Reecption Planning Tips
When planning your seating arrangements, please try to avoid seating sound sensitive guests or those who may find moderate volume levels objectionable near the DJ area. We want to be sure that people in the back of the room can hear clearly and don’t want to cause discomfort to any of your guests due to sound level.If you are planning to do a receiving line, it is best to begin at the start of the Cocktail Hour and end about fifteen minutes before the end of the Cocktail Hour.It is best for your photographer not to take posed Bride and Groom photos after desert, your guests will be ready for the reception celebration, dancing, and other events to begin and will be anxious to get started. It is best that time is scheduled for portraits before or during the cocktail hour. Your photographer will be “capturing” the fun and celebration during your reception. It is best that you plan for your DJ to set up at the edge of the dance floor. Your DJ will be acting as Master of Ceremonies and interacting with you and your guests, it is much better for them to be close to the dance floor area where everything will be happening. If you wish your reception to be the best party-like atmosphere it can be, it is best to have the reception start in the late afternoon, between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Also, guests are more likely not to make other plans, or leave early. Allow about one hour for cocktails & arrivals and one hour for a served dinner, about forty-five minutes for a buffet style dinner. The bride and groom are the center of attention, and play a big part in setting the tone of your reception. When you dance, the dance floor will be full, when you sit and socialize, many of your guests will do the same. Bring comfortable shoes and dance! Schedule your photographer and videographer to be on hand for all your special events. This will avoid having to rush through the cake cutting, bouquet toss, send off etc. because of time restraints. Make it clear in your contract how long you expect them to stay. It’s a good idea to give a member of your wedding party an emergency kit with extra buttons, thread, needles, safety pins, tape, scissors and other things that might be handy in case of a 'minor' emergency. Assign a trusted family member or friend the role of paying the vendors. Place the cash or check for each vendor in an envelope and seal it. Write the name of the vendor on the front, as well as any directions for when and how the payment should be given.Make sure your Best Man, or whoever you choose, know before the reception that they should be making a toast, so they won't be surprised. Often a short story from each about how they know you and your spouse will suffice. Funny stories are great too!
It’s best to place your wedding cake away from areas where guests will be walking or moving about.
The most important way to remove stress from a wedding reception is to do all the planning, legwork and obsessing in advance. Once the day arrives, remember what it’s all about, love and lifelong commitment!You are working with experienced professionals who will insure your reception is great… relax and enjoy your big day!