There are a number of things you will need to consider if you are planning a wedding reception. The location of the wedding reception will depend on your budget, number of guests, desired setting and other factors. The types of reception sites include: where the room, chinaware, tables and food will be charged per person. The other, is when hosts provide their own food, drinks, tables, tablecloths, decorations, and others. You have to decide whether you want everything provided for you by your site, or if you will be paying for the reception site and everything else separately through a caterer? You will need to compare locations, rental fees, caterers prices, drinks, gratuity, equipment, and consider alternative plans if it rains at an outdoor reception. Are you having a band or a DJ provide your music? What kind of music are you having?
If having your wedding reception in a hotel, make sure all plans are arranged professionally, so that no booking complications or cost problems occur. If having an evening or afternoon reception where a full meal will be served, you will need to choose a competent caterer, someone who has a good reputation and will meet your all your food and beverage needs. Make sure that the caterer comes with reputable cooks, servers and bartenders. Consider all the costs involved. Make a list of everything you?ll need, and double check everything as you go along.
The costs of beverages vary depending on the type of alcohol and brand being served. The Kinds of alcohol you can serve include wine, white and red, and liquor such as rum, gin, vodka, scotch and various cocktails. You can also serve non-alcoholic drinks, such as pop or non-alcoholic fruit cocktails. You can choose from an open bar where you as the host pay for all of the drinks being served. The other options would be hosting an open bar for the first hour, followed by a cash bar. (Guests will need to be aware of what type of bar you will be hosting, as they will need to bring cash with them). Make sure your reception site allows alcohol, and that your caterer has a license to serve. One drink per hour per person is an average allowable amount. Keep in mind to serve food with liquor.
Another pointer to keep in mind is that normally the hosts are responsible for the safety and conduct of their guests. A bartending fee may be charged by your caterer as well as by the reception site. There may also be a corkage fee per bottle, as well as a fee for pouring coffee served with the wedding cake. Other things to consider would include, a gratuity for the caterer (15-17%) of the food and beverage bill, gifts for guests, (small keepsakes), disposable cameras are easy, cost effective and convenient. Also, plan whether you will throw rice, rose petals or confetti if anything at all, and your reception sites policy on this, last but not least there may be a parking and valet fee involved in the costs.
Your wedding reception needs to be planned carefully so as not to miss a detail. If planned well you will feel less stress when your special day arrives. Make sure to ask your caterer, whether at hotel or another site all appropriate questions. Make your list and check off everything you will need, such as reception site fee, length of time you will need the site for, all food costs including, hors D?Oeuvres and the main meal, all liquor costs, bar costs, music, dancing, parking and all other costs and considerations of your reception, and have fun!
Ken and Deidre are successful authors and publishers of Wedding Information for all Brides and Grooms http://www.weddingdresses-gifts-flowers.com