Being disc jockeys, we get the opportunity to evaluate many reception facilities while having little or no bias to "sell" one location over another. Most Brides and Grooms know where they will be holding the ceremony before they decide where to have the reception, so we have compiled five observations that can help you when selecting your venue.
Distance - If people have to drive a long way to get from the ceremony to the reception, some will get distracted or decide to do something else. Try to keep the reception within a 15 to 30 minute drive of your ceremony. If it is not possible to get a reception hall close to your ceremony, make a caravan. Have the Bride and Groom lead the parade, and people will follow you to your reception.
Time ? Time is just like the distance issue. If your reception is several hours after the ceremony, people will get busy doing other things and not show up for the reception. Try to start the reception within an hour or two of the ceremony. If you don't want to start your wedding dance at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, have a Meet and Greet mixer before your reception. Serve some punch and get people to mingle. This will be one of the few times that both families will be together. Encourage family members to share stories about your childhoods.
Size - People like their personal space, and they have most likely spent an hour packed into a church for your ceremony. If you let them spread out, they will enjoy themselves more. Make sure your reception hall has plenty of room for your guests. The people renting the location might tell you it holds 200 people, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will hold 200 people comfortably! Make sure to visit the venue before booking.
Climate Control - Having a summer wedding? Is your reception hall air conditioned? If people sweat while just sitting, they won't dance. On the flip side, if they are cold they won't dance either (who wants to dance in a parka?). Also make sure you know who has control of the thermostat so the temperature can be adjusted if needed. Chances are your reception will be warm and stuffy while all the guest are there, but as they trickle out during the night the room will begin to cool down.
Smoking - This is a hot button issue, but if your reception hall is non-smoking, you can fully expect smoker's to leave your reception for 15-30 minutes every hour. If enough of them leave the reception area, you may find a large percentage of your guest just hanging out in the smoking area. This can be a big problem if you have many smokers in your wedding party. You don't have to allow smoking, but it is something you should consider, especially if anyone has any health problems like asthma or allergies that could be triggered by smoke. If you decide not to allow smoking in the reception area, how close is the nearest place for a smoker to go? Is it close enough that you will be able to get needed wedding party members during events like the bouquet toss or garter auction?
Facility coordinators will no doubt bring up several other factors for you to consider when you interview them for your booking, but these are often missed items, especially if they don't favor the potential venue. If you keep the overall picture in mind and work with your wedding planner or event coordinator on the decorating ideas, you will no doubt have an enjoyable and memorable wedding reception.
About the Authors: Tim & Tammy Smith operate by request dj & karaoke company, located in Fargo, North Dakota. They have been providing entertainment for wedding receptions since 1994 and belong to several professional disc jockey organizations.
This article may be reprinted without permission providing all URLs are live links only minor editorial changes are made. Please send an email to by request dj & karaoke company with the name (and url if the resource is on the web) of the publication.
premium house cleaning Bannockburn ..While you may be headed to Las Vegas for a... Read More
As a youngster -- or perhaps even as an adult... Read More
There are many places to shop for elegant mother of... Read More
You've been invited to the bridal shower ? what fun!... Read More
For many centuries wedding favors have been a part of... Read More
For some couples, jetting off to their dream location would... Read More
India is a diverse, multi-cultural country with people of various... Read More
After choosing the design for your wedding invitations you can... Read More
Dear Friends of Marriage,There is a lot of talk on... Read More
To keep romance alive and nurture the intimacy in your... Read More
Once you've mortgaged the rest of your life for the... Read More
The groom traditionally plans the honeymoon. However, most brides prefer... Read More
You're well into planning your wedding and have finally decided... Read More
Perhaps the single most important thing that must be accomplished... Read More
How do you react if your spouse announces "I want... Read More
Are you in the process of planning that last special... Read More
More Americans are taking "til death do us part" seriously.... Read More
Brides are looking for different ways to make their wedding... Read More
We've all been through times in our lives when it... Read More
It's important that your makeup look its absolute best for... Read More
What best way can a bride think of rising to... Read More
There's no way to absolutely guarantee that your marriage won't... Read More
You've made the plunge, you've decided to get married. Congratulations!Don't... Read More
AttendantsAttendants, include the best man, Bridesmaid, ushers, and groomsmen. Generally... Read More
One of the most elegant rituals you can choose for... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, Jewish wedding rings play... Read More
The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and... Read More
Strange as it may seem the use of a wedding... Read More
If there are wedding bells in your future, then surely... Read More
This is intended as a guide to help you plan... Read More
When planning your wedding, what type of entertainment are you... Read More
The tempo of the music begins to rise. Drums begin... Read More
If your wedding or party is being held in a... Read More
An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
If you're looking to the internet for help with your... Read More
There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The... Read More
With so much to do, every bride needs a surefire... Read More
Just the thought of all the expenses that come with... Read More
There are many choices available when shopping for fine plus... Read More
Planning a bridal shower? Maybe a dear friend or even... Read More
Many wives cheat on their husbands. This could be due... Read More
Your wedding flowers cover all button holes, all the bouquets,... Read More
That first wedding was a dream, a gorgeous long white... Read More
Just as destination weddings are fast growing in popularity, so... Read More
The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating (or... Read More
Choosing a wedding anniversary gift that wows your husband or... Read More
Going to Italy on a honeymoon vacation could be the... Read More
Marriage is a wonderful thing, but planning the wedding is... Read More
Is the cost of your wedding putting the honeymoon of... Read More
The more realistic you are as you prepare for marriage,... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |