Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding reception involves a lot of work, and there are many things to consider and buy. The first step is to decide on a budget and a venue, and then you can start thinking about the decorations, food, drinks, and entertainment. You'll need to hire a caterer, decide on a menu, and choose your beverages. You'll also need to think about the wedding cake, including the cake stand and cake topper, and any other extras like bubbles, sparklers, and photo booth props. Other items to consider include seating charts, table numbers, glassware, and a guest book. It's also a good idea to provide some small gifts or favours for your guests, such as personalised ornaments or something DIY.
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What You'll Learn
Food and drink: Catering, glassware, and tableware
Food and drink are an important part of your wedding reception. You could opt for a formal, sit-down dinner, a buffet, or even food trucks. If you're having a small wedding, you might want to consider having family prepare the food, or you could hire a caterer. Chicken is usually the most inexpensive option, but you could also consider vegetarian or vegan dishes.
If your ceremony and reception are at the same location, it's a good idea to provide food and drinks for your guests during the break. You could serve canapés and cocktails, or even a summer spritz. If you're on a budget, you could limit your drinks offering to a couple of options, and you might decide not to serve alcohol.
For the reception, you could set up a raw bar with seafood, or serve finger foods like mini-BLTs, sushi, or pizza. For a fun twist, you could set up picnic stations with baguettes and club sandwiches, or go for a retro diner theme with chicken tenders and waffle stacks. If you're getting married outdoors, you could provide s'mores or grilled food.
Don't forget to consider glassware and tableware. You could rent these, or buy disposable options.
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Decorations: Centrepieces, table numbers, seating charts, and lighting
Wedding centrepieces can be used to elevate the wedding's aesthetic and can be designed to fit any budget. Floral wreaths surrounding chunky candles are a simple yet effective centrepiece idea. For a rustic wedding, dried flowers and elderberry branches can add a charming DIY touch. Centrepieces can also be functional, such as a "pimp-your-drink" station with jars and ingredients for guests to customise their drinks.
When it comes to lighting, the right illumination can enhance the overall atmosphere and highlight specific details, creating memorable photo opportunities. It is important to consider the venue and time of day when planning the lighting. For outdoor weddings, identifying power sources and outlet locations is crucial, and sparklers can add a festive touch. If the venue has a no-open-flame policy, a lighting designer can suggest alternatives to achieve the desired effect.
Seating charts serve a practical purpose by guiding guests to their designated tables, while also contributing to the wedding's decor. They can be designed to complement the wedding's colour palette and theme. For a natural, rustic look, seating charts can be displayed on freestanding metal frames adorned with calligraphy or propped against a tree. For a more understated approach, a simple print on brown kraft-style paper can be paired with hanging plants or ivy for a subtle yet elegant touch.
Table numbers can be creatively designed to enhance the overall wedding decor. Unique ideas such as horse racing badges or other decorative items can be used in place of traditional numerical markers, adding a playful touch to the table setting.
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Entertainment: Music, games, and photo booths
Music is an integral part of wedding receptions. You can hire a string quartet, an acoustic singer, or a guitarist. Roving musicians and walkabout bands are also a fun addition to your wedding music. If you're looking for something more unique, consider a marching band (brass band or Mariachi band). Alternatively, you can curate a playlist with classic rock, pop songs, and other genres to suit your taste.
Games are a great way to entertain your guests and encourage interaction between different groups of people. Giant Jenga, cornhole, and outdoor games like a rustic swing are some popular options. You can also set up a piñata, a wheel of fun, or a mini casino. For more relaxed entertainment, provide board games and card games like Cards Against Humanity and Exploding Kittens.
Photo booths are a must-have at wedding receptions. They provide guests with memorable photos that act as wedding favors. You can choose from a variety of props, including funny quotes, faux glasses, boas, and hats, to match your wedding theme. A retro Volkswagen photo booth, for example, fits a vintage wedding theme.
Other entertainment ideas include tarot reading, a caricaturist, a magician, and animal visitors. You can also add a touch of sophistication with a ballet performance or liven things up with a drag performance.
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Wedding cake: Cake stand, cake topper, and cake-cutting knife
The wedding cake is a centrepiece of the reception, so it's important to have a beautiful cake stand, a unique cake topper, and a cake-cutting knife to match.
Cake Stand
A cake stand elevates your wedding cake, presenting it as a focal point of the reception. There are many styles to choose from, including wooden, acrylic, marble, and rustic farmhouse designs. Opt for a stand that complements the style and colour scheme of your wedding.
Cake Topper
The cake topper should reflect the couple's personality and style. From traditional figurines to modern acrylic lettering, there are endless options to choose from. You can include kids and pets, and even opt for funny toppers that celebrate the couple's sense of humour. Custom toppers are also available, featuring figurines that resemble the couple, with a variety of skin and hair colours to choose from.
Cake-Cutting Knife
A cake-cutting knife and server set is a must-have for the cake-cutting tradition. You can find elegant and inexpensive sets with unique handles in metallic gold, silver, rose gold, or blue accents. For a more personal touch, consider a customised set engraved with your names and wedding date, creating a cherished memento for years to come.
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Venue: Tents, dance floors, and insurance
Tents can be a great option for wedding receptions, offering flexibility in terms of location and design. They can be set up in a backyard, on a beach, a country club lawn, or even in a Hawaiian jungle. When choosing a tent, consider the type that best suits your needs, such as frame-style, sailcloth, structure, or conservatory tents. Ensure that the venue has good access for installation and removal, making the process smoother and less disruptive.
For a stunning visual impact, pay attention to the entrance of the tent and consider dramatic draping or a greenery-filled frame. You can also create a cozy atmosphere by incorporating soft textures and lighting, such as antler chandeliers or wood paneling. If your tent has support beams, weave them into your design by decorating them with garlands of greenery or vines.
Dance floors can be customized to fit your wedding style and decor. You can rent dance floors that match your theme, or create a unique look with boho-chic decor, such as a black and white checkerboard dance floor with natural-colored decorations. For an outdoor wedding, consider a large dark wood tile dance floor or simply dance on the beach under string lights. Add a personal touch with monograms, custom neon signs, or overhead decor like paper lanterns or disco balls.
Wedding insurance is an important consideration to protect your special day. It can cover unforeseen circumstances such as venue cancellation due to damage or extreme weather conditions, vendor no-shows, or illness/injury preventing key people from attending. Wedding insurance policies vary, so shop around for the best fit. You can choose from liability insurance, cancellation insurance, or a combination of both. Some providers even offer last-minute insurance options.
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Frequently asked questions
Some essentials to buy for a wedding reception include food and beverages, decorations, entertainment, and a wedding cake. You may also need to purchase or rent tables, chairs, glassware, and other dinnerware.
Popular wedding reception decorations include table numbers, seating charts, centrepieces, candles, and flowers. You may also want to consider adding a dance floor, lighting, and a photo booth with props.
Some unique ideas to buy for a wedding reception include sparklers for a sparkler send-off, wedding favours or DIY gifts for guests, and a card box to store cards, money, or small gifts. You could also create a signature cocktail or provide games for guests to play during cocktail hour.
