How to Plan the Perfect Wedding Reception
- ontargetmedia8
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
From wedding breakfast to fireworks: your guide to a day everyone will remember.
Your wedding reception is more than just a celebration, it’s the moment your nearest and dearest gather to raise a glass, share a meal, and hit the dance floor in your honour. But behind the magic is thoughtful planning, careful coordination, and a sprinkle of surprise. Whether you're hosting a grand affair or an intimate countryside soirée, we’ve curated the ultimate guide to planning a reception that’s stylish, smooth-running and totally unforgettable.
Set the Scene: First Things First
Venue & Layout: Choose a venue that fits your style, be it a grand manor, a rustic barn, or a chic city rooftop. Make sure it flows well between ceremony, drinks, dinner, and dancing. Ask about wet-weather options (we are in Wales after all!) and consider guest comfort throughout the day.
Wedding Stationery & Signage: Your wedding signage is both practical and personal. Include welcome signs, seating plans, bar menus, and even a “Love Story Timeline” to keep guests engaged. Stationery can be luxe (foiled menus, letterpress place cards) or DIY chic (hand-lettered blackboards, framed prints). Don’t forget table numbers and escort cards.
Props & Styling Extras: Set the scene with ambient lighting (think: fairy lights, Edison bulbs, candles), draping, floral centrepieces, and decor that reflects your theme. Want something unique? Try:
A flower or foliage wall for photo ops
Personalised neon signs
Hanging installations (floral clouds, chandeliers)
Themed photo booths with quirky props
Drinks Reception: Let the Celebrations Begin
After the ceremony, guests love a chance to mingle with fizz in hand. Offer:
Signature cocktails or a gin bar (very on-trend)
Canapés or a grazing table with local cheeses and artisan breads
Live entertainment like a harpist or acoustic duo to set a relaxed tone
Add fun extras like lawn games (giant Jenga, croquet) or a prosecco wall for Insta-worthy sipping.
The Wedding Breakfast: A Feast to Remember
This is the heart of the reception — a chance to gather, eat, and toast to your future.
Seating Plans: Display creatively — vintage mirrors, pegged cards on a frame, or hanging tags on a tree branch.
Menu: Whether you choose formal plated courses, sharing platters, or a BBQ feast, make it personal. Incorporate local or seasonal flavours. Add a printed menu to each place setting for a polished touch.
DIY Touch: Create your own favours that double as place cards — think homemade jam jars, mini succulents, or artisan biscuits with hand-written name tags.
Top Tip: Offer a vegetarian or vegan option that’s just as thoughtful as the main menu — and check for allergies early.
Speeches: When and Who
The traditional UK order of speeches is:
Father of the Bride
Groom
Best Man
But feel free to switch it up! Brides, maids of honour, and mums are increasingly stepping up to the mic — and rightly so. Keep speeches before dessert to hold attention (and avoid clinking cutlery!) and cap total time at around 30–45 minutes.
Pro tip: Break them up with entertainment or a surprise moment — like...
Entertainment: Keep Guests Talking
Entertainment transforms your wedding into an experience. Consider layers of surprise and delight throughout the day.
Ceremony:
String quartet, harpist or classical guitarist
Gospel choir or acoustic singers for a twist
Wedding Breakfast:
Singing waiters — a brilliant surprise that gets guests up and singing before dessert
Light piano or instrumental covers of pop songs
Evening Party:
Live band or DJ (or both — a DJ live fusion is increasingly popular)
Saxophonist or bongo drums to roam the dance floor
Silent disco for venues with sound limits
Ceilidh or ceilidh band for interactive dancing fun
DIY Options:
Curate your own playlists on Spotify for dinner or dancing
Host an open mic segment for talented guests (with some vetting!)
Wedding Cake: Make it a Moment
Don’t let the cake-cutting be an afterthought. Announce it with music, invite everyone to gather, and cut it just before the evening reception begins.
Creative Ideas:
Display it with uplighting or a floral arch
Add a neon “Let them eat cake” sign
Opt for a cheese tower or dessert table if traditional cake isn’t your thing
DIY cake topper or family heirloom knife adds a sentimental touch
Party Time: Lights, Camera, Dance Floor
Create a space that screams celebration:
LED dance floor or sparkler fountains for dramatic entrances
Late-night food (think: fish & chips cones, wood-fired pizza, or gourmet toasties)
Lounge area with vintage furniture for guests needing a break from the dancefloor
Interactive Ideas:
Glitter bar or face art station
Whiskey or rum tasting table
DIY cocktail corner
Grand Finale: End on a High
Give your guests a moment to remember:
Fireworks or sparkler send-off
Confetti cannon as you take to the floor for your last dance
Surprise after-dark dessert — ice cream trike or toasted marshmallows by a firepit
Budget tip: Create your own sparkler station with a framed sign, bucket of sparklers, and lighters.
Final Thoughts: It’s All in the Details
Your reception is where the love, laughter and dancing all come to life. The key? Think like a guest — where will they go, what will they see, what will they need? From thoughtful signage and entertainment highs to unexpected little touches, every element contributes to a day that feels totally you.
Whether you're planning a luxury celebration or weaving in DIY charm, remember: this is your moment to celebrate with the people who matter most. Make it magic.
