By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding reception will be the biggest party you will ever organize and host so it can be useful to pick up as many wedding reception tips as you can as your progress with your wedding planning.  A good source of tips and advice is from real brides – they have been there and done it, so they can offer you up some tried and tested tips which could make a big difference to your day.

Here are a few real brides tips to help you with your wedding reception planning:

‘Don’t loose sight of the budget and spend money on silly things’ – The golden rule of wedding planning! Your budget will dictate everything so keep it in check and avoid the temptation to overspend on little details for your wedding reception that you don’t really need.

‘Don’t get caught up in the details, people are there to see you married and have a good day.  Make sure you have a good time and everyone else will’ – In essence, spending all your time worrying about whether or not the ribbon on the wedding favors is the right shade of blue rather than finding some fab entertainment or fantastic catering could leave you and your guests a little disappointed.

‘We saved money on most things by making sure that we shopped around to products and services that give us the best value’ – always shop around and get quotes for everything before making any final decisions.  It will help your budget and you can find yourself with many more options than you thought possible.

‘Get family members to help you make things like favors and stationery’ – not only will this save you money, but it will also add the unique and personal touch to your reception.

‘Look for favors that can double up as place settings’ – have your guests names printed onto your wedding favors or include them on some pretty tags.  Doubling up on things like wedding favors and place cards will save you money and time.

‘Use the internet, I was never off it.  I found lots of bargains, offers and tips on websites that saved me money and gave me lots of ideas’ – the internet has revolutionized our lives and our weddings!  Use it wherever possible for supplies, decorations, favors etc.

‘Hold the speeches before the meal so the men can relax and enjoy their food’ – wedding speeches can be nerve racking for those who have to give them, so give them a break and get them over with sooner rather than later!

For other tips and advice from real brides check out your bridal magazines and sign up with online wedding forums where you can chat with other brides-to-be, brides who have just got married and many other wedding professionals.  They can be a fantastic source of tips, ideas and useful resources, so make the most of them.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

After you have decided on the venue & the style or theme of your wedding it is time to turn your attention to your reception room by bringing together everything you will need to create the ‘look’.

This is an exhaustive list, & by no means a complete one, as creative brides will often think up other little extras to add in.  But I have tried to cover the basics & it is up to you to then add in anything else you feel is necessary.

Furniture – The venue may provide all this for you, including tables, chairs, extra side tables etc.  If you are perhaps hiring an empty hall or erecting a marquee in the garden then you will need to bring in your own.  A marquee company may have furniture packages for you to choose from, although you might want to look elsewhere to get better prices.

You will need to hire in:

•  Tables – top table & smaller tables for your guests to sit at. If you are having a buffet then you will need long tables on which to layout the food.
• Side tables – to display your wedding cake on & one for the wedding gifts & guestbook. You might also want some small tables to display your flower arrangements on.
• Chairs
• Other items to consider are sofas, couches or benches so your guests can sit in comfort & relax in small groups, perhaps during the cocktail hour before moving to the dinner tables.

Table Linens – This includes table cloths, which can be large covers to cover the full table with smaller cloths over the top.  These are often presented in two colors according to the wedding scheme, for instance, a white cloth underneath with a pink one over the top.  Napkins in your chosen main wedding color, perhaps to match the top table cloth & chair covers.  Many brides choose to add these to bring some extra color or to hide ugly chairs.  Usually they are white but you may be able to get them in a range of other colors.  It is more common to use white ones with a colored sash tied around the top.

Don’t forget to hire in extra cloths for any additional tables & make sure you take into account the shape of your tables, round, square, rectangular, long.  Square cloths on round tables doesn’t work very well!  Be aware that is you hire in linens you will likely have to pay a cleaning charge as well.

China & Crockery – Again your venue may provide this but if it doesn’t or you do not like it then you will need to look to hire it in.  There a re many hire companies out there who can give you a range of styles & options to choose from, from classic white to vintage patterns, you can find crockery to match just about any wedding scheme.  Make sure you hire enough pieces & don’t forget that you will need plates for each course, bowls for dessert, side plates, serving plates & a few spares.  You should also think about coffee & tea cups along with milk jugs, coffee/tea pots & sugar bowls & extra plates on which to serve your wedding cake.  Take note of any charges for breakage & collection/delivery costs.

