Planning your wedding reception can often feel very complicated. While it is true that you need to start early and dedicate a good chunk of your time to putting together such a large event, most of what you need to know is quite simple and straightforward. A reception doesn’t need to have a lot of bells and whistles for guests to remember it for years to come. In fact, all you really need to do is consider a few general points to ensure your reception is as enjoyable as it is efficient.
The Seating Situation During The Reception
Perhaps the biggest headache couples deal with when planning a reception is the seating chart. Try as you might to put together a perfect arrangement, there are lots of little details you need to keep in mind. Keeping couples at the same table is a given, but you also want to avoid seating people together who don’t particularly get along. According to wedding experts, putting a lot of thought behind your seating arrangement is actually key to keeping the event light and fun for all.
Weddings can be tiring. If guests don’t have a clear idea of where they are supposed to sit from the moment they enter the venue, it can lead to some immediate frustration. Prominently displaying the seating information is one step. Having a lounge area for guests to relax in can also be key. In fact, the more options guests have for sitting and having a moment to catch their breath, the more likely it is your night will maintain a consistent and enjoyable flow.
The Entertainment
Setting the mood is important for any event. A reception is all about music. Whether you opt for a DJ or a live band, you need to make sure the entertainment is always on top of the mood in the room. Since you’ll be busy enjoying your big day, you want to trust in your entertainers to read the guests and see what tunes need to be played to lighten or calm the mood. This goes beyond getting people up to dance. From dinner being served to speeches being delivered, the music sets the tone.
Music is not the only way to entertain guests, of course. In some cases, there is a big enough gap between the wedding ceremony and reception that guests need to entertain themselves for a bit. If this is the case for your event, you should plan ahead in terms of entertainment. For outdoor weddings, this can mean bringing along group games that guests can engage with. For indoor events, think about how hiring an illusionist or artist can captivate the crowd while they wait.
The Refreshments
Finally, refreshments play a critical part in how guests perceive the reception. While you definitely have put time and effort into selecting the right caterer for your wedding, you also need to think about the pacing of the night. Guests are going to be hungry from the moment they leave the ceremony, so this means that appetizers and smaller plates should be provided as soon as people start arriving at the reception. The longer it takes for food and drink to become available, the more likely it is that you’ll be dealing with a tense group of people.
Though most of the planning process surrounding a wedding has to do with the reception itself, most couples forget that the basics are what truly make for a memorable experience. No matter what decorations or color theme you select to impress people on a visual level, you cannot overlook the importance of having an organized environment where entertainment and refreshments are available from the very start.
The music that plays during a wedding is incredibly important to the overall success of the event. Like the food being served, the tunes that fill the air will be what guests remember most. If your DJ doesn’t know how to keep the crowd engaged, for example, you could be looking at a ceremony that falls flat. While the entertainers are responsible for most of the musical selections, there are some choices that fall directly on your shoulders. Specifically, you need to decide what song you’ll use for your first dance as a married couple.
Though it is an easy decision for some, there are countless couples who struggle with this choice. Make the process slightly less demanding by using these tips to narrow your search.
The Obvious Choices
There are a few easy places to look first when starting this musical journey. For one, songs tend to play a big part in many romances. From the tunes that played on the day you first met to the lyrics that you sang along to in the car together, there’s likely a long list of songs that you can draw from. While you may not find the right fit this way, you’ll at least be able to give the rest of your search better parameters by looking over the music of your love story.
The Common Ground
It isn’t uncommon for couples to have very different tastes in music. If you and your partner keep your Spotify accounts separate for a reason, then you may feel nervous about finding a good song to dance to together. Thankfully, even those with the most disparate of preferences have some common ground. It might require some hard work and effort, but digging into each other’s libraries is sure to unearth a bunch of songs you both love and wouldn’t mind using to underscore a big moment of the night.
The Lyrical Relevance
If you’re unable to find a good fit in the collection of music you already know, it might be a good idea to take a peek at some tunes that are new. Instead of just seeking out “new music” and sorting through the onslaught of choices presented to you, try to narrow the results by lyrical relevance. There are countless fitting love songs, both recent gems and old standards, that you may not be familiar with. Reading over some lyrics and listening to the tracks on YouTube can introduce you to a wealth of interesting possibilities.
