The �eception
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While a wedding ceremony is likely to be emotional and poignant, the reception should be fun, fun, fun! Regardless of where it’s held, how many people attend, or how much it costs, your wedding reception is a time to celebrate with people you care about and who care about you. It’s a time for good food, toasts, music, dancing, and being congratulated and photographed. It’s a time you will want to remember forever. A reception typically consumes about onethird of a wedding budget, meaning that it’s definitely a big deal. When planning your reception, consider all available options and remember that there are many ways you can trim costs if that is a concern. Where to Have Your Wedding Reception There are many location choices for wedding receptions within the Greater Reading Area, ranging from beautiful, outdoor settings to cozy, indoor locales. When choosing a location, consider your personal preferences, budget, and the number of people you’ll need to accommodate. Basically, there are two types of reception sites – those that charge a per person fee that includes almost everything you’ll need, and those that charge a room rental fee, with you responsible for providing almost everything else.
If you’ve got an outdoor reception in mind, check for venues that facilitate, or better yet, specialize in, outdoor events. You will need to work with a site representative who can give direction regarding what will be provided and what you’ll need to rent, such as a tent, dance floor, tables, chairs, linens, and so forth. Keep in mind that outdoor receptions, while beautiful and festive, come with some special challenges that you’ll want to thoroughly address in advance. Most popular venues for wedding receptions fill up far in advance, meaning that booking your reception is something you’ll want to do early in the planning process. You can focus on decorating and other details after you've reserved your location. After you’ve determined the type of reception you want, narrow your search to a few places. Take time to compare features and ask some questions before making a final decision. Be sure to consider the following: �
I s the location the right size for your guest list? If you’re having a large gathering, is it big enough to comfortably accommodate all your guests? If your reception is more intimate, consider if the space might be too large for your guests. You might want to consider a facility that offers a bar/lounge area away from the dining tables, giving guests who wish to do so a chance to move around and spread their wings a bit.
�eception Unless you’ve already decided on a place for your reception, you’ll want to do some research to see what’s available. If the ceremony and reception are in two different locations, most couples prefer to hold them fairly close to one another. When thinking about a location, remember to consider all the possibilities. Wedding receptions can be held in all kinds of spaces, ranging from public buildings to private homes. Locally, wedding receptions are held in museums; art centers; historic mansions, hotels, and inns; private clubs; outside groves and parks; ballrooms; restaurants; and at historic sites. Look for locations that will accommodate and enhance the style of your wedding, considering the level or formality, whether you’ll be there during the day or at night, the colors involved, and other factors.
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Greater Reading Wedding Planner
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Will there be other events at your location on the same day or at the same time? This doesn’t have to be a deal breaker,but consider the possibility that you’ll be sharing space with people from another party. If the place you’re considering will have multiple events on your wedding day, try to visit the location on a day there is more than one event there to see what it’s like before you agree to rent it. Pay attention to noise, traffic flow, and so forth.