You might also want to look at adding in charger plates, which are large decorative plates which take the place of traditional place mats & sit underneath the main crockery.  They do make a nice decorative addition to your tables & are well worth considering.

Cutlery – From kings pattern to simple contemporary styles your choice of cutlery should also tie in with your wedding style.  A traditional wedding with lots of flowers & opulent touches would be complete with some luxurious gold plated kings style cutlery, whilst an Asian theme would be set off with some contemporary cutlery with bamboo style handles.

You will need to order the following items according to your menu:

• Knives & forks for the first course
• Soup spoons
• Fish knives & servers
• Knives & forks for each additional course
• Steak knives
• Dessert forks
• Dessert spoons
• Tea spoons
• Side knives – for bread & butter
• Servers – knives, spoons, tongs etc.

Don’t worry though as the hire company will be able to guide you, just furnish them with your menu & number of guests & they will do all the calculations for you.

Glassware – From cut crystal to smooth contemporary lines, your glassware can add the perfect finishing touches to your tables.  Some brides don’t like to use those often provided by venues as they can appear scratched or worn from years of being washed in a glass washer.  If you are a having a particular style or theme you may want a particular type of glassware to coordinate.

Glasses you will need to consider ordering include:

• Red wine glasses
• White wine glasses
• Champagne glasses
• Water glasses

These are the main types of glass usually found at a formal place setting.  Other types of glass such as beer or tumblers, will be provided by the venue or if you need to hire them in as well, you can choose a cheaper type as they won’t be part of your table settings.

Other items – You may also want to think about items such as hot food servers, chillers, serving platters, wine coolers or champagne buckets. A wedding cake stand if not provided by your cake maker.  There is also your entertainment to consider, things such as a dance floor, seating for your entertainment & tables.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Once you have the basics in place for your reception – tables, chairs etc, it is time to turn your attention to the details.  I have already discussed table cloths & linens in the reception shopping list & other items such as charger plates, so this is about all those other little details that will transform your reception room from bland & boring, into fabulous & wow!

Centerpieces – These are the decorative arrangements that will sit in the center of your tables.  Traditionally floral arrangements, these days anything goes & creative brides are coming up with ever more unusual versions for their reception tables.

You will need centerpieces for each of your guests tables, arrangements for the top table, in which you might want to include your bouquet in front of yourself & your groom & arrangements for additional tables such as the wedding cake & guestbook/gift tables, although many brides will use their bridesmaids bouquets for these tables.

Seating Plan - Essentially a map telling your guests where they are seated.  It is usual for the seating plan to be presented on a large board displayed at the entrance to the reception room.  You can make one yourself or have one custom made for you in your wedding colors & to match your wedding stationery.

Lighting - Lighting can be vitally important for your reception as it will help to set the tone & atmosphere.  Your venue may already have a good lighting system in place allowing you to adjust the lighting in certain areas as you want.  Alternatively you may have to introduce additional ceiling lights or change the shades on the existing one (get permission first!) & add in some table or floor lights too. 

Take some time to think carefully about your lighting, if possible visit the venue at different times of the day so you can see how the natural light plays out over the course of the afternoon & into the evening, this will help you come up with a lighting scheme that will keep the atmosphere at a constant.  Adding some candles to your tables or into your centerpieces will also help the ambience, but ask the venue first if you can light them.

Place Cards – Such an important addition to your tables is often overlooked by brides.  Your place cards will provide the final finishing touch to your place settings so take some time to consider how to best present them.  In their simplest form they are handwritten tent cards, but you can also purchase small frames or holders to set them off to perfection.

Wedding Favors - These are the little gifts you give to your guests as a token of appreciation for joining you on your wedding day.  Never overlook wedding favors, many guests will expect them!  Coordinate them with your wedding style or theme, including the packaging.  You can double them up as place card holders or make the place card holders the wedding favor! 

Additional Decorations - These can include floral arrangements, which you may have brought over from the ceremony site, banners, garlands, paper lanterns, ornaments.  Whatever your style or theme make sure you add to the whole scheme with some additional decorations to complete the look.  Check out hire companies which specialize in props or interiors for some interesting items.

