Wedding receptions are about enjoying and letting loose. However, there are so many things you need to consider in order to put together the perfect party such as table numbers, escort cards, cake serving set, tables, chairs, dance floor and many more. The items included on a wedding reception checklist vary generally, but each one has a crucial role to play in having your celebration run smoothly.
In this article, we have compiled a list of essential items for any wedding reception to run smoothly and successfully. Here are some of the must-have items to help you plan your most awaited day:
A lively Professional MC
If you want to set the mood right, a huge aspect of a great program heavily relies upon the hands of an entertaining host. Your MC can either be a paid professional or not, but you need to make sure that they have the magical skills to effortlessly introduce people, particularly those with difficult-to-pronounce names, they should be able to make guests laugh, and to shorten or stretch scripted dialogue when the situation calls for it.
It would be even nice and a plus point if they know how to speak more than two languages and can easily switch dialects or they can sing songs to your guests beautifully and enjoy hearing the tunes.
Rentals
A professional event rentals company, together with your wedding venue and caterer, offers plenty of essential items on your wedding reception checklist that you may forget. You need to ensure that you provide them with an accurate headcount once your RSVPs are in so they are able to get the proper amounts of every necessary item.
Tent
A tent may come in handy especially if you’re having the reception outdoors. So, try to find a reputable tent company that can provide you with the right tent as there are plenty to choose from for your event. And depending on your venue, you might also need generators, kitchen tents, and more.
Lighting
Do you want your reception to look amazing and have the right ambience? Hire an experienced lighting company. They can completely transform your wedding reception area and turn it from great to jaw-dropping.
Wedding Reception Stage for the Entertainment
Most likely, wedding receptions would hire live musicians to entertain everyone. So, if you’re thinking of having a band on your day, you would need a stage for them to perform on. This is why we suggest looking for reception venues that have built-in stages. But if this is not possible, then it would require a stage to be created or built in the venue. Don’t forget to ask your florist to decorate this area too!
Tables and Chairs For Wedding Reception
When it comes to guest table options, the choices are limitless. You can choose from long banquet tables to round tables, or you can choose one table style or even mix it up. Plus, take note that you’ll need more than just guest tables from buffet tables, gift tables, escort card tables and more. Your on-the-day wedding coordinator or venue manager can help you determine which tables you’re going to need.
When it comes to chairs, the options are also endless. You can pick from cross-back, cane back, ghost cane back, and many more. Your wedding style and budget will be the factors that will determine your chair choice.
Utensils and Other Table Accessories
Since we’ve talked about tables and chairs, you would need a lot of utensils from dishes to bowls to flatware to glassware and other supplies. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
- Dishes: plates, bowls, salad plates, dinner plates, bread plates, etc.
- Flatware: steak knives, salad forks, butter knives, soup spoons, etc.
- Glassware: water and wine glasses
- Dinner table accessories: bread baskets for butter knives and plates, salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, and more
- Bar area and supplies: everything from straws to barware, lime and lemon wedges (if the venue doesn’t have a bar)
- Champagne flutes
- Serving trays and utensils: depends on the serving style of the catering (family-stale, plated, buffet, etc.)
- Napkin and napkin rings
- Wedding cake stand
- Buffet warming trays and serving pieces: services pieces, warming tray trays, and etc.
- Table linens: tablecloths and runners
- Chair covers or sashes
Cake Cutting
This tradition takes place after the groom and bride finish their meals or at least mid-way through reception, but nowadays, several married couples have diverted up the arrangement. The couples need to cut the cake as soon as they get to the reception venue. This is actually better because the couples can relax more and enjoy their meal.
Games
We are already familiar with the traditional bouquet and garter toss right, so you can definitely ditch those! It’s probably the most dreaded part of the program. There are so many wonderful games that will involve the whole assembly. You can do a trivia game about the couple or a kissing game based on the years older couples have been married. Cute, right? Of course, don’t forget to give your guests token prizes!