Things not to forget for the Wedding Reception
There are plenty of how to guides out there to tell you what to do two years, one year, or even 6 months before your Wedding day. This guide will hopefully inform you of some dos and don’ts pertaining to the Wedding Day itself. And, maybe help you with those last minute “am I forgetting something” questions.
If all couples spent as much time preparing for the reception as they do decorating there would hardly ever be situations arise that would interrupt the reception. When you start thinking about the planning process is when you need to start preparing for the reception. If you are having professionals (Catering, Photographers, DJ) hopefully the people you pick will help you greatly in the preparing process. However, most couples do not prepare as they move ahead in the planning process. I have a couple ideas to help.
Buy a plastic tote with a lid. I suggest a clear plastic tote so you can easily see what is inside of the tote. Use a Sharpie and label the tote Take To The Wedding/Reception. As the planning process goes along purchase things that you know you will need and place them in the tote.
When you make the decision that you are having a cake to cut at the Reception buy the cake cutting utensils and put them in the tote. I can't begin to tell you how many couples have overlooked the cake cutting utensils and nobody knew until it was time to cut the cake.
If you are offering alcohol but you are not hiring a professional bartending company you will need some tools. Purchase a bar kit that includes a bottle opener, cork screw opener, knife for lemons or limes, a small cutting board, some type of ice scoop. The last thing you want is to be getting ready for a toast and you can't get the bottles open.
Make sure the Catering company you hire allows for extra plates, napkins and silverware. I have witnessed on a couple occasions the buffet line ran out of plates, napkins or silverware and the "Professional" said "sorry, they didn't pay for more plates". Purchase a few packages of plates, napkins and silverware and put them in your tote. If you need them you have them. If not, they will be something that you will use eventually.
"Where did that Marriage License go"? Yes, I have had more than a few couples forget to bring the Marriage License to the wedding. When you get your License put it in your tote. If you do happen to forget the License make certain the person you send to get it does not play an important role in the Wedding Reception. Don't send a parent you are doing a dance with to get the license or a member of the Bridal Party if you are wanting pictures or a dance with them. Sending a person that is playing a role in the reception will put your reception and the people running your reception way behind.
Your day is here, you spent months maybe even years planning for the perfect day. Your Ceremony went great, the Reception is starting out better than planned and then someone comes to you and says... "There is nobody in the kitchen doing the food"! Yes this has happened. My Wife and I arrived to setup for a Reception in a beautiful barn setting. The Ceremony was held in an orchard on the farm property. Like always I checked with the kitchen to make sure the food would be on time and there was nobody in the kitchen cooking. The people the Bride and Groom had asked to help with the food got mad at the Bride and Groom a couple days before and never showed up. With having over 20 years of Restaurant Management experience my Wife and I rolled up our sleeves and started cooking. We found some people to help my Wife in the kitchen. I rescheduled the dances being done for the Reception and by the time the Formalities were done the food was just about ready. Make sure you can count on the people you pick to show up and do the job. Also, if you are the Bridezilla type make sure you do not upset people that are playing an important role in making your Reception a success.
Also, make sure you have all of the tools the people doing our food will need from cooking utensils, knives, cleaning supplies to serving dishes and utensils.
The Cake Cutting is done but who is really cutting the cake? This is one of the most overlooked items in all of the Receptions that I have done. I can't even begin to say how many cakes I have cut for the Bride and Grooms guests. Do not assume someone will just cut the cake for you assign someone to handle this job. Some newly married couples choose to cut the cake themselves for their guests. I never suggest doing this. You will get messy from the cake and frosting, plus if you want to keep the Reception moving and on time you will not have the time to stand for a half hour cutting cake. I say job because it is a big job cutting a large wedding cake. I suggest asking one or two people that are close to you that do not already have a role in your Reception but may have wanted one.
There are so many more items I will be blogging about in the future. If you have any questions on any of these items or other items send me a message or an e-mail and I will be glad to tell you what I suggest. Thank you for taking the time to read my first ever Blog.
