Planning a wedding reception takes a lot of effort. Most people assume that this is the most straightforward procedure in the whole wedding planning process. However, there are a lot of activities and complex processes you must do. A wedding is a one-time process, making it necessary to plan well to make your wedding memorable. Below is a detailed process you can use to plan your wedding reception.

Set Your Wedding Date

Your wedding date sets up the pace of every other plan associated with it. Therefore, this is the most crucial step, among all other wedding plans. Setting up your wedding date requires you to consider several aspects.

Most people usually have a particular date in mind, but several factors might have them choose a different date. For instance, your preferred venue's availability can have a significant impact on your date. If you prefer having your wedding reception at a popular destination, you probably have to wait for long before you have a chance. That's why it is advisable to remain flexible with your date to allow your preferred wedding reception venue's availability.

The season and weather also matter a lot when choosing your wedding date. It can even go to the extent of influencing what you will wear and setting up your decoration. Consider the pros and cons of the weather in your area before deciding when to have your wedding.

Look at sentimental dates when deciding when to have your wedding. Take note of significant anniversaries and milestones in your relationship, your birthday, wedding anniversaries of a couple you admire, and any other date that would make your day memorable.

Finally, learn how a particular date would impact your overall wedding costs. Most people prefer having their wedding on Fridays, Sundays, or during weekdays to cut their costs. Choosing a less-demanding day can help you get your preferred wedding venue at a reasonable price.

Deciding on Your Reception's Budget

The last thing you need to have for your wedding is a reception above your financial capability. Therefore, you must decide on your reception's budget as early as possible to avoid any surprises when it's too late. The best way to avoid being caught off guard is by figuring out who'll contribute to the wedding, estimating your guest count, and doing thorough research.

Perhaps it's only you and your fiancé who will be contributing to your wedding. Would you like to overspend on your wedding reception, whereas other aspects of your marriage need spending? Probably this is not your expectations. If you have several people like your friends, relatives, or parents willing to contribute to your wedding, well, you can go ahead and plan an expensive reception budget. But as a warning, whenever you are asking someone to contribute to your wedding, it's good to be prepared to be disappointed even if you put a lot of hope in others.

The best way to approach your reception's budget is by lowering the numbers with your fiancé. Know how much you can comfortably contribute towards the wedding based on the time that you have, your monthly income, and how much you can pull from your existing savings accounts. With this, you will rest assured of a wedding reception that doesn't stretch your finances.

Decide on The Reception Type That Suits You

Nowadays there are two main types of wedding receptions: a sit-down meal or a buffet. However, you can also choose other variants like simple-cake cutting, picnics, and beach reception. Let's learn more about these types of receptions:

  • Buffet Receptions — In a buffet reception, expect a lot of food to be served. The only downside of a buffet is that there can be much food left-over if low attendance or attendees don't overeat.

  • Cocktail Receptions — A hip and modern reception that most people enjoy. It costs a little bit less than a sit-down but can be disorganized and hard to gain the guests' attention during the cake cutting and toasts.

  • Sit-down — A traditional wedding reception approach that works well when there will be lots of speeches. The only downside is that it can feel over-planned and expensive.

  • Simple Cake Cutting — Probably the most straightforward and cheapest wedding reception. Suitable for small parties and those who prefer having their wedding in a registry office. You can choose to have your reception in a local café and have tea, coffee, cupcakes, and cookies as your food.

  • Picnic reception — An excellent choice for nature-loving couples. Catering can be done using your local cafe. The only downside is unpredictable weather that puts your reception at risk of rain.

  • Yacht or Beach Reception — Similar to a picnic reception since it's outdoor. It can be quite expensive, especially when you have to hire a yacht that's big enough to handle a large group of guests. On its downside, some of your guests can find it relatively informal and can stretch your budget as well.

Decide How the Wedding Reception Program Will Run

There are a lot of elements that you should plan for during your wedding reception. It is recommendable to plan about these elements in advance to ensure that everything goes as planned. Here are some of the things you need to prepare for your wedding reception program.

Decide Whether You Will Have a Guest Receiving Line

A guest receiving line is a formality used in wedding receptions to greet and congratulate the newly-weds. It can be a good choice for your reception, but it can also have some downside you have to take note of. For instance, some of your guests can take this formality to be a little bit awkward, whereas others might find it tiring of waiting in line to have their opportunity. To make the receiving line easy, maintain an order that includes the bride's parents, groom's parents, the groom, maid of honor, and then the bridesmaids.

Decide Whether You'd Like to Be Announced While Entering the Reception

Announcing your entrance into the reception seems fun, especially when you are announced as "Mr. and Mrs." You should have this announcement set in your reception's program to ensure that the bandleader or DJ remembers to make it during your entrance.

Confirm whether You Will Have Toasts and if You Will Be Keeping Them Short

Toasts can be fun and fantastic when handled the right way. However, if they take too long, are overly sentimental, rude, and dull, they can become a pain. The best way to have your toasts is to take them between dinner courses and with two or three people speaking every time. The toasters should also keep it short and have someone in the wedding party save time and be strict about this. The wedding MC would preferably be the best person to ensure that every toaster keeps it short. As the bride and the groom, you can speak before cutting the cake.

Decide Whether You Will Have a Wedding Dance and When It Will Occur

Nowadays, almost all wedding receptions are marked with the newly-wed couples' dance after all courses are finished rather than having the dance in between courses. Newly-weds can choose to dance to any song of their liking besides the wedding son. You can also make the dance more memorable by having the bride dance with her father or the groom with his mother.

Ensure that Photography of the Reception is Organized

Your reception photos are as important as other photos were taken throughout your wedding. Organize pictures with your family and friends in specific locations of your wedding reception venue. You can also allow other guests to take instant photos and take the pictures with them in the evening. Ensure that there is enough time for the photography, and there are several cameramen involved in this part of the program.

Plan How the Food will be Served

The food that you serve to your wedding guests also matters a lot. Think of having a variety of foods that would cater to all dietary needs. Be prepared to provide gluten-free, vegetarian, and other variants as required. It's a good idea to ask your guests in advance whether they have any concerning allergies so that you can plan on a menu that accommodates everyone. You should also contact your catering services as early as possible and let them know about your menu preferences to ensure that every guest's need is met.

Find a Los Angeles Bridal Salon Near Me

Planning a wedding reception involves sourcing many wedding retailers and accessories. That's why you should hire a wedding planner to help you with planning your wedding and finding the ideal retailers. At the Beautiful Day Wedding, we are a wedding retailer specializing in attire.

Among other wedding plans, you need to dorn a dress that fulfills your desire for your memorable day. For more information about our luxurious line of beautiful dresses in Los Angeles, CA, contact us at 213-386-1900.