Ah, the wedding reception. What better way to celebrate your big day than to throw a huge party with your friends and family? You want it to be memorable, happy, and most importantly fun. To make sure it’s all that, you need a plan.
Riverview Recreation Park is here to help. We’ve put together some great ideas to help make your wedding reception special. These great ideas can be applied any budget level and to any theme, and we promise they’ll make your wedding reception an absolute blast.
Choose A Venue That Has It All
For your wedding reception to be amazing, you have to start with a great venue. After all, your venue is going to set the overall mood for your wedding reception, especially for your guests. Make sure you choose one that’s going to give you space and flexibility to make your reception amazing.
There are some important things you need to consider that will change your guests’ comfort level. Make sure your wedding reception venue is easy to get to, has enough parking, and has enough room for all your guests. If you’re looking for an outdoor wedding venue, find one that can easily adapt to unexpected weather.
Make Sure The Wedding Reception Venue Has All The Décor
If your wedding reception is going to be awesome, it has to be inviting. Aside from all of the obvious things – like tables, chairs, and eating utensils – you’ve got to consider the decorations you need to create the right ambiance. The reception space alone is almost guaranteed to not be enough.
You need the right décor. That might mean hiring a florist or lighting professionals to make sure the venue feels right. It also might mean additional décor, like drapery, accent art, centerpieces, and all the other little things that are easy to overlook. Check with your venue to see what they can help with, too. They may have ideas that work well in their space, as well as additional options if your wedding and reception are themed.
Include Wedding Games At The Reception
Your wedding reception guests are there for the party. Like most party goers, they want to be entertained. What better way than to include some wedding themed games?
Including a few great games throughout your reception is an awesome way to keep the party alive. They can be simple party games, like giant Jenga or table activities. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a little bigger, consider renting a bounce house or Ferris wheel. Check out this great list of wedding reception games from the Martha Stewart Weddings Blog for more ideas.
Make Every Wedding Reception Guest Feel Welcome
One of the most important things you can do at your wedding reception is to make your guests feel welcome. After all, it’s hard to have fun when you’re not comfortable in a situation. As the bride and groom, it’s your job to make sure your guests know you’re glad they’re there.
There are a couple of ways to make your guests feel like comfortable at your wedding reception. The first, and most obvious, is to greet everyone. That may mean spending some time over a cocktail, talking for a bit at their table, or cutting loose on the dance floor. Other ideas include adding a phone charging station (which encourages people to stay longer), splurging for the open bar, or giving out wedding favors. Choose to do the things that make the most sense for your wedding and your budget.
Serve Up Some Late Night Wedding Reception Snacks
At most wedding receptions, the party continues hours later than the meal is served. That means, after some time, people start to get hungry again. Unless they saved some dinner for later, you’re going to want to do something about that.
A serving of late-reception snacks is a great way to go. You can do anything from holding on to the dessert course for a few hours to offering a “treat bar”. Even consider an extra service of h’orderves or treats delivered by the catering staff. That way you’ll take care of your guests’ and give them a reason to party longer.
Remember That The Best Wedding Reception Needs To Be Fun
No matter what you decide to do, make sure that fun is your focus. Your wedding reception is all about sharing the joy of your big day, so make sure you have a great wedding venue and all the extras that will make that happen.