Wedding Receptions 101

Wedding receptions usually take place after the wedding ceremony. This gives guests the opportunity to welcome the newly wedded couple, as a married couple, and it gives everyone a chance to relax and enjoy food, refreshments, and have a good time with family and friends. These events are typically the largest expense and unfortunately, not all couples have the money to pay for an extravagant hall, especially since there’s so much money that goes into every other aspect of getting married.

The thing to remember if you’re looking to plan an inexpensive wedding reception is that the reception can be anywhere, it doesn’t have to be in a location that exclusively hosts weddings. Once you open up your options, you’ll discover that there are so many other viable and exciting reception locations available. In most cases, every city has several venues that can host your dream wedding perfectly.

One idea is to have the reception outdoors. Of course you always have to worry what the weather will bring, but having an outside reception gives you many different places you can explore. For instance, you could have your reception at a city park, and you don’t have to worry about whether there will be enough room for a large reception party. A few big tents to protect the food, drinks, cake, and of course the presents, is all that’s really needed, and if the weather cooperates, it can bring a touch of natural beauty to the ceremony.

If you want to hold it inside, there are also plenty of options, depending on the size of your reception. If you’re holding something with under 150 guests, there are plenty of lodges that have enough space to accommodate you. American Legion halls work great, as they’re usually roomy and spacious, and if someone in your immediate family was a member of the military, you can use their space for next to nothing. Not only that, but if you decide to serve alcohol at your event, they will supply a bartender at a very nominal fee.

Other types of lodges to consider are the “animal” brands, such as moose and elk clubs. Hunting lodges aren’t used year round, and neither are ski lodges – both will usually cut you a deal because they’d rather make some money during the off season than nothing at all.

Another interesting idea for your reception is to rent the space many apartment complexes have for their own receptions and special events. Some are small, holding maybe 30 to 40 people at best, but others are large enough to accommodate an event with at least 100 people. These community centers usually come with full kitchens and spacious rooms for entertainment, you’ll have a place to store, cook and serve food as well as cabinets and drawers for plates, glasses, silverware and alcohol.

Finally, why not hold the reception right in the church where you get married? Many churches have multiple rooms that they’ll rent out for many different reasons, and you might be able to get an inclusive rate by holding it in the same place. Some churches even offer their facilities free of charge.

For additional wedding tips and wedding planning information;

Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning

775 . 786 . 1730

Summer's Hottest Unconventional Wedding Reception

OK, so we know it isn't summer, yet, but for you brides in planning-mode, this is a great idea!

You want a romantic, memorable wedding reception, but everyplace in town is booked! Are you sure?

Some say you need over a year to plan a good wedding and reception. I say you can do it in less than three months. When planning your reception, first figure out your goals. Seriously! Is it to get lots of gifts? Spend time with relatives you'll never see? Show off your dancing skills? Write it down & make sure your groom contributes to the list!

Once your list is complete, you may realize that a formal reception is unnecessary. Or, you'll see that the standard just won't do!

This summer's hottest unconventional wedding reception is a "Memory-Filled" Picnic Lunch.

Objective:
Allow guests to relax, eat, greet the bride and groom, and get to know the "other" side.

Challenges:
All the reception halls are booked that day, or out of your price range.
Budget is between $500-$1000 for 100 people.
Your sisters have all done this before--you want your wedding to be memorable.
Your mother-in-law-to-be really wants to help.

Solution:
Serve lunch, family-style in picnic baskets at the park.

Find a local park (or even the yard of the church). It should be close to the ceremony and provide ample parking. Check with the city or county to get any permits to use the park for a large party. There may be a fee, but it will be a small fraction of the cost of a reception hall. Parks with shade, pavilions, tables and restrooms are a must!

If tables are not available at the park, see if you can rent them from a local church. Depending on the "age-ility" of your guests, you may not need tables for everyone!

Check your big box stores in the Summer Section (items should be marked down by mid-June). Look for the makings of a picnic. You do not need 100 of the same thing. Just find matching items for each table or picnic basket.

