Ladies post your tips here....If you got any special deals on booking, or noted any specific useful information for those still in the early planning stages, do tell....


For me, EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME:

1. Work hard and long on the song list for the DJ

2. Plan the reception events as well as possible: Dances (father-daughter/mother-son, etc), Walk-in, Garter/bouquet toss, cake slicing, etc....

3. Get Take out plate for you and your new DH with the meal and a couple slices of cake!
-You are too busy mingling and too excited to eat....You may forget-as we did...which is a surprise cause me and my DH are greedy! But we forgot to eat, and only enjoyed a few bites...yes bites of our delicious wedding cake! And were STARVING time we got to the hotel.....So we ate at Wendys that night....lol...my friend and her new DH went to Red Loster so we were not alone on this issue!

4. Make arrangements by asking a trusted friend ahead of time for who will take your gifts where...Case in point...My friends and in-laws didn't mind bringing our gifts to the house...but we forgot to ask, and my Wedding Coordinator(WC) kind of dropped it on them, and they were not expecting that...and it didn't help that they didn't like my WC.....2nd case: My brothers wedding...Okay they got married here in Tally, were leaving for a cruise to the Caribbean the next morning, and then going to their new home in Atlanta when they got back in a week or so, so at the last minute their WC asked which relative wouldn't mind taking them to Atlanta, so our cousin volunteered....His new wife didn't know our 2nd cousin who lives in Atlanta, so of course his new wife was like WHO THE HECK IS THAT taking their wedding presents to the car! Almost turned ugly!

Plan ahead.

After watching too much Bridezilla:

1. Try to use a caterer or book a place where you DO not have to be responsible for clean-up.....Cleaning up in that wedding dress is not cute....!

2. Make arrangements ahead of time of WHO will clean up WHAT if cleaning up will help your $$ (bottom line).....

3. RSVP LIST, RSVP LIST, RSVP LIST

4. Get a back-up copy of special songs needed to be played just in case....

Bumblebeekee wrote:

3. Get Take out plate for you and your new DH with the meal and a couple slices of cake!
-You are too busy mingling and too excited to eat....

After watching too much Bridezilla:

1. Try to use a caterer or book a place where you DO not have to be responsible for clean-up.....Cleaning up in that wedding dress is not cute....!

4. Get a back-up copy of special songs needed to be played just in case....

GREAT POINTS BUMBLE!!!!!! I saw the Bridezilla episode with 'ol girl and it definetly WAS NOT cute seeing her cleaning up OUTSIDE in her wedding dress!!!

I saw that same episode...her brother was a trip, Rev. jacked up their names...LMAO...shame
I booked my reception at a restaurant with one of the reasons being that we wouldn't have to worry about clean up. Plus I have a small group and having it any place else wouldn't have made sense.
My Man of Honor will set up and take down our engagement photo and signing frame, favor bags,pack up the wedding cake and take back any gifts to my house. Low maintenance is the way to go!

I saw it also she was crying at the end Not trying to have that. I copied and paste your tips because I have to go back up to New York this weekend to handle some more wedding stuff. I carry you ladies with me everywhere on my blackberry it's like ya'll be with me when I talk to the vendors.

Mrs080908 wrote:

I saw it also she was crying at the end Not trying to have that. I copied and paste your tips because I have to go back up to New York this weekend to handle some more wedding stuff. I carry you ladies with me everywhere on my blackberry it's like ya'll be with me when I talk to the vendors.

LOL!!!!!!!! glad we can be of service!!

Mrs080908 wrote:

I saw it also she was crying at the end Not trying to have that. I copied and paste your tips because I have to go back up to New York this weekend to handle some more wedding stuff. I carry you ladies with me everywhere on my blackberry it's like ya'll be with me when I talk to the vendors.

Amen,ya'll are on my T-mobile Wing!

I wanted to jot down these tips while they're fresh in my memory.

My 25 Wedding Reception Tips

1. Set a realistic budget and prioritize.
2. Read all contracts very carefully.
3. Be organized by keeping all receipts and contracts in one place.
4. Reserve your site as early as possible.
5. If you can, have the wedding and reception in the same location to save on limo costs and transporting any out-of-town guests.
6. Create

Well said Divas!!!

Great points VIPrincess! I love the idea of sitting couples together (if on is in the wedding party and one is not)....At my brothers wedding, they did invite my friends and my brother and sister in law, so my DH did have close friends to sit next to while I sat in the front...so unless that situation comes available, I second your notion!


I also agree about extra favors, centerpeices, etc, etc...Cause nothing is worse than not having enough favors or centerpeices or whatever...

But you made some great points....Anyone from experience, or even at other weddings have you seen any no no's you want to add?