Once you've set the date and planned your wedding ceremony, you can begin planning the reception. The ceremony is a serious exchange of vows, but the reception is the opportunity for the couple to celebrate their marriage with family and friends. It seems every time you see a wedding in a movie or on the television, it is over-the-top and brimming with small details. It's possible to plan a simple wedding reception that is fun for you and your guests without spending a fortune.
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Set a budget for your wedding reception. It's important to know how much you are able and willing to spend before you begin planning. Then decide how many people you want to have at your reception. Your budget and the number of people will help determine where your reception will be held.
Look for a place to hold your reception. Some ceremony sites can double as reception sites, so you may want to look into that option first. If not, research reception halls,
restaurants
and other venues--many have their own websites. Get a price quote online or over the phone and ask how many guests they can accommodate. Once you've narrowed your options, visit the places you're interested in to see which one you like best and fit within your budget.
Decide on a catering option--this will vary, depending on whether you're having a morning, afternoon or evening wedding. Some reception sites will let you bring in your own
food and drinks, which cuts down on costs--especially if family and friends help out. Others require you to choose a caterer from their list of vendors; restaurants will almost certainly require you to use their food and beverage service. Talk to a few restaurants and caterers about different options that fit your budget, and go with the one that works best for you.
Decide on entertainment. DJs and live bands are two popular options for weddings. However, you can make playlists ahead of time and hook your own MP3 player up to a sound system to simplify things and save money.
Find a bakery that can make your wedding cake, if the caterer or
restaurant doesn't provide one and you don't have a friend who's capable of doing it. Have pictures of ideas you like for your cake so your baker has a visual of what you want.
Decide what kind of decorations you want at your reception. Some venues will already have tablecloths and candles for your use, but other will not. If you want floral centerpieces at each table, you need to talk with a florist about the cost. You can save money by making centerpieces on your own ahead of time and having someone set them up on the big day.
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