You have found the perfect dress, you have a theme in mind for the wedding, and the vacation brochures are stacked up on the coffee table to help you book the most romantic honeymoon in the world, ever. But what about the reception – have you thought about where you are going to hold the wedding reception?
No matter how tight the budget, every bride and groom deserves a decent party after they have said their vows. It is traditional to celebrate a wedding with a gathering for family and friends. Of course not everyone can afford to have the reception immediately after the wedding. Some couples choose to have a very low-key ceremony followed by a reception weeks or even months after the event, perhaps because they got married abroad, away from family and friends. But irrespective of when you decide to organize a wedding reception, the location for the event is very important. So if you are thinking about this right now, there are a few ideas to inspire you.
Hotel Banqueting Suite
Hotels are traditionally a great place to hold a wedding reception. Depending on your budget, you will have a choice of anything from a small, family run hotel to an international 5* chain in one of the world’s top cities. Booking a banqueting suite within a Los Angeles hotel means you have everything on hand: food, accommodation and, usually, entertainment. You should have your pick of venues if you are able to organize your wedding reception well in advance, but even if you leave it until the last minute, there will always be somewhere with an available room if you are not too fussy.
Historic Building
For a wedding reception with a Downton Abbey theme, look at booking a historic building or stately home for your wedding reception. Photo opportunities will be fantastic if you are able to find a suitably grand building. You may even be able to combine the wedding and reception at the same venue if it has a wedding license in place. You will probably need to plan this one in advance, however, as the best venues are usually booked up many months ahead.
Beach Resort
Fancy a relaxed wedding reception where guests can enjoy the sunshine and sea? If you combine a honeymoon and wedding reception, you have all corners covered. It doesn’t get much more romantic than a 5* beach resort somewhere exotic like the Maldives or U.S. Virgin Islands. It will be pretty expensive, though, so be prepared to save up a lot of cash in order to pay for everything.
Museum or Art Gallery
Museums and art galleries make quirky and stylish venues for a wedding reception. Lots of museums and galleries now off function rooms for hire, and for a wedding reception with a difference, this is definitely one to consider. Imagine how amazing it would be to toast your friends and family with some awesome exhibits as an interesting backdrop. Your guests can have fun and learn a few things at the same time.
Local Bar
For a more low-key wedding reception, a function room within your local bar is the perfect choice. Since you are likely to choose somewhere you are familiar with, it will feel like a home from home. Invite your friends and family and enjoy a more intimate gathering. And if you are a regular, you might even be offered a significant discount on the hire costs.
At Home
What could be more relaxing than organizing a celebratory wedding reception party at home – you don’t need to travel anywhere and once the party is over, you can kick off your shoes and go to sleep in your own bed. This probably won’t work if you don’t have a big garden, but if there is plenty of room, hire a marquee, caterers and entertainment, and look forward to a fabulous party. Or, if you don’t have much money available to spend on a wedding reception, ask everyone to bring a dish or have a BBQ in the garden. It will just as enjoyable.
Wedding receptions do taken a fair amount of organization. To avoid any last minute hiccups, start planning your reception nice and early, and if you have your heart set on a specific venue, make enquiries well in advance to avoid disappointment. And remember, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a wedding reception – there are plenty of ways to cut costs if you are working with a meagre budget.
