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Marla's Advice, Cheers To You! Events
Question: My ceremony and reception will be held at the same location. What are your recommendations for an evening/night wedding?
There are several things to consider when planning a wedding. Once you have selected the dress, the vendors, the venue, and all that goes into your big day, you will want to focus on your guests’ enjoyment. Having the ceremony and reception at the same location is a wonderful idea; no one has to drive, no one will get lost going from one place to another, and your wedding day will be a continuous flow of joy and happiness.
The wedding reception is the celebration of your marriage, and your guests are invited to celebrate with you. In return, you should make sure they are comfortable and enjoy themselves throughout the course of the day.
Once you have selected the location, here are five main points you will want to consider when planning your ceremony and reception:
Weather
When your ceremony and reception are at the same location, your guests will want to dress appropriately for both the ceremony (perhaps an outdoor ceremony in the sun) and the reception (indoors/outdoors with dancing until late night). Be kind to your guests and prepare them for anything they may not be aware of. Include a note with your invitation or a footnote on your wedding website and inform guests if you are having a ceremony in the sand and if they will be walking on the beach. Let them know if you are planning an outdoor reception late at night and if they need to bring a wrap or sweater. Also, announce if it’s a black-tie event, as no one wants to stand out in a crowd by dressing inappropriately. Supply your guests with location information so that they never think, “I wish I had known ….”
Cocktail Hour
Advice #1 - Food: If you plan on having a cocktail hour after the ceremony and before the dinner reception and you are serving alcohol, make sure to have enough food so that your guests are not drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.
Advice #2 - Time: Try not to keep your guests waiting too long for you to join them while you are taking pictures. One hour is a perfect span of time for a cocktail hour.
Advice #3 - Beverages: If you prefer not to serve alcohol, then don’t. Wedding receptions do not need to include alcohol, but there must be some type of drinks available. Make sure there are plenty of drinks (alcohol or non-alcohol) available for your guests during the time that you are taking photos with family members and bridal party. Some options other than a fully stocked bar are: a station of infused fruit juices and iced teas, cappuccino station, or sparkling water and lemonade. Offer the beverages you prefer, but have plenty of water and drinks available, and don’t forget to feed your guests some snacks to pass the time during the hour. Should you have any guests that over-indulge in alcoholic beverages, make sure there are alternatives to see them safely home.
Entertainment
Having background music during the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner hour is always enjoyable. Be sure the music is not so loud that the guests can’t talk to one another or hear conversations at the table they are seated at. The music should add to the ambiance of the evening, not detract from it. You want your guests to enjoy themselves throughout the event and keeping music levels at a decent level is showing respect for your guests.
Location
The location you select will be perfect for you and your fiancé but do let your guests know how to get to the venue. Include a map, driving directions, the parking situation (if valet is available/hosted/etc.) and if there are any road closures or congestion (beach cities in the summer, snow conditions in the winter) that they may need to allocate extra time for. If the venue name is not well marked, provide a sign nearby directing guests in order to avoid confusion and delay.
Enjoy Your Day
You will put in countless hours of planning for this amazing event, and when the big day arrives, allow plenty of time to visit with your guests. Also, remember to look around you and take it all in. You will hear over and over again how quickly the day goes by, and it’s true. So, Carpe Diem; seize the moment, seize the day, and have a wonderful wedding!
Marla Lackey
Wedding & Special Event Planner
Cheers To You Events
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