What Type of Wedding Reception Will Suit Your Budget?

Couples are trying to find ways to save money these days. That is why that there are so many wedding reception options! Occurring morning, noon, and night - - here are many types of receptions that will work with any budget!

Are you a morning person? Did you know that morning receptions were a wedding tradition, during the Victorian period? Yes, even Queen Victoria had a morning reception! Morning receptions are not only fit for a queen, it will also be a great fit for any pauper's purse. Why? Well, breakfast menu items are less expensive and your guests will be apt to drink less alcohol. What are the cons on having an early event? If you want a lively celebration, a morning or brunch might not be for you. As a wedding professional, I found that as the day progresses, the livelier the party becomes. Of course, you could always continue your party elsewhere, after your morning reception - - maybe your honeymoon?

If you want a nicer brunch, you might offer food stations and signature cocktails. For example: Bloody Mary's, Screw Drivers, and Mimosas are always morning favorites. Present your guests with many choices such as: omelet, meat carving, salad, hors d'œuvre, dessert, and other specialty stations. This will sure please any picky eater! Even though this is a day event, your budget will reflect on what and how much you offer, at these stations. What to keep your costs down? Cut down on the high end menu items and limit the amount of food you offer your guests!

Have your heart set on a sit down dinner and your budget won't allow it? Compromise! Have a sit down lunch! Again, lunch items are less expensive in comparison to a full sit down dinner. Food portions might be smaller than a dinner; however, people aren't as hungry, during the afternoon. Especially during the summer! However, this does depend on what menu options you offer your guests. Chicken is less expensive than a steak or fish lunch! Worried that your alcohol bill will be higher than your food bill? Well, guests tend to drink less, during the afternoon! However, still worried because you are inviting a lot of drinkers? There are many different options to put a cap on your bar bill! Sit down with your coordinator, before your wedding, to discuss the many different options. If you don't want to serve alcohol, it is perfectly okay! Offer your guests soda, coffee, decaf coffee, hot tea, lemonade, and iced tea. What are the cons for an afternoon reception? Again, people aren't ready to get up and party as they would during the evening! However, you have the evening free to keep celebrating.

Want a unique afternoon affair? Have an afternoon tea! Again, menu items are less expensive. However, if you are worried that your guests will go home hungry, you can always offer English inspired entrees, such as Sheppard's Pie. Want to reduce the amount of alcohol at your event? Offer signature drinks such as ale and/or Long Island Iced Tea. Speaking of signature drinks - - offering such drinks will make a stuffy tea into a more relaxed affair. If anything - - the guys will thank you!

The less expensive event is a wedding cake and champagne, and/or punch reception. The rule of thumb, when coordinating a wedding reception - - the guests tend to leave after the cake is cut. So, don't expect your guests to stay very long, if you choose this option! However, you could always have a family dinner or go out with your friends to a popular night spot, to continue your celebration. On a positive note you won't have to pay for an additional room or reception fee! After the ceremony, I recommend having your cake and beverage set up in a room right next to the ceremony. Guests are not going to travel to another site just for cake and champagne!

A controversial option is a potluck reception! This type of event is when you ask your guests to bring a dish with them to your party. Some couples are uncomfortable asking their guests to bring a gift and entrée to their reception. However, if you have your guests bring an entrée in lieu of a gift, it should be fine! If you want to make this a fun event, you can suggest that your guest write out their recipe on a recipe card, for your recipe book! That way you will have grandma's famous apple pie recipe! This type of event works well with a very small and intimate gathering of very close family and friends. Also, this reception option tends to be very casual. If you want a formal event, this option is not for you! Most importantly, you need someone who is very organized! I recommend picking someone to coordinate who brings what, quantities of food, how the food is stored, and how the food and/or dish will go home with your guests.

Another unique option is a cocktail service reception. With the popular lounge set up and gourmet hors d'œuvres, cocktail receptions are becoming the rage! This event will help allow your guests to mingle. However, keep in mind, there would be more people talking than dancing! Yes, you could save money on this event. However, when budgeting, you will need more money budgeted for the bar instead of the food. Your guests will be more apt to drink at this type of affair! Also, your food costs will be determined on what you pick as hors d'œuvres. Sushi or shrimp cocktail is going to cost you more than chicken skewers! If you want to keep your costs down, your coordinator can control how much and when to serve food to your guests. If you have a very hungry group, this type of service won't work! I highly suggest setting up hors d'œuvre tables as well as passing around trays for this service to work, especially with large parties. There are many ways to control the bar as well! My favorite is offering your guests several signature drink options. Make it fun! Offer martinis that fit your wedding theme and/or color scheme!

The most popular option is a sit down dinner. This could be a pricier option. Why? It is the most popular time a couple could book their wedding reception! And the result of this popularity, the chef increases the prices on the banquet menu. Also, certain items cost more to make. For example, a filet mignon and lobster tail dinner is going to be more expensive than a simple chicken dinner. When you have an evening event, you might have additional costs. Why? By the time your guests arrive at the reception site, they are going to be hungry. I highly suggest you have a cocktail hour, with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, to tie your guests over until dinner. On a positive note - - your guests will come ready to party!

Other options are food stations and a buffet dinner. Often the public believes that these options are less expensive and affords their guests more selections and food. This is not completely correct! From my experience, because you are offering more options and food, it could be a little more expensive than a sit down meal. Also, some facilities won't allow you to take home leftovers because of liability reasons. So, you are paying for food that is not consumed! Ask your coordinator about their food leftover policy, before picking this option! And most importantly, if you are inviting elderly and young children to your celebration, a buffet line is very inconvenient! What are the pros? Well, you guests will have a lot of wonderful food options! This will insure everyone is happy and well feed!

Now you know your options! Now you have to ask yourself: What type of reception fits my needs, style, and budget? Regardless of when you have your reception, you will always have pros and cons. You just have to pick an option that will work for you and your fiancée. After all, when all is said and done, the most important thing is your marriage! Congratulations!

Sources:
Nina Callaway, "What Type of Wedding Reception is Right For You?," www.about.com