Wedding receptions mean big money for businesses, across the globe. In fact many hotels and resorts exist solely to provide wedding parties with a range of luxury reception ideas and venues. Choosing a wedding reception venue can be a daunting procedure, as popular venues tend to get booked up quickly. In fact, it is not uncommon to find that a couple feel pressured into selecting any available time slot and not really getting the wedding reception that they first envisaged.

Types of Wedding Receptions

Timing plays an influential role in your choice of wedding reception. Not many people will want copious amounts of liquor and a disco at 9am in the morning! It is also important to consider the numbers and types of people that you are inviting as guests. If your party includes several small children, your choice of wedding reception is likely to be slightly different from an older generation wedding.

Wedding receptions do not need to take place in the evening; in fact, an early morning wedding is a cost effective and fun way of allowing you to have a gathering and still be able to enjoy the rest of the day, quietly. Similarly a lunchtime wedding reception may be a good choice if you have young children attending your day.

Wedding Reception Venues

Your choice of wedding reception venue largely depends on your budget and personal tastes. If you are having a smaller wedding, then why not have your reception at home? There are many companies that now offer catering and drinks facilities in your own home, at a fraction of hotel prices. So this can be a hassle-free and affordable way of having the wedding reception that you want in the comfort of your own home.

Before you approach any external venues, it is well worth consulting friends and family for personal recommendations. When you meet with the wedding reception staff be sure to have a clear idea of numbers, budget and services that you require. By asking all venues the same questions it will be easier to make a like for like comparison.

Food and Drink for the Wedding Reception

The key to success with selecting food and drink for a wedding reception is to keep it simple. Tastes vary dramatically and it will be very difficult to wow everyone, so just aim to please the majority of the guests! Of course, if you are having a small, intimate gathering, it may be possible to use a restaurant where everyone can make their own choices.

For a larger wedding reception, it is well worth asking, as part of your invitation, if anyone has any food allergies, this way you can make sure that there are no nasty surprises on the day!

Organising a wedding reception is not for the faint hearted, but it's your day, so do it your way!