Extras - This includes your guestbook, post box for cards, cake stand & servers.

By Georgina Clatworthy

When it comes to putting together your wedding theme, your choice of location for your wedding reception is an integral part.

As your wedding theme will be mostly played out at your reception you will want to use the same ideas as you have expressed in your wedding stationery & your ceremony.  Your reception should be a fun place to be, free from all the formalities of the ceremony, so you should aim to make the reception as comfortable & as welcoming as possible.

To create a unique wedding reception you need to think outside of the box & search for an unusual & creative location.  If you want to wow your guests then the local town hall probably won’t do it, no matter how much effort you go to with the decorations.  Finding a unique location will help unleash your inner creativity & help you to produce a reception that is totally your own design.

However, there are some essential details that you have to consider when it comes to planning your reception, no matter where you host it.

1. Weather / Environment - is the wedding reception inside or out?

2. Setup - If it is a non-traditional location then think about the following:

Power supply?

Parking?

Distance? Will your guests be prepared to drive there?

3. Cleanup, setup - A traditional wedding venue will have a system for cleaning up in place.  Make sure you enquire about this when you book, if they don’t have any system in place, then you will need to make arrangements for it to be done.

4. Theme - Will the location fit with your chosen theme? You don’t have to have a theme of course, but having one does help you to design the whole feel of your wedding.

5. Wow Value - If the wow factor is important, will this location give it? If you are not sure, then take some friends back with you for another visit & gauge their opinion.

Truly Unique Wedding Reception Locations

Cleared corn fields. For a rural, country or rustic theme this would be ideal.  Imagine it set out with a marquee, dance floor & a country & western band.

Sports Venues. If you or your partner have a favorite sport why not hold your reception at a sports ground? Look at golf, football or baseball grounds. 

High Rise Roof. Hold your wedding on the top of a skyscraper for an exhilarating & memorable party.  It maybe pricy & any guests with a fear of heights may be reluctant to attend!

Your choice of venue doesn’t have to be so unusual it will cost you a fortune to hire or worse still you will probably never find it.  There are plenty of more common venues that can have just the right blend of uniqueness & wow that you are looking for.  Try gardens, museums, beaches, lakes & mountains, farms, barns & vineyards.

And Saving Lots of Money in the Process

By Georgina Clatworthy

When it comes to planning the wedding reception, it pays to know exactly what your budget is.  The good news is that no matter what the size of your budget, large or small, there is a perfect reception venue available for everyone.

As a guide, your wedding budget should allocate 30% of the total to your reception.  Where costs can really start to mount is in the smaller details such as decorations, rentals & outside catering.  Here are some hints & tips to help you cut the cost of your reception food & drink, as well how to throw your reception on tight budget.

Renting a Hall

If you choose to rent a hall or large room for your reception, then there are several things that you will need to take in to account beforehand.  For example there is the cost of hiring the room, using their servers (many will have them include in the price & may not be negotiable), then there is the cost of decorations, flowers, food & beverages.

With hiring a hall there are several things that you will have to pay for, such as decorations & beverage. But some hall venues will give you a range of options to pick & choose as you like. 

Your choice of hall type will also have an impact on your budget.  For example a grand banqueting hall will typically cost more than a community hall.  Another consideration is if your budget is small to start with, then renting a hall could leave you with more effort & fewer options than booking a package with a different style of venue.

Here are some tips about renting a hall & keeping your costs down.

1.  Halls should only be considered if you have 50 or more guests on your list.

2.  Choose between an open bar or a cash bar for your reception, when renting a hall.  An good alternative is to provide beer yourselves & have a cash bar for those want a mixed drink.

3.  Choose a hall you can decorate yourselves.

4. If you need servers, then choose a hall that has them included in the price or one that will let you bring your own.

5. Make sure your choice of hall will cater to your needs & budget.

6. Avoid extra costs for catering & hire a hall that will let you supply your own food.

7. Save money on your catering with finger foods, vegetable & fruit trays.  This will also cater to the vegetarians among your guests.  

8. A casual style buffet reception will be cheaper than a formal sit down meal.  

9. Have a cash bar as an alternative to giving a wedding gift. It is a great way to accommodate your guests & will save you money on the hall hire.  

