Alcohol
While it’s true that not everyone drinks and can be seen as a negative in certain religions, alcohol is a must-have for wedding receptions.
Regardless of how small or big, offering something, is better than nothing.
“More people will actually attend and show up if there’s a hosted bar”, suggests Stephanie Alejo, a wedding co-ordinator and planner from Seattle. “Alcohol is almost a requirement at every wedding. I suggest, at the very least, offer beer and wine.”
But beware of the landmine they call “the cash bar”. WeddingChannel.com suggests, “The only bar arrangement that should be discouraged is any kind of cash bar. If you are inviting people to a party, they should not have to pay for their food or drink. Better you limit the variety of beverages you offer than put guests in the position of paying for their drinks.”
Professional Wedding Planner/Coordinator
Let someone else do the worrying for you. A professional wedding planner does all the dirty work that the bride and groom just can’t manage themselves. If you’re looking to cut corners at the reception, kill an appetizer, but don’t skimp on the wedding planner.
“Our wedding planner saved the day,” said Dominque Saunders, a bride from San Antonio, TX. “She made sure all the people we hired delivered on their promises. Our caterer got the number of guests wrong, without her double checking, we would have been short on food. Luckily it was caught in time.”
It’s best to use a referred professional wedding planner as well, rather than a family member or friend. This is no small task. There’s a reason why they charge so much, they’re worth it!
Good Food
The one question everyone has about a wedding is, “How was the food?”
While this can be a very expensive part of the reception, it is essential. Guests will always expect to be fed after dropping 250 bucks on the registry bath towels.
“Every guest remembers the food,” Valejo says. “No one will remember the view or the place, but they will remember the food if it was bad. It’s like the barometer of the wedding.”
Besides your grandmother doing the Macarena, the food will be the single most talked-about subject of a reception.
Good Music
A good DJ/Band will make the difference between people leaving right after the cake, or them staying all night and closing the place down. An experienced DJ/Band will offer something for everyone.
“It’s real important for the DJ/Band to understand the crowd,” explains Alejo.” More importantly, it’s the bride and groom's responsibility to communicate what they want and don’t want to hear. The music lasts longer than anything else at a reception.”
Good MC - Host of the Event
A master of ceremonies working with the DJ keeps the reception moving and warms up the crowd. This person is the voice for the bride and groom and keeps things flowing smoothly.
“My wife’s brother was the MC for our wedding,” explains an unnamed groom from Phoenix, AZ. “The bad thing was he was not a good public speaker, he tried to be funny but wasn’t, plus he mumbled everything. It was noticeably bad; people didn’t pay attention and started to wander. Unfortunately, it’s the first thing I think of when I remember our reception.”
A good MC isn’t only noticed, he or she is part of the reception entertainment. A bad MC can sink your reception like the Titanic.
Cameron Wong - I've spent the last 15 years in television working in various large and small markets. Covering news, sports, lifestyle and entertainment ...