The Reservations
One issue that you’re likely to encounter when picking songs with your partner is feeling like you may alienate the crowd. If you have unique or unusual musical tastes, you may be concerned selecting something unconventional will be embarrassing in some capacity. This is your moment, however, and you should never opt for music that isn’t to your liking. You can go with “At Last” by Etta James and use a song that has been played for endless first dances at weddings, or you can select a track that accurately captures the relationship you’ve built together.
The Last Thoughts
Choosing music for your wedding should be a fun experience. If you’re getting stressed about your first dance, then step away from the task and give yourself a chance to breathe. With so many other responsibilities to worry about during the planning process, allowing a single duty to dominate your mind and available time can be incredibly counterproductive.
Picking the right tunes for your big day involves more than a passing thought. Whether you have different tastes or you just don’t know where to begin, you will find sorting through a plethora of options with your partner will help you create the perfect soundtrack you can use for your first dance as a married couple.
Many couples opt for an after-party to keep the party going after the reception, and give themselves more time to celebrate in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Though there are many facets to a wedding, most people will agree that it is pretty much one big party. Still, when it is your own wedding, you may feel like you don’t have enough time to really get down and enjoy yourself in the way you’d like. Brides and grooms often get caught up in the flow of the night, rushing around to various guests to say hello and take care of activities like cutting the cake, tossing the bouquet, and listening to speeches. To really enjoy your own wedding, you may want to consider an after-party.
The idea of the after-party is nothing new. The purpose of this type of event is to keep the energy and revelry of the wedding going after guests need to leave the venue. Follow these suggestions and see how you can put together an after-party you will truly love.
Pick the Space
The first and most important decision you’re going to have to make for an after-party is choosing the location. You are going to be somewhat limited in where you can go, but you can use this to your advantage. Guests will most likely have spent the night drinking and dancing, meaning you do not want to select a location that is far away from the reception venue. Instead, try and search for local bars or clubs that might be able to accommodate your group when everyone is ready to shift to the next part of the night.
In many cases, you might be able to work with the hotel where you and your guests will be staying the night of the wedding. Hotel bars can be a wonderful place to throw your after-party because most of the guests will already be planning on heading to the hotel at the end of the night. Throwing your after-event here allows everyone the opportunity to run to their rooms, change into more comfortable clothes, and get back down to the lobby for a bit more carousing before bed.
Create the Scene
Another important aspect of throwing the after-party is making sure that it still feels like a celebration, rather than a bunch of people grabbing drinks at a bar. To achieve this, try and plan ahead with some ideas for décor. Sprucing up the place where you throw your after-party and giving it a bit of pizazz can help to invigorate the space and remind your guests that they are still in “wedding celebration mode.” Of course, you’ll want to keep the décor as simple as possible because you won’t have a lot of time for setting things up.
One surefire solution for décor is to use what you already have purchased for your wedding reception. The centerpieces and decorations lining your venue can come in handy when the time for the after-party arrives. Simply assign a few members of your wedding party the task of gathering certain key pieces of décor from the venue before the night ends. Have these individuals head to the after-party location a little earlier than the other guests to set things up. This can make a big difference when it comes to keeping the excitement going.
Don’t Forget Munchies
Finally, your friends and relatives are probably going to be hungry after a night of revelry. The easiest way to make sure everyone has a snack is by ordering some pizzas and having them arrive at the after-party at the same time as your guests. You can also consider more advanced ideas like hiring a food truck to come to the venue parking lot. As long as guests have something to eat, you can be as simple or creative as you’d like.
Your wedding might speed by you so fast that you don’t have a chance to enjoy yourself. Remedy this by planning an after-party where you can have a great time and keep the party going for your guests all night.
There are all kinds of traditions that continue through the world. Many have similarities while others can be vastly different.
If you’re trying to plan a unique ceremony for your special day, check out some of these special wedding traditions from around the world.