10. Choose a midweek wedding date as weekend dates are always more expensive.

11. Good rates can be had for winter time weddings.  

12. Pay by cash & negotiate a deal on the price for doing so.  Most venues will have to pay a charge to accept payments by credit cards so they are more likely to agree.  

13. You can save on your catering costs by holding the reception in the daytime & offer just canapés or snacks, rather than a formal evening meal.

Having a hall wedding reception needn’t cost you the earth, particularly if you pull some of the tricks I have mentioned.  Also consider holding your reception outdoors.  Some may think that an indoors reception is more elegant than an outdoors one, but this needn’t be the case & an outdoor event can be more fun & cost you less.

By Georgina Clatworthy

A black & white color scheme for a wedding is nothing new & has been a firm favorite amongst brides for many years, only occasionally dipping out of favor.  But recently the scheme has come back with a vengeance, & is once again a popular choice for today’s brides.

However, I am not talking about plain & boring black & white.  Today’s scheme’s are far more textural & involve sophisticated prints, clever combinations & eye-catching designs.  Black & white schemes at today’s weddings are the height of elegance & sophistication & which provide a feast for the senses.

Creative bride’s are thinking outside the box with this choice of colors & have learnt to combine a splash of color to great effect.  Plain fabrics are out & instead brides are choosing pinstripes, damask or baroque prints for their linens.  Splashes of red or yellow brighten the look, & deep red or purple give a more gothic feel. 

A Star is Born: How Black & White Hit the Big Time

Some color combinations are timeless classics.  Black & white is one of these.  For some years now chocolate brown has been the color of choice, but the Art Deco feel of black & white has always had appeal & has never strayed out of fashion. 

Many brides are opting for a clean modern look rather than the frilly affairs of old.  Vintage has been a craze within fashion & interiors for a number of years now & that look & feel of retro style has spilled over into weddings too.  40’s glamour is a big hit & brides everywhere are achieving it with a classic combination of black & white.

Sultry Sirens & Classic Cars: A Fantasy 40s Wedding

A black & white scheme does lean very much towards old Hollywood & the golden years of 40’s film making.  Sultry is the key word & the advice is to keep the look pure, avoiding accents except for shimmer & classic red.  Metallic’s work really well & you can add a splash of color with arrangements of classic red roses.

When it comes to wedding attire choose elegant silk gowns, gloves, jewels & cocktail dresses with crinoline skirts.  Have your men wearing white dinner suits & black bow ties, for a Casablanca look, or even choose sharp pinstripe suits.  And, when it comes to transportation it has to be vintage cars.

From the beach to Fifth Avenue, Why Aqua is a Class Act

By Georgina Clatworthy

A wedding scheme in stunning & vibrant aqua blue can make for a feast for the imagination & the eyes.  This beautiful shade of blue can be adapted for classiest & the brightest of settings.  So how can you incorporate it into your wedding color scheme?

Pulling off Your Own Aqua Blue Wedding

If you have chosen aqua blue as your main wedding color chances are you will have teamed it with accent shades such as white, cream & pearl, whilst your decorations will also include cream roses & lots of crystal.  But modern combinations of aqua with chocolate brown, platinum & pale pink are becoming more popular.  For beach weddings aqua is seen to be combined with orange, fuchsia & yellow & some brave brides even combine it with red.

It is a color that can work within many settings & combine with many others to create the look & feel you require.  Combine it with accents such as pearls, seashells, crystals & ostrich feathers, or choose a combination that is all your own.

Aqua Blue and Crystal

For the crystal bride a gown encrusted with Swarovski beads & a matching tiara is the only way to sparkle.  You will probably choose a crystal bouquet or have crystals added to a fresh flower bouquet.  Your bridesmaids will probably wear aqua blue dresses & the hair will be adorned with crystal slides or pins.

If you have chosen a marquee for your wedding reception, you can decorate it with strings of fairy lights or crystal chandeliers.  Use crystal studded frames to display your guests place cards & top your cake with a crystal tiara topper & cream roses.

Aqua & Platinum

Combine graceful silver vases with white roses & sleek candlesticks enhanced with scattered white rose petals.  Choose a custom made silver monogram to top your cake & simple brushed silver frames for your guests name cards.

