Q&A for How to Plan a Wedding Reception

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How do I decide what to serve for dinner at my wedding?

Minoti Mehta
Event & Wedding Planner
Minoti Mehta is the Founder of Vermilion Weddings & Events, an event and wedding planning business based in San Francisco, California. Minoti grew up in the event and wedding planning space and has over five years of event planning experience. She has been invited to participate as a Delegate at five exclusive Event Planner Conferences including Destination Wedding Planners Congress and Planners Xtraordinaire and has become known as one of the Top Wedding and Event Planners in the San Francisco Bay Area. Minoti's work has been featured on NDTV India, Love Stories TV, Maharani Weddings, and WedWise India. Vermilion Weddings & Events was also awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2018. Minoti has a BS in Hospitality Management and Accounting from the University of San Francisco.

Minoti Mehta

Event & Wedding Planner

Expert Answer

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Question

How do you do assigned seating at a wedding?

Carole Grogan
Professional Event Planner
Carole Grogan is the Owner and Head Event Designer for Bright Blue Events, an event planning company that specializes in weddings. Her team has planned beautiful, detailed weddings, as well as social and corporate events for over 10 years, taking care of details such as floral design, décor, staffing, and catering.

Carole Grogan

Professional Event Planner

Expert Answer

Consider who will enjoy sitting with whom and where in the room they'll sit. Seating people with similar qualities or experiences together is always a good idea. You can group friends from college, people you know from work, or single people you might want to meet. Also keep in mind where groups are located. You don't, for example, want to put a group of older guests near speakers, but would want younger people near the dancefloor.

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Question

What steps do I need to take to plan a small wedding reception?

Community Answer

Here are the basics: 1. Location - Where will you hold the reception? 2. Set up - How will you decorate the place? 3. Guests - How many people will attend? 4. Food - Who will make the wedding and groom cakes? Will it be a buffet or a sit-down dinner? 5. Music - Will there be a live band, a DJ, or a stereo system?

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Question

How do I order alcohol for a wedding reception?

Tcevents

Community Answer

Many times, your catering company will provide the option for alcohol. You can also find independent companies online who will provide servers and alcohol. The last option is to DIY -- buy your own alcohol and find someone to serve it for you.

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Question

What is the best order to set up a wedding reception?

Community Answer

First announce the couple's entrance, then begin the buffet line or serving food. Following the meal, begin toasts and cake cutting. Dancing usually follows and finishes off the night.

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Question

If we're having alcohol, do we have to have hard liquor, or can it just be champagne?

Community Answer

It's totally up to you. Most bigger wedding receptions have a full bar stocked with beer, wine, champagne, and hard liquor, but you certainly don't have to do it that way. Perhaps if you want to signal to guests that only champagne will be available, you could put something on the invitation like, "Champagne reception to follow ceremony."

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Question

If the bride's biological father is not in her life, can she dance with her stepfather, father-in-law, or any other male relative?

Tcevents

Community Answer

Absolutely. Whoever is going to walk her down the aisle would be a great person to also dance with her for the father/daughter dance.

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Question

How can I hire someone to help me with reception planning?

Community Answer

Visit a local wedding fair in your area or get recommendations from friends who have been married to find a reception planner.

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Question

My vendor contract has added a $1,120 staffing charge for my wedding reception at the country club. What is this, & do l still tip?

Tcevents

Community Answer

Usually service charge and gratuity is always included in catering bills. There is no need to tip on top of it, unless they specifically tell you that tip is not included, or you are very happy with the service and want to leave some extra tips.

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Question

We will be providing the alcohol for an open bar. How do we determine how much to purchase?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Buy a fixed amount and when it runs out, that's the end of that. The more you buy, the more will be drunk. I would figure a two-drink average per guest, round up and leave it at that. Alternatively, you could consult with a wholesale supplier for recommendations. You can also have them deliver a certain (large) amount of drinks with the written agreement that they take back everything that is still sealed; you'd pay only that which was consumed.

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Question

Is it fine to have fun games at the reception?

KY_GirlatHeart

Community Answer

Sure, why not? This is a way to keep everyone entertained, and you won't have to sit down the entire time talking. Pick games that are suitable for all ages who are attending.

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Question

What is a good rehearsal dinner layout?

Community Answer

It depends on many factors like the couple's families preferences, who will be attending, and the venue chosen for the event.

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Question

Can you hire a harpist to add a soothing ambience to the wedding?

Community Answer

Absolutely! A harp adds a very lovely and peaceful air to a wedding.

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