After your beautiful ceremony has come to a close, it’s time to continue the celebration with a reception. This is one of the most important parts of your wedding day, as this is where you will share your joy with all those who have helped make your special day happen. With so many decisions to be made and details to consider, planning the perfect wedding reception can seem like an overwhelming task. However, with the right tools and advice, you can plan a reception that will leave you and your guests smiling for years to come!
Choosing Your Venue
Your venue sets the tone for your entire reception. When deciding on a location, first decide what type of atmosphere best represents you as a couple and then find a suitable place that meets those requirements. You should also consider how much space you need; some venues offer multiple rooms or outdoor spaces for cocktail hour or other activities. While some couples opt for traditional hotel ballrooms, others may choose something out of the ordinary like a local museum, park or wine country event center.
Determining Your Guest List
Once you’ve chosen your venue, it’s time to start putting together your guest list. When creating this list, remember that each person invited will likely bring at least one other guest (such as their partner). Before designing any seating charts or planning any engagement activities, be sure to finalize who will be attending your reception in order to get an accurate headcount.
Creating Engagement Activities
Your wedding reception should be filled with fun activities and opportunities for guests to interact with one another while still maintaining social distancing guidelines if necessary. Some popular engagement activities include photo booths (with props!), lawn games such as bocce ball or cornhole tosses, charades stations where guests can compete against one another in teams, and dance lessons if there is enough space available for dancing! You can also ask family members to give short speeches about their relationship with you two in order for everyone else attending the reception to get better acquainted with each other.
Planning a wedding reception doesn’t have to be stressful; by following these steps and keeping an open mind during the process, brides and grooms everywhere can create memorable receptions that will keep their guests talking long after they’ve said “I do!” From choosing your venue and creating engagement activities that suit both of your personalities as a couple all the way down to selecting menus for dinner and drinks—planning the perfect wedding takes careful consideration but always results in lasting memories that are sure to last forever! So don’t let yourself feel overwhelmed; take it one step at a time and enjoy every minute of it! Good luck!