Serve your wedding menu on plain white china sitting atop a silver charger plate.  During cocktail hour serve up signature cocktails with Blue Curacao & pineapple juice in glasses encrusted with a blue sugar rim.

Aqua Hits the Beach

Probably the favorite color of beach brides everywhere, aqua blue is evocative of the ocean & sunny blue skies.  Be bold & team it with vibrant colors like fuchsia, coral or aubergine.  Choose beautiful peonies, fuchsia orchids, coral roses or proteas for your flowers.

Aqua Goes to Paris

Go for a flamboyant theme with tall vases arranged with large ostrich feathers & scatter the tables with a combination of rose petals & marabou feathers.  Have chic buttonholes made with white roses, marabou feathers & aqua ribbon, this stunning combination can also be carried off in your bouquet – choose white roses, a collar of feathers & a wrap of aqua blue ribbon around the stems.

More Aqua Tips for Any Bride

Create elegant centerpieces with pave roses arranged tightly in aqua blue wooden boxes or glass vases.  Or for a more simple look make hand tied posies of white & blush roses & stand in square glass vases, trimmed with aqua ribbon.

Candy bars are all the rage at the moment, so create one with white & aqua candies, such as almonds in white & blue, candy coated chocolates & conversation hearts.

By Georgina Clatworthy

If you have never done a menu for a large event before, the prospect can seem quite daunting.  Don’t worry – here is an easy step-by-step guide to planning your wedding reception menu with some money saving tips included.

Here’s How:

• 1. Time of the Wedding Reception Think about the time of year & the time of day when you will have your reception. Will you have a delightful meal on a summer’s afternoon or an elegant feast on a winter’s evening? This decision will be important & will also depend on the availability of your chosen venue.
• 2. Cost Refer to your wedding budget & make sure your meal choices are within it. Fillet steak may not be an option if your budget is restricted. Remember the more dishes & choices you include on your menu the more expensive it will be. If you are working with a very tight budget, you may want to consider a cocktail party with trays of hors d’ oeuvres or an elegant afternoon tea party with sandwiches, cakes & fancy pastries.
• 3. Caterer Recommendations ask your caterer what they would recommend. Work with them to produce a menu that is within your budget yet to your liking & that of your guests. If you are catering your wedding yourself, choose recipes that are a sure crowd-pleaser.
• 4. Offer variety Set out tables laid with finger foods including both hot & cold. Also have some waiters walking around with trays of hors d’oeuvres. This will give your guests the option to help themselves from the tables or simply wait for the waiter to pass by, particularly if they are deep in conversation!
• 5. Special Touches Your menu should reflect something of your own tastes & personality, so you may like to ask your caterer if they can include dishes you both like or if they can incorporate a family favorite or recipe.
• 6. Heritage If your wedding is bringing together different cultures then try to include dishes from each culture within your menu. It will help guests to bond over shared experiences & bring in a touch of your own cultural heritage. If the cultures involved are so distinctly different that they couldn’t possibly share a menu together, consider dividing dishes between the main meal & cocktail hour or the evening buffet.
• 7. Change Things Up Think about providing something different for your reception meal. In recent times, there has been a trend towards having a dessert buffet rather than a formal sit down meal. This is great for guests with a sweet tooth & is a great budget saver.
• 8. Try It Out Always arrange a tasting. It will help you refine the menu with the best dishes & it won’t mean any nasty surprises on the day. Most caterers will provide this free to the bride & groom, but ask if other members of your wedding party can attend too, such as your parents. They can give their opinions on the dishes & can help you finalize your menu.
• 9. Be a Considerate Host Some of your guests may have certain dietary requirements, which you should find out about prior to finalizing your menu. Check that your caterer can provide dishes to these requirements. In many cases couples add in vegetarian options to the menu, but check that the vegetarian option is not just a bland nut roast or mushroom soup!
• 10. Double Check Get you menu written out in it’s entirety before you finalize it. This way you can see if anything is missing or if you have perhaps included too much – for instance how many side dishes do you really need? Do you really need to offer so many options for dessert or starter? Be sure to meet your caterers deadline when it comes to making the final decisions or you could find yourself increasing your costs & with a very stressed caterer on your hands!

