Planning your Wedding Reception
Your Wedding Reception.. the party!
Overview
It’s party time! Time to relax, dance and celebrate with your family and friends.
I aim to photograph the details of your reception and room setup before your guests enter the room. This is best before your guests place their jackets and bags on chairs and tables and a great opportunity for you both to see your reception setup and even your cake before your big entrance. Access for this will depend on your venues schedule and our timeline.
During the reception I take photos of all of your guests, if you would like a special photo with someone please let me know.
My finish time will be confirmed before your wedding day, so depending on your schedule we may do a mock cake cutting, or capture this as it happens.
Before I leave I love to take advantage of the night, and finish with some sparkles or some night images. All depending on the location and lighting we have around your venue.
Reception planning tips!
Every wedding and venue is slightly different. Here are a few tips and ideas we have gathered with years of experience. This may prompt questions to your venue, or give you some ideas to consider for your day.
Reception Photography Coverage
Our reception photography coverage will depend on the package you have selected, often we are there until the end of your formalities, speeches, cake cutting and first dance. Do you want this to be covered?
Creating a reception timeline/schedule will help determine the amount of coverage required. Often your venue will assist with a timing schedule based on food service times etc.
Are you having an MC?
Sometimes couples ask friends or family members to be their MC. This is great, if this person loves public speaking, keeping your guests attention when needed and are comfortable with this role. It is a job for the evening and keeps everything on track not only for your photography timeline but your venues too.
It isn’t great if your MC has a few too many drinks then gives up or forgets what needs to be done. You need someone to keep everything on track behind the scenes. We have seen some fantastic family/friends take on the role of the MC and some couples may have regretted their decision part way through the night.
Another great option is to see if your DJ offers an MC duties within their DJ package, a lot of them do offer this service and your friend or family member can enjoy the evening with you.
Keep moments moving
Plan your reception in a way that will keep guests engaged. A great MC will do this for you. Allow guests to know what is happening and when.
A popular choice is for your speeches to then continue on into the cake cutting, then into your first dance.
Consider your Guests
If you have elderly guests they may not stay til the very end, you may decide to cut the cake a little earlier so everyone can be a part of it. Grandparents love seeing this sweet tradition!
If your wedding is in winter, will they be warm, does the venue have heating, or do you need to prompt your guests to dress warm?
Cutting the Cake
Do you know how to cut the cake?
Do you know which layer to cut?
Will you share a taste before it is taken away?
Do you need to cut the cake early, eg if it needs to be prepared for your desert?
A lot of couples proceed to cut the cake then look for direction.
Read our Cutting Your Cake post for some inspiration.
Your First Dance
If you are nervous about a first dance, remember you don’t have to dance to an entire song. Give your DJ some direction here, there are options.
Don’t select a really long song, or you can fade the song out at a certain point, or have your MC invite your wedding party, or parents to the dance floor to dance along side you towards the end of the song. Definitely give your photographer a chance to get a few first dance images. This way it is organised and you don’t need to shuffle too long, and you know others will be joining you shortly.
If you are wanting lots of first dance photos, a full song is the way to go.
Also having a few simple dance lessons is a great way to prepare for your first dance.
The Formalities
Once all of your formalities are completed the dance floor opens up and the party really starts.
Some couples opt to have their formalities earlier in the night so they can then enjoy the remainder of the night with family and friends.
This is up to you!
Night Images
Before I leave I love to take advantage of the night, and finish with some sparkles or some night images.
This is all depending on the location and lighting we have around your venue.
Things to consider when setting your reception schedule:
The schedule of your reception is up to you, or set by your venue, things to consider:
- Wedding Party Introductions (who and in which order)
- Couple Introductions
- Photos with friends opportunities
- Speeches (by who and how many)
- Cake Cutting
- First Dance
- Father Daughter Dance / Mother Son Dance
- Bouquet and Garter Toss
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