Wedding Reception Setup
It is helpful if you can get a floor
plan of the place of your wedding
reception ahead of time, or if you make your
own with measurements of the premises. With a floor plan
you can plan ahead on how you want things to be set up and decorated
at the wedding reception. Make note of the locations
of the electrical outlets, windows, doors, kitchen, stage, bathrooms,
bar, light switches, and ceiling fans. When you’re checking
the facilities out don't forget to checkout the bathrooms for
the condition and upkeep. Make sure the bathrooms are large enough
for your wedding party to use to freshen up before
the wedding reception and also
to accommodate the number of wedding guests you
are expecting. See our Questions
for the Place of Wedding Reception for
things to ask when choosing your place of reception.
Don't underestimate the importance of lighting throughout the
place of wedding reception. It really sets the
mood and helps to highlight focal points in the room such as the
wedding cake location. You may wish to dim the
lights enough to get a romantic atmosphere but make sure to keep
them bright enough for things to function well, especially during
the dance.
If you are setting up the
wedding reception and/or place
of ceremony, make up a container to take with you. Include: Duct
tape, scotch tape, masking tape, 
string,
ribbon, extension cords, safety pins, glue gun with extra glue,
plastic ties, ribbon, wash cloth, all purpose cleaner, paper towels,
a measuring tape, flame starter, marker, hammer and trash bags.
This way the setup won't be delayed while someone goes for duct.
Always make sure extension cords on the floor are taped down so
that no one knocks things over or worse yet, someone gets hurt.
Wedding
Reception Tables
There’s several tables that you may need to be set up and
decorated at the wedding reception including
the guests’ tables, cake table, caterer’s table, buffet,
dessert table, music table for disc jockey, guests’ sign
in table, bar, gift table and head table. When you have the tables
set up and decorated, place a note on each of the wedding
vendors’ tables to identify where they need to set up incase
you’re not there or your busy when they arrive to the wedding
reception. You should also decorate the tables very similarly.
It's important when setting
up your tables for the wedding reception, that
you take into consideration that all your wedding
guests will need to be able to see the head table during the wedding
reception. Some couples choose to place their head table
up on a stage so all their wedding guests can have a great view
the wedding party. Don't forget the layout of
the place of reception must also allow for any
band or disc jockey at the wedding reception
to set up and/or perform. Sometimes it is just better if you work
with the design and setup of the tables on the same level. Also
remember that you need enough room for wedding
guests' chairs to be back to back plus room for people to comfortably
walk between the chairs when someone is setting in each chair.
Cleanup
After the Wedding Reception
Have someone
who is organized be in charge of the wedding
reception cleanup. Give them detailed written
instructions of what goes where and who's responsible for what.
Give them the instructions before the wedding.
You may also want to have a copy at the place of reception
incase they forget their copy at home. There is a lot involved
with organizing a wedding; however, a lot of
people underestimate the work involved after the event. Being
informed and organized will help the cleanup and returns go more
smoothly.