Wedding Traditions from other Cultures
Congo – Brides and grooms aren’t allowed to smile on their wedding day. When they do, it shows that they aren’t serious about the marriage.
China – The bride travels to the groom’s home in a decorated sedan chair. Attendants take care of the bride on the journey by holding parasols to shield her from the elements. They throw rice at the chair as a sign of prosperity and health. Female bridesmaids put the groom through a series of tests for him to prove his worthiness of the bride. He must give them envelopes of money before they’ll allow him to have their friend.
Fiji – The potential bridegroom must present his father with a whale’s tooth when he asks for her hand in marriage.
Jamaica – The bride is paraded through the streets. If the villagers go home, it means she didn’t look her best. She must go home and spruce herself up for another go.
Some Other Cultures Practices
Guatemala – The groom’s parents host the reception party. The groom’s mother breaks a ceramic bell filled with grains to give the couple prosperity.
Germany – The guests break porcelain dishes in front of the new home. The bride and groom are to clean these dishes up together as a demonstration of working together to overcome anything.
Scotland – Gretna Green is the place to elope. In medieval times, Gretna Green would marry young couples who did not always have parental permission.
Kenya – The bride’s father spits on her as she leaves the reception. It’s thought to preempt fate by not seeming too supportive of the couple.
Greece – The best man (or groom’s best friend) shaves the groom before the wedding. The new mother-in-law feeds him honey and almonds.
Japan – A Shinto bride wears white from head to toe. The head covering is thought to hide the horns of jealousy toward her new mother-in-law. The white symbolizes her maidenhood.
Norway – The traditional cake is called kransekake. It’s a tower of almond cake rings stacked on top of each other. The center is often filled with a wine bottle. The bride may wear a gold and silver crown with small trinkets as part of her wedding finery. As she moves, the trinkets jingle, which scares off the evil spirits.
Russia – Couples partake of a sweetbread called karavaya which is decorated with grains of wheat for fertility. Whoever takes the largest bite without using their hands is thought to be the head of the family.
As you go through this list, you might notice that many of the wedding traditions are similar to customs we have here. It just shows that we’re more alike than we think.
Planning your wedding reception can often feel very complicated. While it is true that you need to start early and dedicate a good chunk of your time to putting together such a large event, most of what you need to know is quite simple and straightforward. A reception doesn’t need to have a lot of bells and whistles for guests to remember it for years to come. In fact, all you really need to do is consider a few general points to ensure your reception is as enjoyable as it is efficient.
The Seating Situation During The Reception
Perhaps the biggest headache couples deal with when planning a reception is the seating chart. Try as you might to put together a perfect arrangement, there are lots of little details you need to keep in mind. Keeping couples at the same table is a given, but you also want to avoid seating people together who don’t particularly get along. According to wedding experts, putting a lot of thought behind your seating arrangement is actually key to keeping the event light and fun for all.
Weddings can be tiring. If guests don’t have a clear idea of where they are supposed to sit from the moment they enter the venue, it can lead to some immediate frustration. Prominently displaying the seating information is one step. Having a lounge area for guests to relax in can also be key. In fact, the more options guests have for sitting and having a moment to catch their breath, the more likely it is your night will maintain a consistent and enjoyable flow.
The Entertainment
Setting the mood is important for any event. A reception is all about music. Whether you opt for a DJ or a live band, you need to make sure the entertainment is always on top of the mood in the room. Since you’ll be busy enjoying your big day, you want to trust in your entertainers to read the guests and see what tunes need to be played to lighten or calm the mood. This goes beyond getting people up to dance. From dinner being served to speeches being delivered, the music sets the tone.
Music is not the only way to entertain guests, of course. In some cases, there is a big enough gap between the wedding ceremony and reception that guests need to entertain themselves for a bit. If this is the case for your event, you should plan ahead in terms of entertainment. For outdoor weddings, this can mean bringing along group games that guests can engage with. For indoor events, think about how hiring an illusionist or artist can captivate the crowd while they wait.
