Even though weddings are celebrations of something truly wonderful, they can be a complete hassle to plan. The stress of organising so many elements usually falls to the couple themselves, who often get so bogged down with the details they forget to be excited and elated until the day itself. This really isn’t a good situation to get into. Your wedding will probably be the most important, memorable day of your life, and you should enjoy planning it as much as you will enjoy the actual day.
The reception is the main part of the organisation process, and the whole day hinges on this being a success. So whether you met on dating websites or through friends, here are five steps towards a flawless wedding reception. As long as you’ve got all of these elements in place, there’s no need to stress over preparations!
Artistic aesthetics
Make sure the venue looks great. This is a lot simpler than it sounds – just find a sheaf of wedding magazines and flick through them for inspiration. Experiment with lighting, colourful flowers and table settings. If you’re not very creative, get insight from some of your friends, or you could even recruit a professional wedding planner to put together some gorgeous designs. Be artistic, bold and daring – don’t necessarily go for traditional wedding décor.
Conscientious catering
Wedding food is all about attention to detail. Recruit a team whose appetisers will match the beauty of your décor with great presentation and great taste. Be conscientious with your planning – not everyone likes the same food, so make sure there are plenty of options for your extensive number of guests. Make certain there are vegetarian and vegan options. You wouldn’t want to offend anyone or leave them hungry.
Sensitive speechmaking
Keep an eye on your speechmakers. Ask them how the writing is going and ask them if they need any help. If you’re really paranoid, insist on a full rehearsal before the big day. You wouldn’t want any embarrassing or inappropriate stories shocking the room and putting everyone off their delicious and intricately decorated cuisine.
Mood music
Go for varied music that fits well with the mood. You’ll need songs that make you dance (I would recommend a heavy dose of Motown here), songs that everyone knows (chuck in all the classics), slow romantic songs, including your first-dance track (but don’t make these too cheesy) and personal songs that you both love (after all, it is your party).
A bounty of booze
A healthy supply of alcohol is a must for a successful wedding reception. It eases the atmosphere and means everyone will take to the dance floor, as opposed to just a scattered few. Make sure someone’s keeping an eye on the people who are likely to take too much advantage of a free bar, though! You wouldn’t want someone’s excessive drinking to ruin the event.
Whether you met at university or in Manchester dating online, there’s no need to stress about your wedding reception. If you have all of these five elements, you’re laughing.
