Make Your Wedding Reception More Memorable

It’s the longest part of your big day, so why not make it memorable? Spice up your bridal reception with one or several of the following ideas.

Candy Buffet
This growing trend will add fun and color to your bridal reception. Choose 5-10 different types of candy and display them in glass containers on a large table after dinner. Contrasting containers will give your display depth, especially if you use varying shapes, sizes and colors. Enhance your wedding color scheme and choose candy that matches.

Make It Intimate
Designate an area of your bridal reception for lounging and conversation; this will relax your guests and make it more intimate. Rent couches and large comfy chairs and create an area just for guests to repose. Think swanky hotel lounge. Go the extra mile and hire cocktail waitresses for the lounge. You could give it a club vibe by dimming the lights in the lounge area. Make it like a living room by adding lamps and a rug.

Lighting
Create memorable moods with unique lighting choices at your bridal reception. Use different colors for each portion of the evening; this will not only affect your guest’s senses but will also communicate that the evening is progressing. For example, during the drinks and appetizer session, feature dimmed white lighting, and once they move into the dining room for dinner, change the lighting to greens and blues. When it’s time to hit the dance floor, turn on red lights to enhance a sultry vibe. Another option is to have you and your husband’s names monogrammed in lights either on a wall of the ballroom or on the dance floor.

Espresso Bar
Ready for a tasty treat that will keep your guests awake and shaking what their mothers gave ‘em? Position it in a corner of the ballroom, or just outside the dancing area. A fantastic way to recharge and socialize, espresso drinks are also a convenient option for non-drinkers.

Hire Impersonators
Impersonators are rare at wedding receptions, which is why you must hire one! In between the father-daughter dance and the best-man speech, have either an Elvis, Madonna or Michael Jackson impersonator take the spotlight on the dance floor. Unique wedding reception ideas like this will bring up the entertainment meter quite a few notches and give your guests something to talk about for years to come.

Unique Theme
Make your bridal reception memorable with a theme that’s not overdone. Choose from the following unique wedding reception ideas:

• Greek Mystique: Pick blue and white colors to go with Greek hors d’oeuvres and entrée choices and Greek music and entertainment.
• Posh Party: Have an ultra hip bridal reception from beginning to end—serve customized martinis and exotic hors d’oeuvres and hire a known electronic club deejay.
• Pure Elegance: This theme is exemplified by red-rose centerpieces, formal yet comfortable dining room chairs and traditionally exquisite entrees of fillet mignon and Chilean sea bass.
• Garden Party: Hold your bridal reception in a garden! Go all the way and have a tea-party theme, which includes small sandwiches as hor d'ourvres, miniature-cookie table, a large variety of teas and of course champagne.
• Snow White: All white = unforgettable. White exudes a classy, timeless, pure sentiment.

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