Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A wedding reception to remember


Your wedding reception is probably the most important part of your wedding – it is the official celebration of your union with your family and your friends! With endless choices of wedding reception themes and styles, why not try something new and different instead of going with a “ traditional” one?


An “unconventional” reception done properly will have your guests talking about it long after it is over – a sure sign that it was a memorable event. You can be as creative with your ideas as you want, and to help you get inspired, here are some great suggestions :


● Garden reception in the morning with a delicious picnic spread
● Pool side barbeque
● Buffet-style reception with servings of food from all over the world, probably in memory of places you have been together
● Light cocktail reception with great entertainment and lots of mingling and interaction


Things to remember when planning your reception


Your reception style and venue should be one of the first things you decide on. Simply put, no venue means no wedding, and if you are choosing a venue that is very popular for weddings and other events, remember that you will need to make your reservations around 12 months in advance. Before you sign on the dotted line, go through the checklist below to help you decide on your venue :


● Size of your wedding ceremony (will it accommodate all your guests?)
● Price versus your budget.
● If your wedding ceremony takes place on the same day as your reception, will it be convenient for you and your guests to move from one venue to the other?
● Will the venue be exclusive to you, or will you have to share?
● Payment policy (e.g. deposits, full payment, when and how much?)
● Cancellation fees.
● What is included in the wedding package?
● Can you dictate or design the menu?
● Is there a menu sampling?
● Corkage fees, alcohol and related policies.
● Is a wedding cake included in the packages?
● Are reception decorations or flowers included?
● Are you allowed to bring in your own vendors for flowers, cakes, etc?
● Are entertainment and audiovisual systems provided?
● Time limit for your reception and extra charges for running overtime.
● Does the venue offer off-peak rates?
● If you would like to have a dance floor, do they have the space?
● Parking availability and policies.


Tips for cost-cutting :


● Hold your reception on a weekday.
● Cut out a course at your reception and serve your wedding cake as desert instead.
● Keep your guest list to minimum; intimate wedding receptions are a trend these days!


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