Your wedding day is the day where everything has to be perfect, right?!
Naaaah, it doesn’t. We gotta go with the flow and have a good time even if shit hits the fan.
BUT, if you are a couple in love ready to get married, I am pretty sure you have planned everything, every step, every event for the day down to the last second just because you want everything to go as you imagined on a special day.
One of those important events is the wedding reception. My wedding photography experience has allowed me to get into the secret circles of wedding planning, so I want to share with you these five secret tips for an EPIC wedding reception!
Too Much of a Good Thing
If you dream of a low key night, try not to plan too many events if you want your reception to go smoothly.
Trying to squeeze too many things only leads to worrying about timelines and takes away from enjoying your night.
Formalities like parent dances, first dance, introductions, cake cutting, toasts, etc., can take a big chunk of time. I love when there is less pressure and time-sensitive events. So scheduling events that are most relevant, most fun, and will make up to be the most memorable highlights of the day is beset.
So what am I saying here? Ditch the dance or speech if you hate being the centre of attention. Heck, ditch that cake cut too if it’s awkies!! Remember this is all about what YOU want!
Lighting Changes the Moods
Even though there’s some focus on appropriate lighting, it is still not given the attention it deserves.
Lighting is one of the easiest and pocket-friendly ways you can use to give your reception venue a unique feel. The right kind of lighting creates perfect ambience and adds warmth people can’t help but feel inside. This puts everyone in a good mood, and it can save you even if a few things don’t go as planned.
Spoiler alert: Fairy lights look cute in person, but they are a nightmare to photograph. They actually flicker, so when photographed, some will and some won’t be lit. They also let off barely any light… it’s awkies. I am a sucker for LOTS of candles or warm festoon lights! They always show up in photos and are great mood boosters!
Plan Well
A wedding timeline is your friend if you want to have an epic wedding reception.
It keeps you on track and helps you stay organised so that you stay calm and relaxed on the day. Ideally, the more detailed your wedding timeline is, the better.
Keep a buffer time of at least 15 minutes for travelling sections to account for traffic jams or any unforeseen events on the road.
What matters most is that you and your vendors stick to the timeline because doing so will leave little to no room for last-minute change-ups.
Recheck The Plan
Make sure you go through the final plan one last time at least 1-2 weeks before your big day.
You can touch base with your venue, vendors, and wedding party to confirm the final details of the wedding and that you are all on the same page. You don’t want your make-up artist to have an old schedule and arrive two hours late! Or me… LOL
Go through everything such as table placements, logistics, guest counts, final payments, and everything else on your timeline to ensure it is all in place.
Show Them How It’s Done
The couple’s mood directly affects the mood of the guests and the vibe of the whole evening!
If you are stressed or anxious, they will see it too, which in turn will make them anxious to know what’s up. You can imagine how it will affect the reception.
So smile, eat, and dance your heart away to fill the place with happy vibes so that everyone else does the same, and you have an amazing reception you’d love to reminisce on!
