WEDDING RECEPTION IDEAS

HOW TO ORGANISE A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING

1. DON’T HOLD THE WEDDING CEREMONY TOO EARLY
   On your wedding day don’t hold the wedding ceremony too early. You will end up having to provide for everyone twice if you do. Guests won’t have had time for a proper meal at lunchtime and arrive at the ceremony or wedding reception very hungry and this will probably mean starting the wedding breakfast around 4.30 when most people are not used to eating and then you will have to provide another meal in the evening. It also means that you have to provide alcohol; or guests will be drinking alcohol for a much longer time. This can lead to extra expense and other unwanted alcohol related problems! We usually suggest between 3 & 4 as the best time for the ceremony.

2. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MORE THAN 100 GUESTS.
   If you want a good party in the evening with music and dancing it’s a good idea to have more than 100 guests. If you have numbers less than this - once you have taken away the ones that have to leave early, the older ones that don’t want to or can’t join in and others that would rather just sit and chat - it can leave the atmosphere on the dance floor a little lacking. 

3. CHOOSE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT CAREFULLY
   Ceilidth bands are fun for a short while but people soon get tired of having to follow instructions for any length of time. At the end of what can be a long day guests often just want to relax, chat and get up to dance when they feel like it. We have found discos or other types of good band are invariably more popular with most people.

4. IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP THE MENU SIMPLE.
   When planning your menu keep things simple. A simple menu made from quality ingredients served nicely is generally much better than a poorly executed sophisticated menu.

5. DECIDE ON WHO PAYS.
   Decide from the outset who is going to pay for what. Make a list of everything you’ll need to buy or hire and check off which things you’re paying for, what your parents are paying for, what the groom’s family is buying. There will also be things that pop up unexpectedly. Ask yourself who is going to pay for any extras. It may seem hard but it’s well worth sorting all these issues out in advance to save any problems and misunderstandings later on.

6. IT’S A BAD IDEA TO HAVE YOUR WEDDING ON A SATURDAY IF YOU NEED TO KEEP DOWN COSTS.
   If you’re trying to keep costs down, plan to have your wedding on any other day than Saturday. Venues and other service providers are at a premium on Saturdays, but often offer discounts on other days. The same goes for the time of year. It is far easier to get a bargain in the off season/winter and you will have the pick of the suppliers. Most won’t be so heavily booked

7. PLAN YOUR BUDGET.
   Before you start any planning whatsoever, make sure you know your exact budget. It’s not fun to make big plans and then have to cancel them because you can’t afford them. Starting your planning with a budget can save you a lot of heartache later.

8. PLAN CAREFULLY.
   There is no specific price range that ensures success. You can spend tens of thousands and still have a disaster if you haven’t planned carefully. 

9. DON’T ALLOW OTHERS TO DICTATE PRIORITIES.
   Remember, it is YOUR wedding. There may be others who want to plan your day for you and think they know what is best. But also try  to remember that there will be compromises to be made. So give a little but at the same time if you have you heart set on something remember it is your day! 
10. DON’T GO ON YOUR HONEYMOON IMMEDIATELY.
    It’s not a great idea to go on honeymoon straight away. You may both be stressed and tired from a long run up to the big day. A long journey or flight is not a good idea when you are already exhausted. Take a couple of days off at home to chill out, take stock and get yourselves ready for a honeymoon on which you can really relax and enjoy yourself.
11. PLAN WELL AHEAD.
    It is true that nothing guarantees success, but a lack of planning can lead to great disappointment and upsets. The further ahead you plan the more options you will have. Write it all down and keep a clear check list of what you need to do. Make sure you have contingency plans and be ready for possible hitches. Try to plan how you will deal with and overcome any surprises should they happen.
12. BOOK ACCOMMODATION EARLY.
    If a number of relatives and friends have to travel from far away, book some local hotels and B&B’s in the area before they all get booked up.
13. MAKE A CONTRACT IN WRITING WITH SUPPLIERS.
    Arrange proper contracts with your suppliers - bands, DJ, florists, wedding caterers etc. Make sure you have everything in writing from your suppliers and give them in return written confirmation. Make yourself aware of any additional costs that could be charged for such things as accommodation, travelling and meals; and ensure the details are in the contract. 
14. CHECK ON POTENTIAL TRAFFIC JAMS.
    Check locally to see if any sporting or other major event in your area may cause traffic problems near your wedding reception or whether a holiday period may make air travel or transportation difficult for people getting to locations on time.

15. ARRANGE FOR A VERY TIGHT AND EFFICIENT SCHEDULE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
    When negotiating for wedding photography, tell your photographer that you want a very tight and efficient schedule for picture taking. Concentrate on photos. Put into the printed schedule when and where the photo sessions are to take place before and after the ceremony. Appeal firmly to the wedding party and relatives you want in the photos to go immediately to these locations so that you don't waste precious time trying to round up everybody scattered all over the property. Your other guests will be waiting patiently for the photography to be finished. Also, remember that your caterer is depending on you keeping to schedule so the meal will not be spoilt.

16. THE VERY BEST OF WEDDING RECEPTION IDEAS: INVOLVE THE GROOM!
    Involve the Groom in at least some of the planning!