The Refreshments
Finally, refreshments play a critical part in how guests perceive the reception. While you definitely have put time and effort into selecting the right caterer for your wedding, you also need to think about the pacing of the night. Guests are going to be hungry from the moment they leave the ceremony, so this means that appetizers and smaller plates should be provided as soon as people start arriving at the reception. The longer it takes for food and drink to become available, the more likely it is that you’ll be dealing with a tense group of people.
Though most of the planning process surrounding a wedding has to do with the reception itself, most couples forget that the basics are what truly make for a memorable experience. No matter what decorations or color theme you select to impress people on a visual level, you cannot overlook the importance of having an organized environment where entertainment and refreshments are available from the very start.
The music that plays during a wedding is incredibly important to the overall success of the event. Like the food being served, the tunes that fill the air will be what guests remember most. If your DJ doesn’t know how to keep the crowd engaged, for example, you could be looking at a ceremony that falls flat. While the entertainers are responsible for most of the musical selections, there are some choices that fall directly on your shoulders. Specifically, you need to decide what song you’ll use for your first dance as a married couple.
Though it is an easy decision for some, there are countless couples who struggle with this choice. Make the process slightly less demanding by using these tips to narrow your search.
The Obvious Choices
There are a few easy places to look first when starting this musical journey. For one, songs tend to play a big part in many romances. From the tunes that played on the day you first met to the lyrics that you sang along to in the car together, there’s likely a long list of songs that you can draw from. While you may not find the right fit this way, you’ll at least be able to give the rest of your search better parameters by looking over the music of your love story.
The Common Ground
It isn’t uncommon for couples to have very different tastes in music. If you and your partner keep your Spotify accounts separate for a reason, then you may feel nervous about finding a good song to dance to together. Thankfully, even those with the most disparate of preferences have some common ground. It might require some hard work and effort, but digging into each other’s libraries is sure to unearth a bunch of songs you both love and wouldn’t mind using to underscore a big moment of the night.
The Lyrical Relevance
If you’re unable to find a good fit in the collection of music you already know, it might be a good idea to take a peek at some tunes that are new. Instead of just seeking out “new music” and sorting through the onslaught of choices presented to you, try to narrow the results by lyrical relevance. There are countless fitting love songs, both recent gems and old standards, that you may not be familiar with. Reading over some lyrics and listening to the tracks on YouTube can introduce you to a wealth of interesting possibilities.
The Reservations
One issue that you’re likely to encounter when picking songs with your partner is feeling like you may alienate the crowd. If you have unique or unusual musical tastes, you may be concerned selecting something unconventional will be embarrassing in some capacity. This is your moment, however, and you should never opt for music that isn’t to your liking. You can go with “At Last” by Etta James and use a song that has been played for endless first dances at weddings, or you can select a track that accurately captures the relationship you’ve built together.
The Last Thoughts
Choosing music for your wedding should be a fun experience. If you’re getting stressed about your first dance, then step away from the task and give yourself a chance to breathe. With so many other responsibilities to worry about during the planning process, allowing a single duty to dominate your mind and available time can be incredibly counterproductive.
Picking the right tunes for your big day involves more than a passing thought. Whether you have different tastes or you just don’t know where to begin, you will find sorting through a plethora of options with your partner will help you create the perfect soundtrack you can use for your first dance as a married couple.
Many couples opt for an after-party to keep the party going after the reception, and give themselves more time to celebrate in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Though there are many facets to a wedding, most people will agree that it is pretty much one big party. Still, when it is your own wedding, you may feel like you don’t have enough time to really get down and enjoy yourself in the way you’d like. Brides and grooms often get caught up in the flow of the night, rushing around to various guests to say hello and take care of activities like cutting the cake, tossing the bouquet, and listening to speeches. To really enjoy your own wedding, you may want to consider an after-party.
The idea of the after-party is nothing new. The purpose of this type of event is to keep the energy and revelry of the wedding going after guests need to leave the venue. Follow these suggestions and see how you can put together an after-party you will truly love.
Pick the Space
The first and most important decision you’re going to have to make for an after-party is choosing the location. You are going to be somewhat limited in where you can go, but you can use this to your advantage. Guests will most likely have spent the night drinking and dancing, meaning you do not want to select a location that is far away from the reception venue. Instead, try and search for local bars or clubs that might be able to accommodate your group when everyone is ready to shift to the next part of the night.
