5 Elements That Make for an Unforgettable Wedding Reception!

While the ceremony is a significant and beautiful part of any wedding, we all know the reception is where the real fun begins! But, planning a reception can be very intimidating. From deciding on the right menu to please all guests to the reception decor, to seating arrangements, it can be hard to know where to begin. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!

Here are five helpful tips to ensure your wedding reception is a huge success:

 

1. Thoughtful seating arrangements and clear seating chart.

Have you ever gone to a wedding reception and felt out of place at the table you were assigned to? Well, I have, and let me tell you, it’s the worst feeling! To avoid putting your guests through that, I highly recommend assigning seats that create the best dynamic for good conversation and connection. You want every guest to be around people they can connect with. There’s nothing worse than someone who’s single sitting at a table full of couples with children. It’s essential to take time to thoughtfully decide where each of your guests should sit. It takes time to plan this properly, but it’s so important to provide your guests with the best possible experience.

Photo by Eric Kelley

 

2. Lounge areas.

It’s a good idea to have lounge areas where people who don’t like dancing can chat. You don’t want guests to feel stuck at their table all night. You also don’t want to spread the crowd too thin, so It’s best to keep these lounge areas in the same room as the dance floor, if possible. That also allows people who don’t dance to still be a part of the joyful dance floor vibe.

Photo by Sean Cook Wedding Photography

 

3. Good entertainment.

Whether you want an exciting DJ, a festive band, or soothing music, the quality of the entertainment is crucial. If you have music that doesn’t appeal to you and your guests or a DJ who can’t ready the dance floor, it will ruin all the fun. Entertainment is one of the 3 pillars of your reception (right behind food & beverage), so make sure you invest in high-quality entertainment. You only get one shot!

Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

 

4. Great service.

Yes, food quality is very important! It’s not a real party without delicious food! But, it’s just as important to get a caterer that offers high-quality service as well. Tables should be cleaned as soon as your guests are done eating. You don’t want dirty plates lingering on the table! No guest should be struggling to get a hold of staff to ask a simple question, either. So, make sure your caterer offers high-quality service. It doesn’t matter if you’re serving fine cuisine or having a pic-nic-style luncheon; good service is a must.

Photo by Jen Rodriguez Photography 

 

5. Organization.

For your reception to flow smoothly, guests need to know where to go and when. Having someone direct everything, answer questions, and take care of each aspect of the night is essential to make guests feel welcome and at ease. A disorganized reception can delay your timeline and keep everyone from having a good time. Ideally, you’d want to have a full-service wedding planner, but I understand that’s not always within budget. However, you should at least have someone come in a few months ahead of the wedding day. They can help you line everything up and make sure your wedding reception runs as smoothly as possible.

Photo by Joel Serrato Film Photographer

You don’t want your reception to be the one everyone wants to leave. Keeping these five tips in mind will ensure your guests have a fantastic experience, no matter your wedding style!