Require careful planning
No wedding would be complete without a
reception and no reception will be successful without proper planning.
Venues are at a premium in the High Country
these days, but most popular are church fellowship halls, historic inns,
hotels, back yards and gardens.
Weather is always a factor to consider in
the mountains, so having a back-up plan for an outdoor even it vital.
Don’t delay reserving the spot of your
dreams for your post wedding celebration, are the more limited resources an
area offers, the faster they are booked.
Most churched where wedding are performed
will also allow receptions in their fellowship halls. However, most also have
restrictions regarding alcohol and dancing.
Few locations in the area today are able to
provide reception space plus on sight catering, so careful planning is required
to coordinate the two.
Whether you choose basic appetizers, a
multi course sit down meal or a buffer line for your guests, advance planning
and open dialogue will be required between you and your vendors of choice. The
same goes for beverage services.
Don’t forget the music do you want a disc
jockey, a live band or relaxing piano music in the background?
The cost of your reception can vary
greatly, but every dollar will be well spent with advanced planning and
utilizing professional vendors or trustworthy friends and family members.
Consider the following when you begin
planning:
- The number of guests versus facility
space and accommodations
- The venue and provisions of tables,
chairs and linens; dinnerware and utensils
- Reception overseer/coordinator and
greeters
- Climate control/weather conditions
- Catering services and food preferences
elegant sit-down dinner, casual buffet or passed hors d’oeuvres
- Decorations/set up
- Facility rules regarding alcohol
- Music
- Dancing –space and permission
- Guest parking/accessibility
- Additional charges; parking, valets,
doormen, security guards and servers
- Accessibility to changing rooms
- Signed contracts between bridal party,
venue and vendors
There are just a few of many ideas that you
will need to explore for a problem free reception. Just as with the wedding
ceremony, this celebration is as unique as is the bride and groom themselves
there is no “one size fits all” that works for everyone.
