Transform Your Wedding Venue
Stylish Ideas for Personalizing Your Reception at a Catering Hall
Mar 21, 2008
When considering a location to celebrate your wedding the sky is the limit. Depending on your where you live, you probably are able to choose from a wide variety of venues ranging from a country club or restaurant to an inn or cultural center. There was a time that the banquet or reception hall was the most obvious choices for a wedding reception. After all, the typical facility offers some important advantages:
• Convenient parking
• Professional and knowledgeable staff that handles all of the details, and has a list of "reliable" vendors for flowers, music and more
• Access to amenities and services to accommodate you and your entire wedding party.
• On-site catering
So why do so many savvy brides cringe at the thought of using a reception hall? Fear of the "cookie-cutter wedding," of course! We've all attended weddings where we can almost predict what happens next, and it has usually been while at one of these catering halls.
As you weigh the pros and cons of where to host your wedding reception consider this, for all it's worth: you can transform a reception hall into a dynamic space that is all your own. However, the key is to hone in on your vision and decide what elements you will need to create a dream celebration.
Visit several reception sites so that you can develop a taste for what you like and dislike. You will want to choose a location that lends itself to your vision. Pay attention to the architecture and interior design. For instance, if you were aiming for a clean, modern décor, you wouldn't choose a facility that has heavy drapes, dark woods and ornate fixtures. You'd want a location with a more neutral backdrop or features that you'll want to play up rather than camouflage.
Once you have narrowed your choice, find a lighting design company and put them on speed dial! You simply cannot underestimate the power of lighting. It's the single most important ingredient for setting a tone and achieving an inviting and sumptuous atmosphere. If "washing" the room in sexy hue is beyond your budget, inquire about other cost- pin lighting, which highlights specific feature such as the table centerpieces, can work wonders. Coupled with candlelight, the room will exude a beautiful elegant glow.
While you should review the portfolios of the facilities recommended vendors, don't let the banquet sales staff pressure you into using them. Break the status quo and hire your own florist. Gather pictures of centerpieces you love and communicate what moves you about these arrangements. Work with your florist to personalize bouquets that breathe life into your vision. And why limit yourself to roses? Explore all types of blooms, berries and herbs, even fruit.
Many reception halls have a limited selection of linen choices, if they offer a choice at all. Order your own linen or an exquisite overlay to drape over the facility's existing linen.
Create a beautiful table for place cards outside the dining hall. Give guests a taste of what's to come. Decorate it with flowers, a blanket of rose petals or sparkling crystals. Inside, nix the standard table numbers and opt for other creative ways to identify each table based on your theme.
Your wedding cake should be the other "belle-of-the-ball" attracting the awe of your guests. While reception halls typically have wedding cakes built into their wedding packages, rarely do their cakes rival the artistic creations of modern cake designers. Hire your own pastry chef to create and deliver a beautiful confection that reflects your individuality and theme.
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