While the only two requirements for a wedding reception are cake and champagne,
menus for marriage run the full gamut, from a light breakfast to an elaborate
dinner. It is considered courteous to serve guests a meal appropriate to the
time that the wedding reception is being held. However, if reception plans and
budget do not include a full dinner, the invitation should suggest this
intention. Indicating the menu plan on the invitations, will eliminate guests'
preconceived expectations for a meal. Alternatives to full menus could be Cake
and Champagne
or Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktails.
The reception is going to take the largest portion of your wedding budget. You want to make sure it goes off without a single hitch. Check out these quick tips to help keep your reception planning going smoothly.
get
the total number of guests (approximately) you plan on inviting before settling
on a venue to ensure there is ample space for everyone. Remember to take
waiters, tables, chairs, the band/DJ and the dance floor into account
if
your wedding date is on the same day as a conference or other local event, that
can really affect hotels and traffic. Check it out!
try
to request an extra hour from your vendors for a cocktail hour. Most vendors
want to secure you and your reservation and are more willing to deal at the
beginning of negotiations versus later on when you've already signed a contract
last
minute planning can sometimes work in your favour. Since most people book their
wedding sites a minimum of six months in advance, calling for any open dates
two months can save you up to 25% on your reception site. And remember, any day
other than Saturday can cost up to 30% less
once
you've picked your date, start looking for hotels with a variety of prices.
Most hotels allow you to book a block of rooms with a reduced rate. You can
then release rooms you aren't going to need about a month prior to your
wedding, saving more money!
make
sure there is lots of time for set-up. Find out what time people can come into
the venue, especially if you are bringing in decorators from outside. If
possible, get in the day before, or at least get the entire wedding day.
While the only two requirements for a wedding reception are cake and champagne,
menus for marriage run the full gamut, from a light breakfast to an elaborate
dinner. It is considered courteous to serve guests a meal appropriate to the
time that the wedding reception is being held. However, if reception plans and
budget do not include a full dinner, the invitation should suggest this
intention. Indicating the menu plan on the invitations, will eliminate guests'
preconceived expectations for a meal. Alternatives to full menus could be Cake
and Champagne
or Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktails.
