Wedding Tips

Without question, the bride and groom will be the center of attention. Therefore, they will have a large influence on the mood of the reception. If the bride and groom simply sit around and socialize, guests will most likely do the same. If the happy couple is up and dancing and having fun, that will encourage everyone else to do the same. I have even seen some couples go into the crowd and grab the hands of friends and family as an invitation to come out and dance.

Schedule your wedding ceremony for late afternoon or early evening. Wedding ceremonies can be held at almost any time of the day. However, I have noticed these ceremony start times in particular tend to work really well: 4:30 PM (Fall, Winter, and Spring) or 5:30 PM (Summer). This means the reception will start about 60 - 90 minutes later. This is the perfect time for serving food. Then, on to the traditional wedding reception events and from there, fun and dancing into the evening hours.

Get all (or as many as possible) of the formal pictures done before the dancing starts. I have seen many parties quickly lose their momentum because the bridal party, family, and friends go off to have more pictures taken. It may take a little longer earlier in the day, but it will keep you from losing guests who get tired of waiting for the picture taking to finish up.

Choose a reception venue that is the right size for the number of guests expected. If the room or area is too large, guests may feel intimidated. A smaller room (but not too small) encourages interaction and gives the reception a quaint, cozy feel - guests are more likely to relax, mingle, and enjoy themselves. The same goes for the dance floor - this creates the impression that the dance floor is full. People are more likely to dance when the dance floor "feels" crowded. Take it from a professional who has seen a lot of dance floors and knows crowd psychology (not a banquet manager who is trying to sell you on why a big dance floor is better). If people end up dancing on the carpet and in between tables, that's going to make those stories about the dance floor being packed sound even better.

Don't tuck the entertainment out of the way. A good DJ will work hard to get people dancing and having fun, but they must be seen as part of the action - not just some side attraction. Put the DJ next to the dance floor and in a place easily accessible by your guests. This makes it easy for your family and friends to make requests.

Respect the musical opinions of your DJ. That may sound a bit arrogant, but think about it: That is what DJs do for a living and they can really help make your reception a success. Many couples try to cut out the "cliché wedding music", but getting rid of too much may have a negative impact on the dance floor. When making the list of requested songs and/or types of music for your event, be sure to include selections most everyone will enjoy. People like to dance to songs they are familiar with. A good host or hostess is considerate of all of his or her guests. Keep the music happy and upbeat.

Seat older guests away from the dance floor. This one is self explanatory, but often overlooked.

The area lighting is a key factor. During the early part of the reception, the lighting levels should be appropriate for mingling and enjoying any food that is to be served. As the evening progresses, it is usually best to lower the lights to set the mood. Darker is better (and more romantic). Family and guests are more likely to relax, dance, and have a good time if they do not feel like they are "in the spot light". Lowering the lights (especially around the dance floor) also enhances any special lighting the DJ has set up.

Keep outside distractions to a minimum. These distractions could be a variety of things: An outdoor patio, desserts in another room, etc. If possible, keep all of the attractions (including the DJ) in the same room. Another prime example is the bar. Bars are just like kitchens - they draw people to them. Put the dance floor and bar close together, when possible. Don't make your DJ compete against the draw of the bar on the opposite side of the room or worse yet, in another room.

If possible, cut the wedding cake around the time family and guests are finishing their meals. This keeps the reception moving and allows everyone to enjoy desert right after dinner. Be sure the wedding cake is set up away from the flow of traffic and out of direct sunlight.

Last, but not least: End the party before it's over. In other words, plan on ending your reception about 4-5 hours after it starts. Most of your guests will be ready to wind things down at that point. It simply feels better when everyone is left wanting a little more and saying "that was a great time!" versus being completely worn down and burnt out.

More useful tips and links:

Use your iPhone or iPod Touch to plan your wedding: www.iweddingdeluxe.com

Make your own wedding web site: www.ewedding.com

Check out Google Maps for banquet facility locations around central Ohio