In many cases, you might be able to work with the hotel where you and your guests will be staying the night of the wedding. Hotel bars can be a wonderful place to throw your after-party because most of the guests will already be planning on heading to the hotel at the end of the night. Throwing your after-event here allows everyone the opportunity to run to their rooms, change into more comfortable clothes, and get back down to the lobby for a bit more carousing before bed.
Create the Scene
Another important aspect of throwing the after-party is making sure that it still feels like a celebration, rather than a bunch of people grabbing drinks at a bar. To achieve this, try and plan ahead with some ideas for décor. Sprucing up the place where you throw your after-party and giving it a bit of pizazz can help to invigorate the space and remind your guests that they are still in “wedding celebration mode.” Of course, you’ll want to keep the décor as simple as possible because you won’t have a lot of time for setting things up.
One surefire solution for décor is to use what you already have purchased for your wedding reception. The centerpieces and decorations lining your venue can come in handy when the time for the after-party arrives. Simply assign a few members of your wedding party the task of gathering certain key pieces of décor from the venue before the night ends. Have these individuals head to the after-party location a little earlier than the other guests to set things up. This can make a big difference when it comes to keeping the excitement going.
Don’t Forget Munchies
Finally, your friends and relatives are probably going to be hungry after a night of revelry. The easiest way to make sure everyone has a snack is by ordering some pizzas and having them arrive at the after-party at the same time as your guests. You can also consider more advanced ideas like hiring a food truck to come to the venue parking lot. As long as guests have something to eat, you can be as simple or creative as you’d like.
Your wedding might speed by you so fast that you don’t have a chance to enjoy yourself. Remedy this by planning an after-party where you can have a great time and keep the party going for your guests all night.
There are all kinds of traditions that continue through the world. Many have similarities while others can be vastly different.
If you’re trying to plan a unique ceremony for your special day, check out some of these special wedding traditions from around the world.
Wedding Traditions from other Cultures
Congo – Brides and grooms aren’t allowed to smile on their wedding day. When they do, it shows that they aren’t serious about the marriage.
China – The bride travels to the groom’s home in a decorated sedan chair. Attendants take care of the bride on the journey by holding parasols to shield her from the elements. They throw rice at the chair as a sign of prosperity and health. Female bridesmaids put the groom through a series of tests for him to prove his worthiness of the bride. He must give them envelopes of money before they’ll allow him to have their friend.
Fiji – The potential bridegroom must present his father with a whale’s tooth when he asks for her hand in marriage.
Jamaica – The bride is paraded through the streets. If the villagers go home, it means she didn’t look her best. She must go home and spruce herself up for another go.
Some Other Cultures Practices
Guatemala – The groom’s parents host the reception party. The groom’s mother breaks a ceramic bell filled with grains to give the couple prosperity.
Germany – The guests break porcelain dishes in front of the new home. The bride and groom are to clean these dishes up together as a demonstration of working together to overcome anything.
Scotland – Gretna Green is the place to elope. In medieval times, Gretna Green would marry young couples who did not always have parental permission.
Kenya – The bride’s father spits on her as she leaves the reception. It’s thought to preempt fate by not seeming too supportive of the couple.
Greece – The best man (or groom’s best friend) shaves the groom before the wedding. The new mother-in-law feeds him honey and almonds.
Japan – A Shinto bride wears white from head to toe. The head covering is thought to hide the horns of jealousy toward her new mother-in-law. The white symbolizes her maidenhood.
Norway – The traditional cake is called kransekake. It’s a tower of almond cake rings stacked on top of each other. The center is often filled with a wine bottle. The bride may wear a gold and silver crown with small trinkets as part of her wedding finery. As she moves, the trinkets jingle, which scares off the evil spirits.
Russia – Couples partake of a sweetbread called karavaya which is decorated with grains of wheat for fertility. Whoever takes the largest bite without using their hands is thought to be the head of the family.
As you go through this list, you might notice that many of the wedding traditions are similar to customs we have here. It just shows that we’re more alike than we think.
