Above Image Courtesy of ELOVE Photos

Selecting the Perfect Venue for Your Wedding Reception

Whether you prefer a traditional setting or something a bit more unique, Latter-day Saint wedding receptions can be hosted in a variety of locations today.

Classic venues such as backyards, cultural halls, or local ballrooms and event centers continue to be popular choices for LDS wedding receptions. However, more unconventional locations like museums, art galleries, dinner cruises, country clubs, hotels, and restaurants are also gaining popularity.

When deciding on a venue, consider factors such as cost, ambiance, and the services included with your booking. If you're considering an outdoor venue, ensure there's a contingency plan for unpredictable weather conditions.

Decorating Your LDS Wedding Reception

Venues that specialize in hosting wedding receptions, like banquet halls, ballrooms, or event centers, often include a standard decoration package in the booking cost. This can be a significant advantage for busy LDS brides and grooms who have enough decisions to make.

Incorporate your wedding colors and theme (if you have one) into all aspects of your reception decor. Elements like floral arrangements, tablecloths, napkins, place settings, centerpieces, and wall or ceiling decorations all present opportunities to showcase your wedding colors.

Favors for Your LDS Wedding Reception

While not obligatory, many couples appreciate the added touch of providing reception favors. Although not expected, most guests enjoy having a keepsake from the event.

Reception favors can be as simple as napkins printed with the couple's names and the date of the wedding. More elaborate options might include small soaps, tea light candles, coasters, mints, or chocolates.

Themed weddings offer an opportunity to provide guests with favors that reflect a bit more character, such as fans or chopsticks for an Asian-themed wedding.

Music for Your Wedding Reception

Regardless of whether your reception includes dancing, some form of music will likely be necessary. Even if guests are simply socializing, soft background music can significantly enhance the atmosphere.

Having a live, professional DJ can greatly enhance the music at your wedding reception dance. A seasoned wedding DJ knows how to engage with the crowd and manage the playlist to keep your guests entertained and dancing throughout the night.

However, some couples opt to assign a friend or family member as the DJ, utilizing a rented sound system and their own computer or iPod to mix the songs. The option of a wedding band or singer, although not as popular as it used to be, is still a viable choice, particularly for more formal receptions.

Food Options for Your LDS Wedding Reception

The range of food options at your wedding reception is broad. On one end of the spectrum, you have the DIY approach where assigned family members each bring a dish to be placed on a self-serve buffet table. On the other hand, there's the option of a professionally catered sit-down dinner. And of course, there are numerous options in between.

The choice of how to feed your guests depends on your budget and how much work you're willing to take on yourself. If a fully catered meal is beyond your budget but a DIY menu seems too labor-intensive, consider a catered buffet as a compromise.

Invitations for Your LDS Wedding Reception

Invitations are always crucial, but this is particularly true for Mormon wedding reception invitations. If you're inviting any non-members, they might be uncertain about what to expect. Your invitation can help guide them by providing information on the dress code, whether food will be served, and if dancing or a ring ceremony will be part of the reception.

If your wedding includes a temple sealing, it's vital to get the wording of your invitation just right to avoid any confusion about who's invited to what.

There are two primary types of LDS reception invitations:

1. Invitation to both the sealing and the reception
2. Invitation to the reception only

Since the guest list for temple sealing is usually quite small, there will likely be many guests invited to the reception but not the sealing. In these instances, ensure the wording is clear to prevent disappointment, misunderstandings, or hurt feelings.

This is a celebration unlike any you've ever orchestrated. It's not just about the beautiful decorations or the delicious food, it's about the love that fills the room. This is a day to rejoice in your love with those who mean the most to you - your family and friends. Soak in every moment, every smile, every tear of joy, because these are the memories that will last a lifetime. This is your day, your love story, your moment to shine. So, let's make it unforgettable. Celebrate, cherish, and love every moment of this extraordinary journey.

Your faith. Your love. Your day.
Make it unforgettable.