While your wedding day is about you and your love, most couples want to make sure their guests enjoy the day too. In most cases, guests have traveled, bought new attire and presented the couple with a gift. When you plan your wedding reception with your guests in mind, what you are doing is telling them you appreciate their attendance and value them. Here are some tips to a make your wedding reception one guests remember – and enjoy.
Table assignments. Seating charts may sound like a lot of work, but they can help to set you and your guests at ease. Guests can immediately relax when they know a seat has been reserved for them. They don’t have to think “am I sitting too close”, “should family be at this table” or “how am I going to make small talk with people I don’t know”. Some of your guests may possess the social skills to mix with any group. And some may be shy around new people. When you consider the personalities of your guests, you can select the right mix for the table. Similar careers or hobbies give your guests a starting point for conversation.
Guest book welcome table. Much like table assignments, guests want to feel comfortable and knowing what to do and where to be can help to ease anxiety. Consider having a welcome table that includes your guest sign in book and table assignments. It is also quite popular to include photographs, wishing trees and guest favors. You can turn the area into a thank you table at the end by displaying a new photo of you holding thank you signs and treats for guests to take home.
Midday activities. If there is a long gap between your ceremony and cocktail hour, consider adding ideas for how guests might spend that time to your ceremony program. Those who are unfamiliar with the area might appreciate knowing where shopping, local points of interest or restaurants are located. Some families host a lunch for out of town guests.
Cocktail hour. Your wedding cocktail hour is an event that is for your guests comfort and convenience. Many couples do not attend their cocktail hour as they are often photographing their Romantics session or want to make their first appearance during their grand entrance. Cocktail hour is not meant to be a mini dinner. Vegetables, cheeses and a few finger foods are plenty during this time. If possible, avoid items requiring forks and knives unless you have ample seating and tables for guests to sit. A few servers passing hors d’oeuvres and a small area where guests can serve themselves is a convenient option for your guests .
Dinner options. Many couples are opting to include a vegetarian, vegan or gluten free option in their dinner service to accommodate the dietary needs of guests. If you are aware of guests with such needs, be sure to speak with your catering manager to see what options may be available.
Acknowledge guests. One of the biggest complaints by wedding reception guests, is not being acknowledged for their attendance. (Click here to read the others.) While most couples no longer do a receiving line, thanking your guests is still important. Most couples visit with guests during dinner service – one of the perks of being the bride and groom is you are served and finish dinner before guests. If you aren’t able to get to all the tables during that time, be sure to visit with guests during your reception.
Tell them the order of the day. While you would love to have guests attend your wedding ceremony, on average about 70% will. Informing them on the invitation of the start time of cocktail hour and dinner service allows guests to attend the events that work best for them. If you will have a late dinner service, this will inform guests if they should consider a snack during the downtime.
Song requests. When creating your play lists with your wedding DJ, it is recommended to leave enough room to allow guests to make song requests. Guests have expectations of songs they love to dance to at weddings. Allowing your wedding DJ to honor those requests is sure to please your reception guests.
Guest favors. Guest favors do not have to be budget busters! A small box of chocolate, photo frame, or an item in keeping with your wedding theme are popular choices.
Reception traditions. Guests expect a certain amount of tradition at your wedding reception – the cake cutting, the father daughter dance and first dance of the couple mainly. Once the reception traditions have been completed, your guests are ready to take the dance floor. While the tradition of tossing the bouquet and garter has lost some of its popularity, some couples still do so. If you are taking part in any reception traditions, it is recommended to complete those events early in your wedding reception so that those waiting to see them can, and the rest can party for the remainder of the night!
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