Tag: reception

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Breaking wedding traditions: How to throw a fantastic wedding reception brunch

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More and more couples are opting for wedding receptions in the morning, in place of the traditional evening affair for various reasons. Choosing brunch instead of dinner can considerably lower the catering and venue expenses. Or it could be so they want a unique wedding twist, or even so that they can set off on their honeymoon early and enjoy more time together.

Whatever be the reason, reception brunches work well when planned and executed properly. In fact, wedding reception brunches are convenient, and your guests will enjoy the function.

Here is a quick and easy guide to getting the little details for your wedding reception brunch perfect.

Keep the atmosphere friendly instead of formal

Unlike the formal plated dinner, brunches have a casual air. This allows you to have a more intimate gathering and enjoy quality time with your guests. The ideal location for a wedding brunch is outdoors, so plan your seating to utilize the beauty of the natural setting. Outdoor wedding brunches are ideal in spring or fall, when the weather is pleasant and the beautiful landscape adds a natural charm to your wedding. Plan the décor so it works well in natural lighting, and add elements like fresh flowers or vividly colored balloons that are casual, yet colorful.

Winter brides can also benefit from reception brunches, as the evenings are usually dark and depressing and daytime is more refreshing. Consider warming up your venue with a log fire and decorating with holly and mistletoe. Add to this, an enchanting white backdrop, and you will have a fairytale wedding to remind your guests of your lifetime event.

Plan your food choices wisely

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A formal food service may seem out of place during the day. Opt for an interesting buffet instead. Include food choices that allow your guests to eat well, but not feel weighed down. The platter should include both breakfast and lunch-style dishes, so your guests can have their pick. Choose food that is great for late morning or early afternoon. Frittatas, cheeses, pancakes, pasta and sandwiches are good choices. You could also add a few exotic dishes like dimsums or chicken curry for a pleasant variation. Omelet and pancake stations, or s’more bars would be well-received and also add some action.

Don’t skip wedding cake or drinks

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Just because you are getting married in the morning, you needn’t skip the wedding cake. Choose a light flavor like lemon or vanilla, and keep it fresh and welcoming with white frosting. Or you could replace the wedding cake with wedding cake cupcakes in multiple flavors instead. Since the portions are small, your guests will be tempted to try it. You could also get creative with a dessert buffet, and give your guests a variety of treats to choose from.

For drinks consider refreshing and lighter choices like cocktails, white wine, fruit juices, scented teas and fruit smoothies. If the weather is warm, fizzy drinks infused with lemon or ginger, or yogurt smoothies would be nice.

Doesn’t all this sound romantic? If you are smitten by this idea of wedding reception brunches, go ahead with it. Don’t forget to get the perfect wedding dress for the occasion; visit us at Best for Bride to do so.

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Wedding Reception Photo Booth Alternatives


While photo booths remain popular for wedding receptions, many couples are seeking fun and cheaper photo booth alternatives. Before paying photo booth rental fees, consider these ideas for reception photos. These wedding reception photo ideas are much more enjoyable, personal, and useful than posing for a string of photo booth shots.

Include a white board and dry erase markers in an area for guest photos. Invite them to write a sign to be used at the background for their photos. Guests can write the date, the newlywed’s names, or location. Some couples get into writing goofy signs.

A fun twist on this idea is to have two thought bubble signs with dry erase or chalkboard paint surface. Chalkboard paint makes it easy to have a sign cut from wood and turned into a chalkboard. You may want to use a surface preparing paint depending on what is used to make the sign. Chalkboard paint requires a specific drying time before use such as seven days. Be sure to follow the directions and allow the appropriate time.

Instead of a booth, some couples create a white frame reminiscent of Polaroid photos. It can be a simple white board with a large square cutout. The white frame should be slightly larger at the bottom. The frame can be suspended from the ceiling. Guests stand behind the frame for their photos. On the bottom section of the white frame is the perfect place to put the newlywed’s names and date.

