You may not be able to reinvent the wheel when planning your wedding bash, but you can make it your own by zeroing in on what kind of reception you really want.
"A wedding reception should have something to say about the bride and groom, about who they are," says Antoinette Marold, a wedding planner of 10 years and owner of Elegant Events by Antoinette, based in Bedford. "They shouldn't be afraid to do something out of the ordinary, as long as it is in good taste and good manners. Be creative and don't be boxed into everything you have seen before, unless that is your dream."
1. Location, location, location — Finding the spot that says you is even easier nowadays, as venues such as golf courses, grand mansions and historical and destination locations are open for reception business.
2. Seasonal class — Maybe the idea of snow falling outside is your ultimate in romance. Receptions held off season can be quite memorable, as well as less expensive. "Changing the time of the year — taking a July wedding and putting it in March — you can really get deals," observes Marsha Newman, owner of Perfect Choice Weddings and a wedding planner of more than 30 years.
3. All-in-one nuptials — If you don't have any religious ties to a particular church, consider a one-stop location for tying the knot and the party afterward. The ambiance can be maintained and you won't lose guests as couples often do when they have two locations.
4. Mood matters — Focus in on the ambiance. Whether it's elegant to a tee with fine china or laid back under a tent on a green lawn, the message you send to your guests should be welcoming, free of barriers and frustration.
5. Happy hour — A cocktails and hors d'oeuvres hour is a great way to get your guests to mingle and jump-start the party, especially if you're in a unique location such as Cleveland Botanical Garden or the Western Reserve Historical Society's Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, says Julian Severyn, owner of Wedding Artistry of Broadview Heights.
6. Please be seated — Mix it up a bit and use picture frames that double as place cards for your guests. While you're at it, combine guests from the bride's side and groom's side for dinner to spark new connections.
7. A picture is worth a thousand words — People love to look at pictures, especially of you and your spouse. Not only will it give your guests something to talk about, but they may learn a few things about the happy couple that they weren't privy to before.
8. Put your John Hancock there — Ask guests to write their best wishes on a large framed portrait of the bride and groom.
9. Grand entrances — Greeting your guests at your first party as husband and wife should be special. Think big. Have a bagpiper escort you both into the middle of the dance floor to start the party off right.
10. Who's in the party — Have the deejay or bandleader share a few personal details about the bridal party as they enter the room. "It doesn't have to be a long elaborate thing. Just interject a little bit about each person and their connection to the bride and groom," suggests Newman, who also serves as lead vocalist for her band, The Art Company Orchestra.
11. Heart of the table — Centerpieces offer a way to stand out. You can get as creative as you want. For example, if you love fine arts, grace each table with a copy of a famous work of art.
12. Dinner is served — If you are a master of cuisine and wine, the meal is the place to let your personality sparkle. A five- or eight-course meal might be the way to go, or select a complementing wine for your dinner. The sky is the limit with food presentation for added flair.
13. Topping on the cake — While the caketop provides an open field where your imagination can play, keep in mind that your cake topper needs to be particularly aesthetic, says Severyn, an artist by training. "Sometimes, it pays to spend a little bit of money because it is something [the couple] might want to save," he says. Or, find a special cake topper that coordinates with your theme.
14. To the beat of a different drummer — Hire a band or deejay that will go out of their way to make the music a special experience. Be sure they play your favorite songs and include something meaningful to you for the father-daughter and mother-son dances.
15. Linens and things — In terms of color-coordinated scheme, you can make a big statement with chair covers, sashes, table coverings and napkins. With so many wonderful color choices, it's an inexpensive way of doing something different, Severyn says.
16. Honor your heritage — Incorporate some of your family's culture into your reception. A simple way to do that might be with baklava for dessert or an ethnic flavored wedding cake. You could include polka music or even Irish dancers for entertainment.
17. Morning, noon and night — You don't have to have a Saturday evening reception. In fact, years ago, people married in the morning. You can have a beautiful brunch or breakfast reception following an early morning wedding. Serve mimosas and Bloody Marys and mingle with your guests. Another added bonus: You'll actually get enjoy the amenities of the honeymoon suite.
18. Elegance on a budget — This is possible, thank goodness. You can create elegance in myriad ways. If prime rib isn't in your budget, serve a creative chicken dish while a harpist from the local music school plays in the background.
19. Have your cake and eat it, too — Severyn says the cake should be to die for, high in fat, high in cholesterol and high in calories. You don't have to be consistent with the flavor from tier to tier either. Consider giving individual cakes to your guests as the wedding cake and their favor.
20. Favors anyone? — People love things that they get to take home with them. And over the years, favors have graduated from Jordan almonds clustered in a netted bag. How about a little glass slipper filled with candies or even lovely pieces of crystal?
