Simple Wedding Reception Ideas

Wedding receptions are always joyous occasions having a lively and party atmosphere all around them. They are an occasion when everyone including the bridal couple, family, friends, relatives and guests are in a mood to celebrate the beginning of a new journey for the wedded couple. Wedding ceremonies tend to have a quiet and serious atmosphere around them, whereas wedding receptions are anything but quiet. There is music, dance, toasts, jokes, laughter... it has all the ingredients of a really enjoyable evening indeed. On that note, here are some simple wedding reception ideas which will ensure that your wedding reception is an event that remains etched in everyone's memory forever.

Simple Wedding Reception Ideas
Suggested below are a few wedding reception ideas that are suitable for all types of budgets and locations:

• Think of Home: Many people prefer to have their wedding receptions in upscale locations like swanky hotels, private clubs, etc. However, not everyone can afford to have their wedding reception at the Ritz, can they? For those having a moderate spending limit, having your reception in your home itself could be a very viable option. You end up saving on the rent of an outdoor venue and you can utilize this amount towards the wedding decoration, food, entertainment, etc. Possible reception venues could be your lawn, backyard or even your neighborhood park. You could also consider having your reception in the church lawns, right after the ceremonial proceedings.
• Reception Decor: You can have the best of reception decors at very affordable prices if you optimize your resources and be smart in your thinking. Skip the fancy branded decor that is advertised in the newspapers and on billboards. In most cases, it happens to be over-priced and is really not worth the moolah that you will end up spending. Instead, it is better that you go with your creative instincts and come up with ideas of your own. First and foremost, pick a nice wedding theme and then you can focus your ideas around it. This will give a sense of direction to your wedding planning activities and it will prevent you from going off track with your ideas. Flowers are an integral part of wedding decor and should be on your list regardless of what theme you choose. If you are planning to have a walkway at the entrance of the reception venue, you can decorate it with a mix of wedding flowers such as roses, lilies, carnations and tulips. Pay special attention to the wedding centerpiece and the cake table. They should stand-out from the rest, so go about decorating them appropriately.
• Seating: You should prepare a rough sketch of how you wish to arrange the tables and chairs as part of the seating arrangement. Assign fixed seating places to each and every guest and prepare chits accordingly. Double-check to make sure that you haven't left anyone out, or else it could lead to considerable confusion which may dampen the spirit of the occasion. Place all the individual guest chits in a tray and place the tray near the walkway so that it is easily identifiable for all the guests.
• Entertainment: Wedding receptions are incomplete without song, dance and the traditional wedding music. You can hire a local band to play some live music at the reception. Make sure the song-list has a good blend of old, new, slow and fast numbers which will entertain guests of all ages. Have the band play the couple's favorite love song during their traditional first dance.
• Food: Choose your banquet menu wisely, while ensuring that it compliments your wedding theme and doesn't burn a hole in your pocket. Go easy on the alcohol and all the exotic stuff if you are on a tight wedding budget. However, do keep aside a few bottles of champagne for the wedding toast. Select a nice wedding cake, try not to compromise on that front. The wedding cake is something that is always remembered by one and all, so try your best to make that memory a good one.

These were some simple wedding reception ideas which can be easily implemented without too much fuss. You can always add to them while taking into consideration your resources in the form of time and money. Have a happy married life!