If you want any sort of order at your wedding, you're probably already working on a seating chart - and seating charts mean wedding table numbers. Wedding table numbers are a detail that some brides don't think about until the rest of the planning is over, but honestly, they're just as important as your centerpieces and table runners. Wedding table numbers need to be noticeable without being distracting, and you need to make sure they won't blow away! This isn't a problem for indoor receptions, but it's just one of the little details that some brides brush away until it becomes a problem.
So what are your options for wedding table numbers? There are several styles, designs, and materials that you could use to design your wedding table numbers; they're as diverse and personal as the other details of your day, and they can be fun to integrate if you think about it far enough ahead of time.
You could stick to traditional circular card stock wedding table numbers or tent-style paper wedding table numbers (both simple, classy options), but don't feel limited. Wedding table numbers can be fashioned out of anything if you have a handy-dandy liquid chalk marker at your side. The markers are washable and add a rustic, vintage feel to whatever you might be marking - wedding table numbers included. You could also include your centerpieces in your venture by option for vases with wedding table numbers personalized into them. Get creative!
These alternatives aren’t just for shy guests, mind you. They’re also wonderful for afternoon weddings, weddings with an abundance of children, or weddings where the bride and groom themselves might not be so excited about dancing the night away.
Try… Lawn Games
Perfect for a warm-weather backyard wedding (or really anywhere with space and grass), lawn games are exactly what they sound like. Break out the croquet set and the bocce balls; this plan is a wonderful setup for a wedding that has several younger guests. Lawn games are much less expensive then a photo booth (another popular extra-dancing activity), and guests will stay entertained longer.
Try… Conversation Starter Cards
These are more of a bonus than a way to replace dancing completely. Conversation starter cards are a great way to decorate a table and occupy guests who may be a little shy about shaking it. You can print these cards yourself and arrange them in sets in any manner you like (think ribbons in your colors around sets of fifteen at each place setting). These cards might have hypothetical questions (in the “Would you Rather…” fashion) to get a fun conversation going, and are very well received at events where not everyone is eager to get up and dance.
Try… Wedding Reception Lounges
Better for evening weddings, and a little more laid-back than lawn party games, lounges allow your guests to congregate in comfortable settings on the fringes of your event space. Lounges also let you play with furniture arrangements and possibly integrate a fire pit in a way you probably shouldn’t on the dinner table. Lounges give your guests a laid-back alternative to dancing while still feeling like they’re a part of your event.
Toasting glasses are an important part of a bride’s keepsake arsenal. They’re often personalized and are a relevant part of the proceedings during a wedding reception. While Spring, Summer, and garden weddings often feature lighter beverages (such as light white wines and champagnes) in their toasting glasses, winter wedding toasting glasses offer some fun and unique opportunities for cold weather brides.
Switch up your beverage choices. Winter wedding toasting glasses accept more than champagne. The cold winter months allow you to change things up a bit and pour beer or spiced cider in your winter wedding toasting glasses. For dry weddings, no one will say no to a pint of hot chocolate or cider, especially if you drink yours out of special winter wedding toasting glasses.
Winter wedding toasting glasses also allow you to switch up your materials and design. Find winter wedding toasting glasses that feature frosted glass (to mimic the frosty weather), or the foliage of the season (like pine cones, conifer leaves, etc). Though most winter wedding toasting glasses will keep to the traditional shape, don’t be shy about switching it up.
Everything looks sleek and delicious in the right set of winter wedding toasting glasses.
Reception sites can vary from hotels to halls to clubs. Before choosing a venue, you need to have a rough idea on how many guests have been invited. Once that is decided, you need to look at the location and budget factor. The church hall is the best venue if you are on a shoestring budget.
You also need to see if there are enough parking facilities available for the guests in the venue. You need to check their policies on food, beverage and music. It is better to look around the premise before hand so that there are no surprises on the day of the wedding.
You can even use your backyard to host your reception. You need some good tents for that. Tents give a great feeling of outdoors with protection from the elements. They come in a variety of sizes and styles. If you are hosting an outdoor reception, it is necessary for you to have ample restrooms. You can event opt for portable rest rooms too.
But if your food is bad, it will leave a bad taste in your guests' mouths. So do not compromise on quality. However, that does not mean that you spend thousands of dollars on catering. You can decide on a budget and get the best out of it.
If you don’t want your guests to pay for their drinks and yet not end up paying a huge bill, the best way out of the situation is to decide from before, which drinks you want to serve. You can also keep the bar open for a few hours and then shut it down. You can also have a high tea reception where you only decide to serve appetizers. But you must clarify it before hand.
You would not want your guests to come expecting full meal. Make sure that the caterer you choose is good. Ask for samples before hand. Also negotiate for a good deal. You must freeze the guest list to ensure that you do not run short of food.
