Advices for the reception

The beginning of a wedding reception, usually starts with a cocktail where you will give your guests a chance to gather at the reception facility, deposit their gifts, and meet and mingle with other guests.

It will also provide time for lost guests to find their way to the wedding reception. The cocktail usually takes place outside the reception hall. You would better thank your guests for taking the time to share in this special day with you and made time for arriving at the reception.

Print it on the program for the wedding party, it will help your guests to know in time what will happen during the celebration and when it would be the perfect time to leave.

When you welcome them at your wedding reception, let them know how very thankful you are to have wonderful friends and family who care enough to come.

Wedding Caterer

When hiring your wedding caterer, check to see if the location for your reception provides refrigeration and cooking equipment. If not, make sure your wedding caterer is fully self supported with portable refrigeration and heating equipment.

A competent wedding caterer will prepare much of the food in hither own kitchen and should provide an adequate staff of cooks, servers, and bartenders. Ask your wedding caterer for references and look at photos from previous parties so you know how the food will be presented; or better yet, visit an event they are catering.
There are several questions to ask a wedding caterer:

• How many years has been in business
• What percentage of caterer's business is dedicated to wedding receptions
• Does caterer have liability insurance?
• Is your caterer licensed to serve alcohol?
• When does your wedding caterer require the final head-count?
• What is the ratio of servers to guests for your wedding caterer
• How much gratuity does your wedding caterer expect
• What is the cake-cutting fee?
• What is the bar tending fee?
• What is the fee to clean up after the reception
• What is the payment/cancellation policy