouquet toss, and parent dances
- Comfort items like slippers for tired feet and hand lotion in the restrooms
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food | Appetizer, entree, dessert, cake |
| Drink | Alcohol, cocktails, champagne |
| Dancing | First dance, parent dances, open dance floor |
| Activities | Photo booth, games, yard games, fireworks, sparklers |
| Entertainment | DJ, live band, musicians, celebrity impersonators, drag performance, magicians, fire performers, tattoo artists |
| Traditions | Speeches, toasts, bouquet toss, grand entrance |
| Timing | Cocktail hour, dinner, after-party |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Speeches and toasts
After the toasts, the couple and their parents usually take to the dance floor. Parent dances may include the father-daughter dance and/or the mother-son dance.
If you want to make your wedding reception truly memorable, you could consider including unique entertainment such as a fire performer, a tattoo station, a live wedding painter, or a celebrity impersonator.
How to Get Your Wedding RSVPs Back
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Food and drink
Firstly, consider your budget and how much money you want to spend on food and drinks for your guests. You can then plan accordingly. It is also important to consider what you and your partner like to eat. While it is good to think about what your guests might enjoy, it is also your day, so choose your favourite foods and curate them into a beautiful menu. You could also add a seasonal food option to your wedding menu. For example, pumpkin spices and spiced apple flavours in the fall.
Next, decide on a serving style. The most traditional and popular way is plated or table service, where guests pre-select their choice of entrée when they RSVP, and servers bring the plates directly to the table. A wedding reception food buffet is also a popular option, where guests can have bigger portions if they want. However, this may cause line hold-ups. A grazing or cocktail-style reception is becoming increasingly popular, where guests are served appetizers and cake only. This is budget-friendly and interactive, but some guests might be unhappy about not getting a full meal.
When it comes to drinks, it is typically understood that the wedding hosts cover all the costs involved, including drinks. Asking guests to pay for their drinks is usually considered an etiquette faux pas. If you are concerned about costs, you could limit the alcohol selection to 1-2 kinds of beer and a red and white wine, and then offer hard liquor, cocktails, and other drinks on a cash basis. You could also choose a venue that allows you to bring your own alcohol so that you can purchase it at wholesale prices. If you do decide on a cash bar, make sure to let your guests know in advance so they can plan and bring cash.
Finally, don't forget to provide meals for your vendors who will be onsite for the whole reception, such as your photographer, wedding planner, and musicians.
Incorporate Stepchildren in Wedding Vows: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![ARTESORI Premium Wedding Vow Book for Her & Him, Soft Touch, Gold Foil, 28 Lined Pages, Wedding Vow Books His and Hers, Wedding Essentials, Wedding Registry Ideas, His and Hers Gifts [Ivory & Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X4pKgPtNL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Dancing
First, there is the all-important first dance. This typically follows the introduction of the newlyweds and their wedding party. This can be a sweet moment for the couple to share before the party truly gets started.
Next, there are the parent dances, which can be a special father-daughter and/or mother-son moment. These dances are often saved for later in the night, after dinner, to kick things off again on the dance floor.
If you're looking to fill five hours, as many receptions do, dancing will take up a large chunk of that time. You can also include some games, like yard games for those who don't want to dance or need a break, or even wedding-themed trivia.
Alcohol can help loosen people up and get them out on the dance floor, but you don't want your guests to get drunk. A little bit can make things memorable, and people are more likely to stay longer and talk to new people.
Finally, if you're planning a dramatic exit, consider doing it during the last ten minutes of the reception. You could opt for a light-filled farewell with fireworks or sparklers, or a more intimate moment like a private last dance.
Wedding Venue Insurance: Vetting Vendors
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Entertainment
Wedding receptions are often several hours long, so it's important to have entertainment to keep your guests occupied and prevent the party from fizzling out. While some sources suggest that good food, drinks and music may be all you need, there are several other entertainment options you can choose from to make your wedding reception memorable.
Music and Dancing
Music and dancing are mainstays at wedding receptions. You can hire a DJ or a live band to perform at your wedding. Some bands you can consider include a string quartet, a jazz ensemble, a mariachi band or a tribute band. If you want to get your guests excited about dancing, you can provide photo booth-style props like big sunglasses, glow sticks, flower crowns, funny masks and hats.
Magicians and Caricaturists
Magicians can entertain your guests during cocktail hour and create a friendly atmosphere at the reception tables. Caricaturists can also liven up your cocktail event and provide your guests with memorable souvenirs.
Mixologists
Mixologists can create unique concoctions for your guests while answering any questions about flavour combinations. They can even employ visually beautiful methods such as fire and smoke.
Incognito Opera Singers
Incognito opera singers blend into your reception and provide a surprise factor for your guests. They can be disguised as waiters, cooks, wedding attendees or even a policeman before breaking into song.
Circus Performers
You can hire circus performers such as acrobats, fire dancers, stilt walkers, fire breathers, burlesque performers and fire walkers.
Casino Tables
If you want to bring the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to your wedding, you can put out casino tables at your reception. You can hire companies to provide tables and an expert croupier to run the games.
Garden Swings
Garden swings provide the perfect backdrop for photos, decorated with drapes, flowers and lights.
Bonfire
If you're having a wedding during the colder months, consider having a warm bonfire. This will allow you to have a s'mores station or ask people to tell stories around the fire.
Other Ideas
- Rent a bouncy castle
- Set up a miniature golf course
- Hire celebrity impersonators or drag performers
- Have a wheel of fun with custom activities that match your wedding theme
Ireland's Wedding Venues: Choosing the Perfect Location
You may want to see also
Explore related products
After-party
Wedding after-parties are a somewhat new trend, and a great way to continue the celebration in a more relaxed setting. This additional gathering takes place after the wedding reception, either planned or impromptu, and can be held in another area of the wedding venue or at a nearby location.
The after-party is a chance to let loose and get more comfortable with your guests. The formality level will influence the dress code for you and your guests. You can go for a club with a dance floor, or a cosy wine bar. A few candles and a disco ball can easily create a party atmosphere.
As the hosts, the couple is generally expected to pay for food, drinks, and entertainment at the after-party. It's a good idea to set aside some money in your wedding budget for this.
The after-party is a chance to let your hair down and have fun with your nearest and dearest. You can dance, drink, and socialise with your guests. Alcohol can help loosen people up and get them on the dance floor, but it's important to limit how much is consumed before the reception, so things don't get out of hand.
Finally, don't leave your exit too late, as most of your guests will likely be tired and ready to leave. A dramatic departure during the last ten minutes of the evening is a great way to end the night.
Planning a Wedding Reception: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to make your wedding reception stand out. You could hire a fire performer, a tattoo artist, a live wedding painter, a celebrity impersonator, a drag performer, a tarot card reader, a magician, or a photo booth. You could also have a quiz about you and your partner, and yard games for guests who don't want to dance.
Your menu can consist of an appetiser, an entree, and a dessert. The dessert could be the wedding cake. You could also provide a cocktail hour for guests to enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and a champagne beverage service.
Typically, the wedding party and family are introduced at the beginning of the reception. Then, the couple will have their first dance, followed by parent-child dances. Speeches and toasts are usually given while guests are eating. The couple may also give a thank-you speech at this time. The reception should last no more than five hours.