Crucial Questions You Should Ask Before Signing on the Dotted Line

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your choice of wedding reception venue will the one of the most important factors of your wedding day.  This is where a large portion of your budget will be spent & so particular importance is placed on getting the right location.

Before you book any of your suppliers prepare a list of questions to ask them.  Separate your questions into those that are most important to you & those that you can be flexible on.  If your first choice of venue doesn’t tick all the boxes for your important questions then you should think about looking elsewhere.

Here is a list of ten questions to help you get started.

• 1. Can we supply our own wine & drink? What is your corkage charge?
• 2. Are there disabled facilities?
• 3. Can you cater for any specific dietary requirements?
• 4. Will there be any other weddings on the same day?
• 5. Can we have a firework display?
• 6. What time can we hold the evening reception till? Can we have a late bar?
• 7. Will we be allowed lit candles?
• 8. For hotels – what time can our guests check in at on the day of the wedding & check out the day after?
• 9. Are there any noise restrictions, can we have live music?
• 10. Will you require us to use your preferred list of suppliers or can we hire our own?

What you Need to Consider Before Booking

By Georgina Clatworthy

Whatever form your ideal venue will take, be it a castle, stately home or inn, there are a lot of things you should take into account before you make your final decision on where to hold your wedding reception.

The location of your venue will be one of the most important decisions you will make about your wedding day.  It will be where you spend most of the day & where you will host your guests to the wedding breakfast & evening reception.  You may also have your ceremony there.  Before you begin looking at venues, decide between you how you envisage your wedding day & the look & feel you both want.

If you decide on a civil ceremony then you can look for venues which are licensed to conduct marriages & where you can also hold your reception.  Ask at your local government offices for a list of licensed premises.

If you prefer to have a religious ceremony there is a general rule that your venue should be no more than 20 minutes from the ceremony venue, so your guests don’t have to travel very far between them.  This also applies if your are having a register office wedding.

Start researching your venue by looking for & asking for recommendations.  You may also want to consider places you have visited as a wedding guest in the past.  When you find a venue you think may be perfect, ring & ask for a brochure first or check them out online.  Ask if your wedding date is free, there is no point visiting if they cannot accommodate on your chosen day.  After you have received the brochures ring & make appointments to visit them if they still make your shortlist.

If your perfect reception includes a formal sit down meal then you will need to consider the size of the venue & if it will be big enough to accommodate all your guests.  Check out places with large function rooms or if they have large grounds in which you could erect a marquee.  If you would prefer a less formal buffet then smaller rooms or a series of linked rooms would be adequate.

Don’t be tempted to hire a large function when you are intent on an intimate gathering of 50 or less guests.  This will invariably cost you more & the vast empty space will make it feel as though half your guests haven’t turned up.  Hire a venue with room size in mind as it will have an impact on the style & atmosphere of your reception.

You may alredy have an idea of how you want your reception to look & feel, perhaps you have chosen a color scheme or set a theme for the day.  Be sure that the setting of your reception & the staff can work with you to create your dream.  View each potential location as though it were already laid out with your chosen decorations & scheme.  A plain room will require more imaginative decoration, where as a room with ornate decoration, such as a ballroom, will require less.

If you are dreaming a fully themed reception but are struggling to find the ideal venue, considering hiring a hall somewhere as they are often very plain in decoration & will be easy personalize.

Ask about catering packages at the venue.  They will often have several packages for weddings including formal sit-down menus & buffet menus, often with drinks included.  Within these packages may also be the cost of linen hire e.g table cloths, chair covers & napkins, & also staff for your reception.  All of this should be included in the price per head you are quoted at the time of asking.  Other venues such as stately homes will allow you to bring your own caters, whilst some will prefer you to use suppliers from their recommended list.  If you supply your own drink ask about the corkage fee.  It is important that you know about all the extras as the price of your venue can easily mount up.

If you are lucky enough to live in a large house or have large grounds, you can have your reception at home.  Be realistic, your own home may only be large enough for an intimate gathering of fewer than 50 guests & may only provide for a fairly simple party.

After you have made your final choice ask for written confirmation of everything you have ordered & double check the small print before you sign.  You can expect to pay a deposit upon booking with the balance usually due shortly before the wedding day & once your final numbers have been confirmed.  After that all you need to do is work out your menu & seating plan!