Woman World Web

April 30th, 2009 by Mae Summerville

If you are the typical person you probably have never hosted an event that involved more than a few dozen people. However if you are going to be hosting your own wedding reception then you are going to have to learn how to seriously step up your game.

Obviously the first thing to determine will be the number of guests. This will allow you to begin getting estimates for the food and drink you will be serving as well as the entertainment and the cost of the venue. It will also help you determine the menu and the amount of decoration as well as the amount of help you will need to properly handle the reception.

Once you determine the amount of guests, you need to make sure your selected venue can handle that many people. Most guest’s lists grow over time so if you initially have 50 guests estimated you will need a venue that can accommodate 60-75.

Next you will need to decide if you will be serving “finger food”, a buffet, or a full sit down dinner. The costs on these vary dramatically and if you already have a budget amount in mind this will dictate the type of food you will be offering. Be sure to keep in mind that some guests will have dietary restrictions and so plan to offer alternates if you are planning a dinner.

Be sure and inquire about the costs of drinks at your reception. Depending on what you choose this can add greatly to the cost of the reception. The most expensive option is a fully stocked open bar. If you cannot afford this ask about a bar that serves only wine and beer. An even cheaper alternative is bar that offers only setups. Some people will offer a fully stocked bar but guests must purchase their own alcoholic beverages. You will also need to find out if liquor can be served at the venue you select.

Besides food, you will find that drinks also constitute a large part of your reception budget especially if you are serving alcohol. Be sure and get estimates for an open bar if you are planning one as this is a very expensive perk to have at your reception. If you are tight on the reception budget ask about a bar that only serves wine and beer or one that only offers setups. You can have a bar that serves alcohol but charges the guests for the drinks they buy. Be sure and find out the alcohol policy at the venue you select.

As with the wedding ceremony itself, planning the reception can be a grueling task. Be sure and fully utilize your vendors for ideas on how to get the things you really want at a price you can afford. Many have been in the business for years and so know numerous alternatives. Keep in mind that nothing is usually concrete so always try and negotiate a better price or more options whenever possible. Try different scenarios and see if you can reach a price point that is closer to your budgeted amount.