Wedding Reception Types

Planning a wedding reception can be a very big undertaking. From the theme to the guest list down to the food and drinks, there are decisions to be made all along the way. One of the biggest is perhaps figuring out which of the many wedding reception types to format the event after.

The choices in wedding reception types are many. They range from such things as wedding reception cocktail parties to full sit-down events that are completely catered from the mints to the cake. Each has its advantages.

The type of reception a couple chooses will likely be influenced by such things as personal preference, the number of expected people and even available budget. While preference is a big consideration, don’t underestimate the importance of setting and sticking with a budget for the reception. If the number of guests is considered by a per head charge, even a $10 per person reception can add up fast.

The biggest decisions to make when putting together a wedding reception generally center around the food and drinks. These will, typically, be the most expensive part of the entire production. There are two main categories most wedding receptions fall into when it comes to food:

Cocktail wedding receptions: These wedding receptions can be catered or they can include food that’s homemade by friends and family. Generally offering only finger foods and snacks, these affairs can be rather elaborate, but tend to cost a great deal less than those that offer full sit down meals. There’s nothing wrong with cocktail wedding receptions, in fact, they can be pretty posh. It’s all in the planning and the culinary abilities in question.

Wedding caterers: While these can be used even in the case of cocktail wedding receptions, most people choose to go all out with caterers when a sit-down meal is planned. This is one of the more costly options, but it does take a lot of pressure off the people planning the wedding. Wedding caterers will generally take responsibility for everything from the dining area set up to doing the dishes at the end.

Beyond the food options, another big question that tends to pop up about receptions is whether to hold an open bar vs. cash bar. Both are pretty standard practices at wedding receptions, but the choice on how to handle it will be up to the couple. The open bar option at wedding receptions can be very costly, especially if there are a lot of guests. Cash bars are more than acceptable. It’s still a good idea to offer the toast drinks gratis, however.

Wedding reception types can vary from afternoon lunches to formal evening affairs. Ultimately, the choices made will center on personal preference and budgeting constraints. Any decision, however, can be a good one if it’s handled well.