| Just beginning the wedding planning process? This is | | | | not include dancing, it is nice to use background music |
| the perfect time to learn all about organizing your | | | | to create ambiance. It could be as simple as recorded |
| wedding reception which follows the ceremony. | | | | music played over the venue's sound system, or you |
| Whether it is a large party or an intimate event, | | | | could splurge on a string quartet or harpist to play |
| most wedding receptions will include these same | | | | during dinner. Keep in mind that you will want to |
| basic elements. | | | | provide music for the cocktail hour, the dinner, and |
| Venue: It goes without saying that you need a place | | | | for dancing, if having all these distinct parts to your |
| to hold your reception, but not every bride knows | | | | reception. |
| how to begin finding a site. Start by considering | | | | Food: What would a party be without food? At the |
| location, particularly the proximity to the ceremony | | | | very minimum, the hosts should treat their guests to |
| location, if it will be in a different place than the | | | | cake and punch (appropriate for a very brief |
| reception. Try to limit driving time between the two | | | | reception in the church hall following the marriage |
| places to thirty minutes or less. Size matters, which is | | | | ceremony), although most weddings feature much |
| why you need a good sense of the number of | | | | more lavish spreads. Typically, the reception will kick |
| people on your guest list before booking a venue. | | | | off with a cocktail hour, during which assorted |
| Style matters, too. Make sure the venue meshes | | | | appetizers and drinks will be served, followed by a full |
| with your overall vision for your wedding, from the | | | | dinner. At fancy weddings, there may also be a |
| style of the bridal gown and jewelry (vintage, | | | | "Viennese hour" or dessert bar, and almost every |
| modern, classic?) right down to the colors and | | | | reception will have some form of wedding cake. |
| formality. Last, but not least, there is cost. | | | | Other: This category could include anything you need |
| Decorations: This category covers everything you will | | | | to rent to furnish your party, such as a tent, tables, |
| bring into the venue to give it your personal stamp. | | | | chairs, and place settings, if not provided by the |
| Decorations include centerpieces and other floral | | | | venue. It would also include wedding favors, place |
| arrangements, candles, and tablecloths. If your | | | | cards and escort cards, and the guest book. These |
| wedding will be more formal or grand, you may well | | | | details can range from extremely important (such as |
| have additional types of adornments. These could | | | | tables) to elements which are customary, but not |
| include rented crystal chandeliers for a bride who | | | | mandatory, such as the guest book. A lot of it will |
| loves the sparkle of crystal bridal jewelry and wants | | | | depend on the reception venue and the style of your |
| to bring that same kind of sparkle to her venue. | | | | wedding. |
| Other types of decorations could be ice sculptures, | | | | This is a good overview of the basics which are |
| fabric to drape ceilings or walls, and custom lighting. | | | | needed for virtually any wedding reception. Of course |
| Deciding on the decorations is one of the most fun | | | | you may have additional elements which you wish to |
| parts of planning a reception! | | | | add to your list, or for very small or casual weddings, |
| Music: Virtually every wedding reception will feature | | | | some of these items may not be needed. Once you |
| some sort of musical accompaniment. This could | | | | have selected your reception site, the event |
| range from a full orchestra, to a d.j., to an ipod, | | | | coordinator there can assist you in planning the |
| depending on your taste and the formality of your | | | | wedding reception of your dreams. |
| event. Even for short or small receptions which will | | | | |