The planning for your reception should be done way in advance of the wedding, it is much too important to leave to chance. If you have a wedding coordinator, they will be on hand to ensure your day runs smoothly.

Time can be a great issue with receptions; therefore we always recommend a minute by minute plan for the day. This ensures everything has its place and you know what to expect and when.

When putting together your minute by minute you need to give enough time for:

  • Travel time from the wedding – allowing for your guests to arrive
  • A receiving line (if you choose to have one)
  • Photographs
  • The meal – including toasts, speeches and cutting the wedding cake

If the reception is to finish at this time, you need time and a place to change before going away. Someone needs to be in charge of your clothes, wedding gifts and returning any hired items for you. Your guests can use this time to mingle and talk about the day whilst you are changing, before saying their goodbyes.

If the reception is continuing into the evening with dancing, cabaret or a casino, a short interval is usual to clear the tables, rearrange if necessary and be ready for the evening. Time is important but sometimes things do run late, due to the Bride arriving late, the service taking longer than anticipated or the photographer being over zealous – to name just a few possibilities! This is why time should always be added into your plan for contingencies.