My Guide To A Beautiful Wedding Reception

When you’re planning your wedding on a budget, you might choose to organise your own reception too. The cheapest and easiest way to do this is to host it at your home. But if you have a lot of guests, it usually doesn’t cost much to hire your local community hall. Of course, it’s a lot of work putting a big event like this together. So I’ve put a few ideas together that would help me create a beautiful day to remember.

Many people marrying in churches or other religious centres need to find a separate venue for the reception. This can effectively double the cost of the wedding. But tackling the event yourself can save thousands. It also means you can have exactly the reception you want without being left in the hands of venue operators.

This photo is courtesy of Flickr.com

There are two main parts of event management to worry about. One is the catering and the other is the decorating. These both take up a lot of your time. If this is your wedding, then you may be a tad busy doing other things on your wedding day! Always seek help from friends and family so that the day can run smoothly.

Decorations can be made on a shoestring budget it you’re quite crafty. Balloons, garlands, and artificial flowers can be bought very cheaply from art stores. Alternatively, enlist a good florist who can supply everything to the venue. If they’re happy to display as well, then you have saved yourself a huge job.

Catering requires food safety certificates in most places. If

you don’t have one yourself, then you can get one quite quickly and easily. You need to undertake a food hygiene course at your adult education centre. Alternatively, ask a friend who has one to take charge. You may be taking on some of the cooking yourself, or having everyone bring a dish for a buffet. You’ll need good tables, plates and serving irons.

 

Of course, a sit-down meal is lovely at a wedding reception. If you have a small party, you may be able to manage this at home. Alternatively, hire a hall with plenty of tables. You can cover them with wedding tablecloths and centrepieces to make them beautiful for your big day. Seats can also be covered. You can hire the covers, or make them yourself. Finish them off with sashes.

You may also want to have your First Dance at your wedding reception. If you have hired a hall, check with the owner that they have a music licence. In some places, it is illegal to play live or recorded music without one. You will also need to plan the seating and table space well so that you have a clear area to dance in. A lot of wedding photos are taken with a flowery, decorative backdrop. See if you can dress a corner so people can have their photos taken there.

It is possible to have a beautiful reception on a tiny budget. Of course, doing it yourself may add extra pressure and stress to your event. However, for a wedding reception done exactly the way you want it, you can’t beat doing it yourself.