Text is commonly used for space in art and even on clothing. You can use this same style for your wedding photo booth. If you want a unique backdrop for guest photos without breaking the budget, make a backdrop by writing the lyrics to a love song or poem on white paper. One couple took a roll of white paper and wrote a sonnet by Pablo Neruda followed by another love poem in black ink. The one poem served as a backdrop while the other lay on the floor for the newlyweds and guests to stand on for a great photo.

A great alternative to photo booths is to hire a caricaturist. The caricature artist can make sketches of the guests that sit before them. Instead of a string of useless tiny photos, the guests receive an artistic rendering of themselves. If you don’t want the comical caricature style, you can hire a portrait artist working in a medium like charcoal to create more realistic sketches.

One couple set up a wonderful photo area with family mementos, an old desk, antiques, and a sign with the names of the newlyweds. Guests could use some of the items as props if they choose. The photo setting can reflect the theme of the wedding as well as the personalities of the couple.

For more ideas for your wedding day, visit the Best for Bride blog. There you will find many fun and new ideas for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

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Wedding For Two [2024]: Planning a Perfect Wedding For Just The Bride And Groom

Wedding For Two: Planning a Perfect Wedding For Just The Bride And Groom

We have seen both big weddings and small weddings. Then there are couples who choose to elope and get married without anyone in tow. While budget constraints are one reason for couples to choose this path, there are also others who cannot tolerate the stress of wedding planning. Nevertheless, eloping or having a courtroom wedding may not give you the satisfaction of a proper wedding. After all, a wedding is a big event in your lifetime and you deserve to feel great. I think this is what brought around the trend of “Just Us” weddings, where only the bride and groom participate in the wedding ceremony. Some couples choose to host a small intimate reception with their best friends and close family afterwards, but there are also others who leave it out. Similarly, when organizing a virtual baby shower, there is a certain etiquette that hosts tend to follow but what’s most important are the parents-to-be’s wishes, in this case, it would be the bride and groom’s preferences.

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Wedding venue checklist: Tips to help you recognize if the site is right for you

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When you look for your wedding venue, it is often difficult to ascertain whether a site is right without seeing it all decked up. To make the right choice, you should have a fair idea of what you want it to do, and how it can be transformed to suit your wedding plan. For many couples, this may be the first time they are hosting any event on this scale, and so it can be very confusing.

To help you do it right, here is a checklist of the various factors the site must have.

Fits your budget

Set aside a realistic amount for the venue charges. If you are getting married in a church or house of worship, you will also have to factor in the donation for using the space.

Look at places where the rent is within your budget. Ask about any other charges or overheads in addition to the rent, so you know whether you can afford it. Also ask if the package includes services like an on-site co-ordinator or staff for serving cake and wine, or whether you will have to pay separately for these services.

Practicality of the venue

The location should be easy to access and your guests shouldn’t have trouble getting there. It would be best if both the ceremony and the reception venues were nearby or in the same location. This will be most comfortable, but if it is not possible, consider arranging transportation between the venues. See if you can have parking at the first venue and make transport arrangements to the reception.

The size is right

Look at the maximum number of people the site can hold. Don’t forget to accommodate for your band, musicians, buffet table and aisle when determining the maximum capacity. Only then will you get a clear picture of whether all your guests will fit comfortably in the space. If it is a small wedding, avoid a big venue. Being mostly empty will reduce the overall impact.

The rates for using it overtime

Venues are either charged by the hour, or for a certain slot of time. Ask about the extra charges you will have to pay if you wish to access the venue for a few extra hours, before or after the ceremony. Also ask for their rates if your wedding party extends late into the night.

Provision for disabled access

Check whether the venue allows for disabled access. It is likely that there will be older guests in your wedding party. The availability of washrooms on the ground floor would be convenient for them. Also, are there any outdoor seating arrangements that your wedding guests can use, if they have to wait before entering the venue?

Don’t forget to consider the practicality of the venue for the wedding look you have in mind. It wouldn’t be fun negotiating your way up and down a staircase, if you have chosen a mermaid-style wedding dress or a heavily layered one. So choose accordingly.

The more boxes you tick off this checklist, the better suited a venue will be for your wedding. For more wedding tips and ideas, keep visiting us at Best for Bride.