reception

TIME TO CELEBRATE!

You’ve said the “I do’s,” kissed the bride, and now it’s time to party!

You want your reception to be unforgettable. The venue itself, the food, the ambiance, and the overall guest experience determines just how your reception will be remembered for years to come. Where to host your reception is a huge, day-defining decision.

There’s so much to consider. Luckily, we’re here to help!

SET THE MOOD. For a sensuous pause before a high-energy party, have a small jazz quartet set the tone with a wine and micro-beer tasting served with cheese selections.

Time To Celebrate

Make sure you’re both on the same page regarding the type of wedding you both envision. The options for ceremony and reception locations have increased dramatically over the past decade. Here are examples.

• RUSTIC STYLE: Barns, farms, country inns, and ranches.

• TRADITIONAL/CLASSIC STYLE: Ballrooms, banquet halls, hotels, country clubs, or community centers. These are often all-inclusive!

• NATURAL/OPEN AIR STYLE: Waterfront, forest, vineyard, city park, or other locations where Mother Nature’s beauty shines. Also consider a Plan B for inclement weather.

• NON-TRADITIONAL STYLE: Museums, zoos, planetariums, and antique stores.

• URBAN/INDUSTRIAL STYLE: Downtown lofts, art galleries, and warehouses.

• INTIMATE STYLE: Unique spaces catered toward small weddings — historic homes, a small party room at your favorite restaurant, or a tent in your parents’ backyard (tented weddings can work for other styles, too).

3 Factors To Consider

Once you’ve settled on your aesthetic and the type of spaces to explore, it’s time to get to work. Here are the first three factors to consider.

GUEST COUNT AND BUDGET. These sound like two separate entities but you can only afford to host the number of people that your budget allows; therefore, your budget will determine your wedding’s headcount. That, or you need to increase your budget to accommodate more guests’. Once you finalize your budget and total number of potential guests, this will quickly eliminate any outlying reception venues: venues that are too expensive or too small.