How do I start planning a wedding reception? Keep your budget in mind when you are planning a wedding reception. Communicate this budget with all of the people involved in the planning process. Planning...
Planning a wedding reception can be a daunting task, especially if you have not previously planned a similar type of event. Many people wonder how to get started in developing a plan for a wedding reception. Before you begin making any arrangements for your wedding reception, it is essential to make a few initial decisions.
The first key decision is the budget for your wedding reception. According to Kyle Hayden, the Event Coordinator for Strong Events, which specializes in decorating and design for theme parties, you should have a budget in mind and try to stick to it as much as possible. "You might go over that budget a little bit here and there, but have an idea of what is important to you," he advises.
Hayden says that many people do not set a budget, which can often inspire and control the wedding reception plans. Before you know it, he continues, they have gone way over budget, whether they are paying for the reception themselves or the parents are funding it. "Dad and Mom might have one budget in mind, and because they have not had a wedding in 20-plus years, they think you are kidding them when you present them with a $40,000 budget," says Hayden
Another important decision to make during the early stages of planning your wedding reception is the theme. Hayden explains that everyone has a different idea in what makes a special wedding reception. He says, "Some people really want to stick to a particular theme or local colors that are involved with the time or season. Some people really like pastel pink and do not care if it is December 31 or if it is July 31." He thinks that it definitely helps to go along with a theme appropriate for the time of the year, but notes that everyone is different.
When choosing a theme, consider what type of reception would coordinate with your wedding ceremony. Also consider who your guests will be and what type of reception they might enjoy. Hayden says that he has planned weddings and receptions that are extremely elegant and at the other end of the spectrum has done receptions with a country theme, "Being in Texas, everybody wants to represent that culture, especially if there is a group that's coming in from out of town or if the bride or groom is from a different state."
When planning a wedding reception, it is also necessary to keep your personal style, as well as your wishes and desires, at the forefront of your plan. Hayden suggests that you communicate your expectations to everyone involved in planning the reception. He says not to go out on your own in making plans, but to also keep in mind that it is your special day.
If you plan ahead and consider all of these decisions during the early stages of planning your wedding reception, it should make the entire process go more smoothly. Setting your expectations at the beginning and understanding your wishes and limitations can save you time and energy in the long run, leading to a successful and enjoyable wedding reception.
