PLANNING THE RECEPTION

Choosing Reception Location

You will need to decide where your reception will be held. In our First Things First section, you will find information that will outline some things to think about when considering locations.

Receptions are simply parties, put on to help you celebrate your big event. So think Party! What kind of party is it to be? Quiet, intimate, a chance to talk to everyone in attendance? Loud, boisterous, full of dancing and lasting late into the night? Formal, elegant, sit down dining with servers or casual, fun buffet dining with "something for everyone"?

Are you willing to do the work yourself? Or would you rather let someone else do it while you enjoy your day? Some popular locations for receptions are local hotel ball rooms, outside in parks or large backyards (consider rain), in a church social hall, in a popular bar or lounge, restaurant banquet rooms & quiet Inns.

Some things to consider when deciding where to hold your reception, include the following. Be sure to make a preliminary guest list along with both sets of parents, so you will have a realistic idea of how many people you will need to accommodate. Keep your budget in mind, and remember that the largest cost of your wedding is typically the reception.

• Are the dates and times we want available?
  
• What kind of reception do we want? Sit down? Buffet? Backyard barbecue?
  
• Will we have dancing?
  
• Will we need a DJ or band?
  
• How long can we have the facility? How soon can we decorate and how late can we stay?
  
• Is setup and cleanup included in our cost?
  
• Are table linens, place settings, pitchers of water, etc. included in our cost?
  
• How much decorating are we allowed to do? Is someone available to assist us?
  
• Can we have the room set up the way we would like or is there a standard way?
  
• Is it a private area or a public area?
  
• Are there any other specials available if we use this facility?
  
• Must we use your caterer or can we bring in our own food or another caterer?
  
• Can we bring our own wedding cake?
  
• Is bar service available? What options do we have?
  
• Is there adequate parking for our guests?
  
• Is the location convenient in relation to the ceremony site?
  
• Can we hold our ceremony on this site if choose to do so?

All in One Weddings and Receptions

Most churches have a social hall, which can be used for a reception. These tend to be better suited for short, cake and coffee type receptions and can be quite inexpensive.

If you don't have your heart set on a church for your ceremony, there are a lot of options for having your ceremony and reception in one location. Check out local Historical areas, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Hotels, and area scenic locations. If you are planning to use a public area, remember it is just that, public, and that means that anyone is able to attend. There will most likely be certain rules and regulations that you will need to adhere to, as well.

Planning your Reception

Your reception is really nothing more than a wonderful party to celebrate your new union. It can be a very quiet, subdued and intimate affair or a huge, elaborate bash. How and where you choose to celebrate will depend on your preferences, the number of guests you plan to invite and your budget. Your reception will most likely be the highest cost of your wedding.

Receptions can be held in the church social hall, but keep in mind that there will probably be a number of restrictions regarding alcohol, music, number of guests, etc. You can also check out private club locations such as "Elks" or "Eagles," VFW Halls, Grange Halls, Country Club Houses, etc. These locations are often fairly inexpensive and usually don't have many restrictions, however, they may also be "open to their members" during your reception.

Wonderful celebrations can be held at home, in a lovely large backyard or garden. You are only limited by your imagination and probably the weather. Keep in mind the availability of restroom facilities, the number of guests roaming through your home to use the facilities, parking considerations and the work that will need to be done to prepare and clean up for such a large event.

Many restaurants have "banquet rooms" that you can rent. If you choose this option, you may not be able to have music and/or dancing. This is an excellent choice if you want a quiet celebration.

One of the easiest, but most expensive alternatives is a ballroom in a hotel facility. There will most likely be an event coordinator who can help you plan and budget for your reception, reserve rooms for your out of town guests, help you choose a menu and determine how much food you will need and assist you with any problems which may arise. The cost of the room and/or food typically includes all setup, cleanup, serving staff, linens, table service, dance floor, microphone, etc. There is usually an "in house" caterer and bar service. Quite often, they may even throw in the Honeymoon Suite or another nice room for the night. It truly is a "package" deal. The facilities are usually quite lovely, but always take a tour, get a menu, and make sure you understand exactly what is or is not included. Get everything in writing.

There are a number of other alternatives as well. Consider a reception on a local cruise boat, in a quaint Inn, or at any of our beautiful local scenic sites. Just be sure to check with your local officials for rules regarding large gatherings, setting up tables & chairs and noise or parking restrictions.