5 Wedding Reception Ideas & Tips.
Your drinks reception is one of the most important parts of your day so its important to get it right. Having performed at hundreds of weddings over the years I thought I would share my thoughts and tips for having the perfect wedding drinks reception.
1. Drinks
It might seem obvious but make sure you have a good selection of drinks at your drinks reception. Prosecco, Champagne and bottled beers on ice are a must for most drinks receptions but don’t forget fruit juice or soft drinks for the kids and those guests who don’t drink!
Another popular option is to have your own wedding cocktail instead of the usual champagne and beer. This is a great way to put your own stamp on things and make your drinks reception that little bit more unique.
2. Canapes
Most of your guests wont have had much to eat as they will have been busy getting ready and travelling to your venue. Canapes are the only food they will have until your wedding breakfast. Make sure you order plenty to go around and try ordering something different. Standard canape food is fine but will quickly be forgotten about. Try and be adventurous when deciding on your choice of canapes.
3. Music
Most venues will provide background music during your drinks reception. You could also create your own playlist for the venue to play.
Live music is great entertainment for any drinks reception as long as it is background, that way your guests can still chat and enjoy other types of entertainment.
Liz Hendry wedding piano is PERFECT live drinks reception music.
4. Entertainment
Drinks reception entertainment is a vital part of your day. Without entertainment your guest will be left with just drinks, canapes and small talk. We have all been to a wedding like this, standing around waiting with nothing to do. The right entertainment can help your day flow and turn quite times into amazing times.
A good wedding magician can take all the worry out of your drinks reception by keeping guests of all ages entertained. A mixture of amazing magic and comedy mean your guests will be laughing, amazed and having fun.
TIP: Giant garden games are a good option for some extra drinks reception entertainment in the summer months. Giant Jenga, Draughts, Croquet, Giant dominos are all good examples and most can be bought or hired easily and cheaply.
5. Photographs
Most drinks receptions used to be taken up with the photographs. From the group shots to close family, family of the bride, family of the groom, friends etc You want to be able to enjoy your drinks reception and not spend the whole time posing for photographs.
My advice is to only have a couple of group and family shots, keep them to a minimum. Hire a documentary style photographer who will take photos of your guests enjoying themselves in the background and not interrupt the flow of the day. This way your photographs will be more natural and they can really capture the fun and emotion of your day.
TIP: It is a good idea to have your table plan available from the start of your drinks reception. This means your guests can find where they will be sitting at their leisure and this avoids any chaos when the time comes to be seated for your wedding breakfast.
Thank you for reading and I hope you found some of the information useful. If you would like a quote for me to perform my amazing magic at your wedding then please CONTACT ME.
