could do the whole thing cheaper yourself and families often get together to organise a wedding reception.


What has to be borne in mind here is the location of the event. If the bride wants to have the reception in her old home, the number of guests will be strictly limited.


Pictures courtesy of www.alchemy-stitchcraft.co.uk


The reception common is the reception.


One thing virtually all weddings have in


It may be a small, intimate drink at a local pub with just the bride and groom, their immediate family and friends present, or it may be a huge, social occasion held in some grand and formal location with dozens of guests, vast quantities of food and drink, and an army of waiting staff presiding.


Whatever it is, it will need some degree of planning just to make sure everything follows through smoothly.


First it is sensible, as soon as the wedding date and ceremony are fixed, to come to some decision about the reception.


For a start, how much should it cost? It is essential to set a budget limit on the reception or things could run away with themselves.


It is a good plan therefore to tour round the local catering establishments and ask to see their wedding tariffs. These will give a range of reception menus priced out at a cost per head. As long as you know how many guests you are going to invite, you can estimate the final cost.


Of course you may feel you 8


An alternative might be to hire a local hall, but unless it has cooking or serving facilities, it can be very awkward.


A further solution might to be hire a marquee to be erected in the parental home’s garden and to hold the event there. It would certainly be nearer to the family kitchen!


Having a reception at home does present some problems of its own quite apart from the matter of supplying and serving food.


Toilet facilities for example can cause considerable discomfort if they are inadequate.


Parking can be another problem. If all the guests turn up in their own cars, neighbours may find access to their own homes somewhat blocked. There could be a late night problem of vehicular noise too when guests finally leave.


Noise in general could cause problems especially if the reception includes music, dancing, etc.


Finally at the end of the day, there is still a great deal of clearing up to do which could spoil the whole event for the bride’s mother.


There is a compromise of course that would allow the reception to be held in a hall or marquee, and that is by having an outside caterer provide the reception.


The Wedding - autumn 2012


This takes the burden off the shoulders of the bride’s mother yet gives the illusion and freedom of self- catering. Outside caterers too will often be able to organise the hire of all the extra tableware, linen, etc., that is required for the event, so it is an alternative worth considering.


Of course for ease of arranging and the ultimate in comfort, the reception suite in a local hotel or catering establishment will take a great deal of beating.


After all, they are geared to providing food, service and attention on a grand scale. And you can be sure that in such an establishment there will be no space, toilet, parking or noise problems.


The thing to remember here is, if it is a popular location, book early, as soon as the wedding date is fixed, preferably, because popular locations tend to get booked up fast and a long way in advance.


Once you have decided where the reception is to be held, the type of reception must be decided upon. Will it be a formal, sit-down affair? Will it be a buffet? Would a Champagne reception be the thing?


It all depends on your own preferences and the guests you invite, though generally speaking, buffets do represent excellent value for money and allow everyone to have more or less what they want in the quantities in which they want it.


The idea of a buffet of course, is that everyone helps themselves, and then circulate, eating as they go. This may sound a simple concept but it is surprisingly sophisticated for some people.


Many guests may wish to sit down to eat their plates-


full, so do make sure there are sufficient tables and chairs for those who prefer to sit.


Tables and chairs for any younger guests are also a source of sanity for all concerned. There is nothing worse than a bunch of over- excited children thundering around with food and drink in their hands. And this is where the hotel location can score well because they will usually be able to provide highchairs for the very young guests, so relieving their parents of the constant burden of carrying them around.


Alcoholic drinks you serve at the reception can be as much or as little as you want or can afford.


Some wedding reception tariffs cover a welcoming glass of sherry for arriving guests and a glass of something fizzy to speed the happy couple on their way. In between, the guests may buy their own drinks at the bar or order wines from the waiting staff. This provides the right degree of hospitality but prevents abuse some guests will make of an unlimited ‘open bar’.


On the other hand, you may wish to place wines on the table for the meal. If you do, make sure there are both red and white, and see to it that the caterers also provide mineral water for those driving or who prefer to drink this with their meals.


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