As you will come to realize all aspects of your wedding need to be planned down to the most minute detail If you are planning your own wedding then getting a game plan for your reception is crucial. Most people have never had to plan an event that involved more than 20-30 people. However many receptions have many more people than this so you need to become a logistical expert to have the reception you always dreamed about.
Obviously the first thing to determine will be the number of guests. This will allow you to begin getting estimates for the food and drink you will be serving as well as the entertainment and the cost of the venue. It will also help you determine the menu and the amount of decoration as well as the amount of help you will need to properly handle the reception.
Use your budget and number of guests to find out if you can afford an appetizer table, a buffet, or a sit down dinner. If you have the money you may want to add to the amount you are willing to spend to get what you want. Be sensitive to the fact that some guests will have special dietary needs and so ask about alternatives to the planned menu.
If you are having your wedding in the afternoon you may not even want to serve a dinner as that is early for most people. Find out from your vendors what most people do for the time of day you are having your wedding. Remember when planning the menu you will have different people with different dietary needs. Ask the caterer about how he can meet these needs.
Be sure and inquire about the costs of drinks at your reception. Depending on what you choose this can add greatly to the cost of the reception. The most expensive option is a fully stocked open bar. If you cannot afford this ask about a bar that serves only wine and beer. An even cheaper alternative is bar that offers only setups. Some people will offer a fully stocked bar but guests must purchase their own alcoholic beverages. You will also need to find out if liquor can be served at the venue you select.
Planning the reception is a daunting task many times as stressful as the ceremony itself. When you seek out vendors pick their brain for things you can do to get the type of reception you want at the price you want. Also try mixing and matching alternatives to see if you can get close to getting what you want at the price you want. Ask the caterer themselves what sort of suggestions they can make to get you what you want.
As with the wedding ceremony itself, planning the reception can be a grueling task. Be sure and fully utilize your vendors for ideas on how to get the things you really want at a price you can afford. Many have been in the business for years and so know numerous alternatives. Keep in mind that nothing is usually concrete so always try and negotiate a better price or more options whenever possible. Try different scenarios and see if you can reach a price point that is closer to your budgeted amount.
Obviously the first thing to determine will be the number of guests. This will allow you to begin getting estimates for the food and drink you will be serving as well as the entertainment and the cost of the venue. It will also help you determine the menu and the amount of decoration as well as the amount of help you will need to properly handle the reception.
Use your budget and number of guests to find out if you can afford an appetizer table, a buffet, or a sit down dinner. If you have the money you may want to add to the amount you are willing to spend to get what you want. Be sensitive to the fact that some guests will have special dietary needs and so ask about alternatives to the planned menu.
If you are having your wedding in the afternoon you may not even want to serve a dinner as that is early for most people. Find out from your vendors what most people do for the time of day you are having your wedding. Remember when planning the menu you will have different people with different dietary needs. Ask the caterer about how he can meet these needs.
Be sure and inquire about the costs of drinks at your reception. Depending on what you choose this can add greatly to the cost of the reception. The most expensive option is a fully stocked open bar. If you cannot afford this ask about a bar that serves only wine and beer. An even cheaper alternative is bar that offers only setups. Some people will offer a fully stocked bar but guests must purchase their own alcoholic beverages. You will also need to find out if liquor can be served at the venue you select.
Planning the reception is a daunting task many times as stressful as the ceremony itself. When you seek out vendors pick their brain for things you can do to get the type of reception you want at the price you want. Also try mixing and matching alternatives to see if you can get close to getting what you want at the price you want. Ask the caterer themselves what sort of suggestions they can make to get you what you want.
As with the wedding ceremony itself, planning the reception can be a grueling task. Be sure and fully utilize your vendors for ideas on how to get the things you really want at a price you can afford. Many have been in the business for years and so know numerous alternatives. Keep in mind that nothing is usually concrete so always try and negotiate a better price or more options whenever possible. Try different scenarios and see if you can reach a price point that is closer to your budgeted amount.
About the Author:
Terry Hudson is a wedding planner and poet and operates several websites that offer wedding chair covers and also wedding favors.
