In the New England area reception
sites abound — but most
popular sites are often reserved more than a year in advance!
The wise couple will reserve their special reception location
before making any other plans. Many couples have found it is
often much easier to book a reception on a Friday or Sunday.
Some facilities will even offer special discounts/incentives
for receptions held on days other than Saturdays. When it comes
to choosing a reception site, types of facilities vary greatly.
The deciding factor for most weddings is usually the number of
guests the facility can accommodate. Budget and location are
the next important factors to consider.
For those on a tight budget, the church hall is an affordable
reception site that offers convenience as well. Many clubhouses,
operated by organizations including the American Legion, Veterans
of Foreign Wars, athletic, ethnic clubs and service organizations
are often available for receptions. These "clubhouses" vary from
casual to formal upscale and their fees range accordingly.
City, county, and state parks offer natural settings appreciated
by many, as does your own backyard! With the help of a tent rental
company your reception can be "covered" come rain or shine!
Hotels, catering halls, country clubs, university unions, museums
and restaurants are some of the most popular sites for receptions.
These venues can range in capacity from intimate parties to grand
affairs. The wedding couple must determine an approximate number
of guests to be sure the location can accommodate their needs.
Each site has its own size and style and therefore prices can
vary a great deal. Reception site managers all agree that the
first piece of advice they make to couples looking for a reception
site is to know their budget. Other things to keep in mind are
whether the site can accommodate parking needs, dance space,
and music requirements. What are the policies on beverages, food
and catering services, time restrictions and decorations? Are
tables, chairs, linens, silverware and other accessories provided?
Check on rental fee, deposits, and date guarantees. It is important
to view the facility to make sure you are getting what you expect.
Ask to see the facility when it is prepared for a wedding that
is similar to how yours will be set up. Discuss any special needs
you or your guests may have with the banquet/site manager in
advance, the day of the wedding will be too hectic to deal with
any of the details!
Outdoor Reception & Tents
Alternative ideas to the traditional reception site can include
city, county and state parks, or one's own backyard. While some
parks have shelters available in case of inclement weather, others
rely on the rental of tents as shelter. (Since each park has
their own restrictions and rules, it is vital that the couple
knows well in advance, what they can and cannot do). The use
of a tent combines the feeling of the great outdoors with protection
from the elements. Tents come in a variety of styles and can
play host to a casual event or elegant gathering. Rental
companies can supply beautiful white tents with French window sidewalls,
dance floors, lighting, tables, chairs, fountains and more to
provide a breathtaking atmosphere for any celebration. Tents
are available in many sizes; some can even accommodate over 2,500
people! Professionals in the tent rental business can help choose
the size and style that will be best for the event.
The great outdoors also provides many options in food choice from picnics to
formal sit-down dinners. Caterers can be hired or the do-it-yourselfer can
turn to rental companies for food service equipment and portable bars. When
choosing an outdoor venue there is one more thing to keep in mind, the need
for restrooms. Some companies that carry portable restrooms will rent them
for special events. Companies that specialize in the business may surprise
you. Their units are clean and can come equipped with flushing toilets, sinks,
mirrors and lights, providing all the conveniences of an indoor facility in
the outdoors! In this area, many facilities are under contracts with specific
caterers. This means that when a reception facility is chosen, the facility
may dictate who will provide the food. If a facility is chosen that lets the
couple choose their own caterer, a delectable variety of caterers are available
from which to choose.
Reception Traditions
Wedding innovations will continue to develop, but some reception
traditions have stood the test of time. These include:
The first toast is proposed by the best man after the wedding
party has been served and is usually followed by toasts from
other relatives, friends or the bride and/or groom.
The newlyweds' cake-cutting is always a crowd pleaser. After
the bride and groom feed each other a small piece, their parents
receive pieces before the guests.
The first dance belongs to the newlyweds. This solo dance
focusing on the bride and groom is traditionally a waltz. A
contemporary approach can entail a special song, choreographed
routine, or any dance of the couple's choice. The wise bride
and groom won't wait until the last minute. It takes time for
a professional to help enhance this first dance as husband
and wife. Couples may consider going for professional dance
lessons a few months before the wedding to learn the basics
of some ballroom dance steps. There's nothing more impressive
than when a wedding couple looks graceful on the dance floor.
The newlyweds' solo dance is followed by the bride dancing
with her father, the groom's father and the best man. The groom
dances with the bride's mother, his mother and the maid of
honor. Other guests join the wedding party on the floor after
these customary dances.
Tossing the bouquet over her shoulder to a waiting group
of single women, the bride joins with tradition to appoint
the lucky recipient as the next bride.
Removing the garter from the bride's leg and throwing it
to a gathering of bachelors is also traditional, with the bachelor
catching the garter (thrown by either of the newlyweds) designated
the next groom.
People will often clink their glasses to make the bride and
groom kiss during the reception. As a twist on this tradition,
announce that wedding guests will have to stand up and sing
a few lines from a song that contains the word "love" in
order to entice the newlyweds to kiss.
In the New England area 
The first toast is proposed by the best man after the wedding
party has been served and is usually followed by toasts from
other relatives, friends or the bride and/or groom.