Your reception is going to be as unique as you are. There are no set rules as to what you have to have at a reception anymore. But some brides like to take a peek at what is considered traditional and then go from there.
Traditional brides will have a set of place cards that indicate the guest’s name and the table that person will be seated at. This can take the form of a simple folded piece of card stock, or you can go creative and use place card frames that indicates the person’s name and table number but is also a take home favor. That solves the wedding favor and the place card issue all at once! There are many other ways to cleverly do a place card/favor. You can get some great ideas online.
You’ll want to choose one of many cake serving sets out there. Most brides have a cake plate, knife and cake server done in either porcelain or sterling or another motif that matches the wedding. You can purchase these sets where you register for china and also online at wedding retailers. There’s no end to the types you can find. Or you might choose to use a family heirloom that’s been passed down through the generations and is special.
And for the cake, wedding cake toppers are as varied as the brides who choose them. Gone are the formal, stiff, badly painted figures of long ago (although the good vintage ones can be very fun to use). Today’s brides are using jewels, flowers, porcelain, glass, and hand-sculpted figures to show who they really are. If you and your husband have certain hobbies and likes, you can include them on the cake topper. Browse the many styles online and you will find that just about every hobby is represented. And don’t settle for what’s available in cake shops. Go out on a hunt to find the very best wedding topper for you and your groom specifically.
Another wedding reception must-have are toasting glasses. These are traditionally a set of two champagne flutes. But you can use anything you like. Have a friend who paints do a decorative set for you or try glass etching with a kit from a craft store. They need not be expensive, but you will probably want to save them, so they should be nice. They are available with cute heart shaped bottoms and other wedding motifs online.
There are several extras you can add to your wedding including printed and personalized cocktail napkins. You can have these printed in bulk where you have your stationery printed. You may also opt for decorations that include a floor decal that sits on the dance floor and has your personalized message. Later, you can take it home as a memento of the day. There are also personalized lighting gels you can order that the venue can attach to one of their spotlights. It will project your names and monogram or any message you like behind the head table or onto the dance floor. It makes a really unique and elegant way to dress up the reception.
Of course, you will want to add your own touches. A special guest book and pen, any car decorations or decorations for the reception tables are also part of the reception decor so you should budget for them as well. Be sure that you account for these in your initial budget so that these don't sneak up on you and cause you to stress out.
For more inspiration, visit this article about Wedding Reception Accessories.
