5 things to consider when planning your wedding reception
Let’s be real—wedding planning can be overwhelming. From choosing a color palette, contacting vendors, managing a budget, to creating a guest list, there are a lot of things you need to consider before you can just say “I do” and dance off into the sunset. And on top of that, the day itself and what it means can be overwhelming too! You’re making a commitment to another person in front of your friends and family. This is a big life milestone. So it’s no wonder all of these emotions and stressors can distract from what really matters on that day. You two and your love.
One way to ensure you and your partner can focus on what really matters and properly celebrate your day is by planning ahead. Maybe you know your date and venue, maybe you’ve had your photographer picked out for years, and maybe you already know the overall vibe you want—whether it’s rustic, timeless, bohemian, you have a Pinterest board created and you’re ready to tell your vendors what you’re imaging. That is fantastic! You’re off to an amazing start.
Now, let’s think about those more minor details. The ones that are just as important as a color palette, but are not as quickly thought of or considered in the wedding planning process. I’m talking about your wedding reception and all of the traditions that go along with it.
While the ceremony is going to obviously be a huge highlight, the reception is what truly sets the tone for your wedding and your guests’ experiences. There’s food, dancing, speeches, and maybe even some unique traditions that are special to you two!
5 wedding reception details to consider when for your wedding
Here are five reception details that you may not have thought of but definitely should consider when planning your wedding:
What kind of reception are you going to have?
Will you be having a formal wedding reception with assigned seating, a three-course meal, and toasts? Or maybe you want something more casual with a seat yourself option, buffet style catering, and open mic speeches for anyone who wants to share? Whatever the case may be, consider the vibe you want for your reception. The formality of your reception can ultimately affect your dress code, timeline, the vendors you hire, and details you may need to plan for (like a seating chart).
Do you want a sweetheart table?
Will you be sitting with your guests or will you be at an intimate table with your partner? Knowing this detail can help you determine a seating chart, where you want your wedding party to sit, reception table layout plan, and even determine if you need additional florals to make your space romantic and special.
Do you want to be officially announced as you enter your wedding reception?
This is when your DJ or bandleader introduces you to your guests who are already seated at your reception site. They can introduce just you two, your entire wedding party, and even your parents. It’s up to you! But it is important to consider, that way you can let your entertainment vendor and wedding party know in advance, and your photographer can be prepared to capture your grand entrance and include it in your timeline. You’ll then also want to consider creating a script or provide the names and order to your DJ so they know who to call out as they enter.
Will there be toasts?
Toasts can be so much fun and a sweet moment for your guests to share or learn about you and your love. That being said, they can also be incredibly time consuming and potentially stressful to the speech-giver. If you’re going to have toasts, I recommend limiting them to three to five minutes and no more than three at a time. If you’re going to limit toasts to just the wedding party and family, make sure to let those people know so that they can prepare something in advance!
What kind of traditions do you want to incorporate into your reception?
Do you want to do a garter or bouquet toss? Maybe you want to do a father-daughter dance or just a first dance? Or maybe you want to do something incredibly unique and special to you two, like planting a tree, serenading your partner, or performing a choreographed dance. The possibilities are endless! So be sure to let your wedding planner, photographer, venue, and participants know well in advance so that these traditions can be planned and prepared for.
These are just five of an endless number of things to consider when planning your wedding reception. Overall, the most important thing about planning your wedding reception is having your must-haves determined (whether that’s toasts, dancing, bouquet toss) and communicating to those involved in their execution in advance. Because the last thing you want on your wedding day is to be stressed out because you don’t have time to do something you really wanted and been dreaming about.
My advice: plan ahead and over communicate everything!
Cheers,
Emma
Like what you see?
This wildly rustic alfresco dining experience was created by incredibly talented Santa Barbara wedding vendors who share a common passion: Making your wedding day stunning and unforgettable. If you like what you see, I encourage you to reach out to these vendors to help you create your dream wedding!
Floral design | Wild West Florals
Event planning | West Coast Gather Co
Catering | Goodland Graze
Photography | Emma Nicole Photography
Cheers,
Emma
