The wedding reception will probably be the part of your wedding where you and your guests spend most of the time. It is the occasion for you to enjoy your family and friends’ company and, most importantly, to celebrate your marriage with them. The reception also gives the two family parts the opportunity to get to know each other better and merge into one big family as a result of your wedding. In order for you to enjoy a well-organized and relaxed wedding reception, consider the checklist below.

 

Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the ideas pointed out here. Just pick the ones that best suit your dream wedding.

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Set budget

Start 9-12 months in advance

Choose location / venue

Decide if you want to hire a wedding planner

Select MC

Clarify deposit, guarantee, and insurance and cancellation terms

Decide whether: catering by a restaurant, catering service or do it yourself

Organize decoration 

Organize flowers 

Choose personalized wedding favors

Check if you need any extra rentals (tables, chairs, linens…)

Organize wedding cake 

Decide if you want a bar tending service 

Decide if you want a professional photographer / videographer 

Organize entertainment, program and toasts

Organize music (grand entrance, dinner, dance), sound system, DJ

Organize a dancefloor

Decide if you want to provide child care

Organize transportation for you and the guests

Clarify deposit, guarantee, and insurance and cancellation terms

Make a written contract with all agreements

If you neither celebrate in a restaurant nor hire a catering service you should also:

 

Organize dishes and cutlery

Organize food, beverages and snacks

Organize coffee and cake

Ensure people have been selected and agreed to help with the cleanup, so you don’t have to do the pick-up after such an intense day.

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Tip#1: Ensure that someone does a test with the sound system, microphones, etc. that day before the event.

 

Tip #2: Consider the following for the program: welcome speeches, toasts by best man / maid of honor / parents, slide show, cake cutting, long-distance calls, etc.