Reception

Consider having your wedding and reception in the same location. If you are using a church, check on the availability of its fellowship hall or other meeting facilities. Many of the hotels in the Tri-Cities can accommodate both a wedding and its reception. You will want to find out what facilities the church offers for heating and serving your food and what its alcohol policy is as this could be a deal-breaker. Many hotels have rules about outside caterers, so make sure you find out all the details before signing any agreements.

You can have great music without a DJ. If you want a glitzy light show and huge speakers, that’s one thing, but if you are just looking for good music that won’t burst your guests eardrums, try raiding your CD collection and those of your friends and family members. A groomsman would be a good candidate to run the stereo system and many now need little attention, as many CDs can be pre-programmed at one time.

Have a private reception. Invite who ever you like to the wedding, but plan a private reception at a separate location (maybe even a different day), where close friends and family can help you celebrate. You can plan anything from a barbecue to a seven-course meal. Feeding 20 people is much more affordable than feeding 200 and you can relax and enjoy yourself in the smaller setting. Remember, bigger is not always better.

Instead of a traditional banquet hall, consider a community center or church hall for your reception. These places normally can be rented for a relatively small amount and are of an adequate size to host most receptions.

Have a cash bar instead of an open bar. Not only will this save you a bit of money, It will also dissuade your guests from overindulging. Some hotels and banquet halls will also work with you to set a number or time limit on free drinks and then begin charging for alcohol.

Instead of dinner, have a cocktail or dessert reception. If a four-hour reception sounds a bit much to you, consider offering desserts or cocktails and cake only. This will encourage guests not to stick around too long and speed you on your way to your honeymoon. You can still offer a variety of great foods with a wonderful presentation.

Don’t drive up catering costs by having seafood and beef tenderloin entrées. If you must have these selections, serve them for an appetizer. Chicken costs have also skyrocketed in the last year. Be sure to carefully review your choices with the caterer to find the most cost-effective option that suits your reception.

Ask your reception site about guaranteed numbers. You might still have to pay for 150 guests even though 120 showed up. Many places will charge you for the extra person if 151 guests show up, but won't refund any money if fewer guests than planned are present. Make sure you know the rules up front, so that you don't have an unpleasant surprise waiting on the return from your honeymoon.

Reserve your banquet hall early so they put a cap on the price per person. Many halls will be willing to cut you a deal if they have plenty of time to do the planning ton their end. They will be less inclined to offer special pricing with only a month or two in which to plan.

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