There are many different places to have your wedding reception. The first thing you should consider is your budget. The next thing to look consider is the location. Is the venue close to where you are getting married? Are you getting married at the same venue? How much time will there be time between the wedding ceremony and the reception? Will your guest be able to go there and wait?
Where to Have your Wedding Reception
What Kind of Wedding Reception Do You Want?
Do you want an outdoor reception? If so, you would need to consider the weather. If it is a spring or fall wedding will your venue accommodate you if it rains or it is too cold and you need to move it inside? Will the food and drink options you choose for your menu be able to withstand the outside elements? Will your guests be comfortable? And, what kind of décor will you use during the reception? All of these questions are important to consider before choosing what kind of wedding reception you would like to have.
An indoor reception will give you more freedom with the decorations and food options are endless. Decorations can be simple. For example, you may use what the venue has to offer or go all out and hire a decorator to come in and make your venue look like something out of a fairytale.
Wedding Reception Venues & Ideas
All-Inclusive Wedding Reception
Doing a reception at an all-inclusive venue is a great option for couples. At an all-inclusive venue, the venue will handle the food, bar, wedding cake, and also DJ. Opt for a buffet style or a sit-down dinner with your friends and family in attendance. The only thing you need to worry about is your décor, choosing what food you would like to include on the menu and any extras you want to add.
DIY Wedding Reception
Renting a hall or a unique wedding venue and DIYing the night can be just as beautiful of a way to celebrate your big day. This option allows you to make the venue completely your own. Choose to decorate the venue as simply as you want, and make the event space just as pretty just at a lower cost.
Consider catering food in from your favorite restaurant or have family members cook their favorite dishes. Some couples even opt to hot a fish fry with fries and all the delicious fixings. When you choose to DIY your wedding reception, you can choose from a variety of options to make your special day amazing.
Winery Wedding Reception
Having your reception at a winery during the early spring or fall months is also a great idea and can make for a spectacular backdrop. Make your guest list as small or large as you want, cater a big meal, or give guests the option to enjoy some cheese and crackers and other light snacks.
Backyard Wedding Reception
Using a backyard for a small wedding ceremony and reception can create an intimate setting. Invite close family members and special friends for this momentous day. Have a table set up for guests to make their own drink, and choose from homemade food options or even cater in from your favorite local BBQ restaurant.
Barn Wedding Reception
If you are a country boy and girl, you might want to look into barn options for your wedding reception. Find a place with horses, chickens, and goats in the background and capture fun wedding pictures with your spouse, friends, and family members. Have the wedding party wear cowboy boots and blue jeans. For a special touch, add rustic centerpieces with wildflowers.
Beach Wedding Reception
Are you and your spouse beach bums? Consider having a beach wedding ceremony and reception. There are many places along the ocean for a beautiful shoe-free party on the beach. Include tropical specialty drinks, maybe a luau with a pig roast and some passion fruit and pineapple for guests to enjoy. Add some flair to the tables with beautiful exotic flowers as a centerpiece.
Breakfast Wedding Reception
Contact a local breakfast place and ask about hosting your wedding reception. Customize cute condiment centerpieces that your guest can also use, like jelly, syrup, and butter. Who wouldn’t love an early morning wedding ceremony followed by a hot breakfast to follow?
Which Option is Best for You and Your Partner?
There are so many different places and ideas you can choose from for your wedding reception. Our best advice is to make it your own! Make all the decisions early so you can lock in all of the details to make your big day perfect. Choosing the venue should be one of the first things to figure out. Once you have the venue locked down, then you can start planning the finer details of your wedding day.
Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO
At Andre’s, we are a full-service catering company. We provide the meal, 4-hour open bar, china dinnerware, linen tablecloths, chair covers, the personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop-shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre’s coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless!
Contact us today for any questions or reservations.