What will guests most remember about your wedding? While great food is always important, it’s so much more than that. Your reception is the biggest party that you will ever plan, and while it marks the importance of the fact that you just married the love of your life, your guests will look to you to be entertained. They will remember a FUN experience. Making your party personal and unique will keep them talking about the great night they had for a long time.
First there are some basic reception concepts to follow, like creating good seating arrangements. A good seating arrangement creates good conversations among friends and people that have common interests. Put college buddies together and teenagers together, etc. and don’t try to force strangers to struggle to make connections.
And, of course, food should be a big part of being a guest. I love the new food options that can be introduced – like pasta stations, potato bars, and such. If you choose to do several courses, you might arrange for some short entertainment between courses. This is a good time for a quick toast from a favorite lifelong friend or a salute to your parents. Do you know someone who sings or plays a musical instrument – now is a great time for a quick song. And keep good food coming all night long! Have a slider bar or serve toasted ravioli toward the mid part of the night to kept their energy up. You might even consider hiring a food truck for late at night.
After the food, comes great music and dancing! Great music keeps the dance floor full, so be sure to arrange with your band or DJ music that everyone will like. Play some of your favorites, but be sure to include some older tunes that everyone will enjoy. This is the time that you and your wedding party should play an active part in getting everyone up to dance.
And for your unique sparkle, here are some additional ideas for your reception that could add a special twist:
Stage a Whiskey Tasting Bar or create an area to make your own special margaritas!
S’mores Stations, Chocolate Fountains with Fruit, Popcorn Bars, etc are yummy.
Specialty Coffee Bars with flavored syrups and toppings are popular.
Outdoor weddings might include country games like horseshoes, ring toss or croquet, or even a petting zoo. You might also arrange a late night hay ride or, for a winter wedding, a sleigh ride.
Laser Light Shows or perhaps fireworks or a sparkler send off can be fun. (Be sure to get the long 36 inch sparklers.)
Provide party gear like glow sticks, sunglasses, beads and fun trinkets.
Create a Stunning Unexpected First Dance or have a MOB performance.
Rent a Dry Ice Machine and dance in the fog!
Balloon drops on the dance floor can really get the party hopping as well.
Have Unique Entertainers – live art painting, belly dancers, caricature artists, or professional ballroom dancers.
For a different twist hire singing groups like an acapella group, country banjo players, etc.
Bring in Specialty Artisans – For example, hire someone to demonstrate how to make hand rolled cigars, or bring in a barista for special lattes.
Having kids? Create a special kid’s area with entertainment just for them.
Bring in the new photobooths – fish eye, slow motion, video, and many more options are available today.
The possibilities are endless. Keeping your guests surprised and entertained all night long will make for a reception that will be the talk of your friends and family.