Coming to our next post...all the essential details to make this reception happen, including shopping lists, and pricing! Check back tomorrow!

Do Your Guests A "Favor"

With all of the tantalizingly delicious food offerings served at your wedding reception, coupled with the awarding winning, one-of-a-kind confectioner's delight- The Cake, one has to ask- "Why give my guests favors"?

Favors are 'the icing on the cake' (if you will) of your well-planned wedding event. It is the take home gift that continually thanks your guests for being a part of your very special day. Favors can be edible or practical and functional. Whatever type of favor that you decide to offer to your guests make it memorable by adding your personal flair. That personal touch can come in the form of the calligraphy that you choose to scribe your guests name. It can be the style/color/print/design that you choose to wrap this special gift.

Regardless of the item you chose to offer as a favor and with the very special flair that you embellish it, remember to make it personal--and your guests will forever, for always remember your special day and the special way that you 'thanked' them.

The First Five Things To Do When Just Engaged

Just recently engaged?

Let me be among the first to congratulate you and your beloved!
You are making it officially official.

If you are one of the women who first freaked out or cried, and then immediately thought, “OH MY GOODNESS WHAT DO I DO NEXT?!” then welcome to the club. Nearly every newly engaged woman at some point will feel scared and excited at the very same time. So, what should you do after you tell your family and friends (and co-workers and neighbors and strangers at the bar)? Here’s a good place to start:

Step 1. Give yourself seven days – one FULL week – of not buying anything; of not thinking about how much money you’ll need to find to pay for the wedding; of not purchasing your dress. Give yourself one full week of being happy in your situation. Impulse purchases – even if you feel they have been “planned” for years – are likely to cause anxiety in the long-term.

Step 2. (This is a super important step.) BEFORE talking money with your parents and your partner’s parents, spend some quality time with each set of parents. By taking time to focus on your families you will bond over the promise of your future, and not over the stress of the money being spent.

Step 3. Now that your families are happy and on-board, it’s time to sit down with each set of parents and talk about the realities of the financial obligations of each family. Modern weddings often bring equal financial assistance from both sets of parents. However, if your partner’s family is more traditional, and if your family is not able to support the full cost of the wedding and reception (especially if there is food involved), then you will need to openly discuss with your partner the best way to broach the topic of conversation with your future in-laws.

It should be noted that reality often sets in, and many couples soon discover that their families are unable to provide the type of financial support to give them a “Dream Wedding.” Please know that ‘by the numbers’ very few couples are fortunate enough to truly experience their ideal wedding… especially as our view of modern weddings is purely excessive and over-consumptive by nature.

In the situations where there is not enough money to get what you think you want, it is best to remember one thing: You are not getting married to have a wedding. If you remember that you are getting married because you are very much in love and focus on your marriage, rather than just the wedding, you will be able to put everything into a better perspective. If you are unable to have the wedding of your dreams, make yourselves a promise that as soon as you can you will go on a fabulous vacation, or perhaps have a rockin’ anniversary party for all of your family and friends! If it comes down to money and you absolutely have to have what you want, fore go the marriage and enjoy being engaged for as long as it takes.

Step 4. Now that you are aware of your financial situation, set a wedding date that makes financial sense. There is zero point in planning a wedding date that is too soon for your finances. If you do not have the money to pay for wedding vendors and services, then you should absolutely not be signing contracts because the legal ramifications are just too large and the risk too high.

Step 5. Find a qualified wedding planner. A wedding planner’s services will range from $300-$3,000, depending on your financial situation and the level of hired talent, but you can be sure that the wedding planner will save you TONS of cash and time and frustration and confusion. It is logical to assume that if you are relaxed and excited during your engagement, then you will start your marriage off on the right foot.

Hope this helps. Congratulations!

Enjoy your new life together!

Cultural Hall Reception

If you are working with a small budget, decide what you can eliminate. There are no rules. There doesn't always have to be a meal, there doesn't have to be dancing. You don't really even need a lot of flowers. You can have it in a cultural hall or at your home. Keep it simple. Sometimes by limiting your guest list to family and friends, you really can have the reception of your dreams.