When wedding planning first begins, figuring out your vision as a couple for the wedding is key! One of the main things to discuss is the wedding reception! I love when couples include a reception after their ceremony to greet guests and spend time with their friends and family! Here are three kinds of wedding receptions I see the most!!
1. Sit Down Dinner
I love when couples choose to treat their guests to a sit down dinner. The way this kind of reception works is that you have an exact guest list where guest RSVP. Everyone has a seat, with or without place cards. The guests are fed while seated, and traditions, speeches, dances all take place where everyone get to stay in their spot or join in the fun when appropriate!
Pros:
You can have an exact guest list to expect.
Guests stay longer when fed a meal.
No reception line. Couple can mingle and greet every table separately.
Can personalize the evening! I’ve seen couples provide a quiz about the couple to guests to compete on, couples have performed musical numbers, showcased slideshows to their guests, etc.
Cons:
Potentially more expensive than serving just desserts.
Have to narrow down a guest list and pay per head.
Less freedom when sending invites.
2. Reception line/Open House
This is probably the most common kind of reception I see in Utah! The couple and or their parents stand at the head of the room and guests arrive and come through the line to get to greet the couple! Depending on the couple, the line will end after a certain amount of time and guests will be invited to stay to watch the couple participate in traditions!
Pros:
You give your guests the chance to come and greet you and your new spouse- very important to lots of guests!
Able to invite a more “unlimited” amount of people because you don’t require an RSVP.
People can come and go as they please!
Most guests only expect light refreshments or deserts, so it’s cheaper!
Cons:
Standing in line gets tiring! Some couples miss out on getting to enjoy the evening while stuck in line.
Often lines run long so traditions are held back to back to back right before heading off on your grand exit.
During the time that the line is held guests are often waiting a while in line and for traditions.
3. Mid-day Luncheon/Reception
Recently I’ve seen a hybrid of a luncheon and a reception! It’s essentially a merge of the prior two, but usually held at an earlier time of day, more close to lunch time!
Pros:
Since these events are held earlier in the day, your day is generally shorter! This leads to less fatigue and more energy heading off to your honeymoon!
Usually the people invited to your ceremony are the same people that come to the meal! So you get to spend time with the people who really matter.
More relaxed if held not around dinner time!
Able to greet your guests table by table.
Venues are cheaper during daytime slots!
Lunch meals are much more affordable. I’ve seen people have popular lunch places cater such as Costa Vida or Chick-fil-a before!
You can still include traditions such as cutting the cake and speeches but you can do so directly after the last person has received their food so that guests aren’t waiting a long time to see the program.
Cons:
A little unusual so guests might not be able to come earlier in the day.
Still paying for a full meal for everyone.
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FEATURED WEDDINGS
High School Sweethearts Married at their High School
July 10, 2019
Kylee Ann Team
