There’s nothing we want more than a successful, upbeat wedding reception, so we put together a wedding reception planning checklist in St. Louis to get you started on this path to success! This reception starter checklist will help you get things rolling with planning the party of the year! Start here to create a list of goals so you can pace yourself and have a perfectly planned wedding reception that you can enjoy, too!
Wedding Planning Checklist in St. Louis
Once you’re engaged, the questions start coming! When are you getting married? Which venue are you using? Will I be invited?! The first thing we suggest is to actually enjoy those first days or weeks of being engaged! Try to focus on what vision you see for you and your fiance on your wedding day. From a hotel reception to one near the beach, spend time with your partner discussing how you can mend each of your visions into one perfect celebration of your love!
Invitations
Once a guest list is created, now you need to let them know about the big event! Are you designing something on your computer to print, hiring a designer, or even sending a paperless invite? Based on your budget and aesthetic, you’ll need to pick one then begin the process of creating an invitation that reflects the theme you’ve chosen, so your guests know what to expect.
Make sure it includes everything your guests need to know — you can use the “5 Ws” here: Who, What, When, Where, Why! Make sure you send invitations well in advance, (6-8 weeks before the wedding) and include an RSVP card, stamped envelope, and due date. If you need some inspiration to get you started, Pinterest is full of ideas to get you started!
Photographer
A picture is worth a thousand words and so are the memories you make at a wedding. With so many of your friends and family gathered together, it is the perfect opportunity to capture some photos of everyone. Hiring a photographer ensures that you will have these memories forever and that you are included in them, too! For a roster of vetted professionals, check out our photographers in the St. Louis area.
Videographer
While it’s standard to hire a wedding photographer, we promise you should not overlook hiring a videographer as well. No one ever regrets having video footage of their first dance, their cousins doing cartwheels on the dance floor, and their sibling’s heartfelt speech. Unfortunately, hiring a videographer to capture the reception is a choice many people regret passing upon, and we are working hard to not let this happen to future couples. Our videography team captures all the best highlights of your wedding so you can relive the fun later. It’s like watching home movies — only the upscale version with cinematic background music and high definition picture.
Music
Music and wedding receptions go hand in hand. Not all party playlists are created equal, and you want the best soundtrack to set the tone for your wedding reception. Hiring a DJ guarantees your event will be on point with the best tunes: even a smaller reception can benefit from having a professional there keeping the beats and the schedule of events that evening going. Sometimes the best idea will be hiring a DJ who can take care of all of those things for you. We’ll help you find the right playlist for your party — hear for yourself!
Entertainment
Whether you are dancing the night away or having an enchanted beachside dinner, each reception has its own unique way of encouraging guests to enjoy themselves. There are endless ideas for party fun and mapping out what that will be is an exciting part of the planning process. Maybe you’re thinking of a giant ball pit, a high-energy DJ to keep the crowd dancing, or perhaps guests will hop in a photo booth for some glamour shots — the choice is yours!
Menu
Food can be the highlight or the disaster of an event, so make sure you get this one right and hire a professional caterer. Also, ensure a proper guest count is collected early enough so the caterer knows how much food to prepare to make sure nothing runs out (nothing kills a party faster than hungry guests). Finally, avoid any unpleasant allergic reactions or issues by making sure you know which guests have dietary needs so you can plan accordingly.
Transportation
Limo, party bus, horse-drawn carriage… whatever you choose, you need to know how you will get to your wedding reception. No one wants to get left behind, so be sure that your bridal party has a plan, too!
Favors
Little tokens of your love and appreciation for your guests is a tradition that most couples like to continue. Many times favors have a personalized touch that requires some prep time, however. This is one item that can be done closer to the wedding date. It is also a great way to let other people join in on the wedding planning fun.
Complete Weddings + Events in St. Louis
Made it this far in the planning checklist? Help us take your wedding planning checklist in St. Louis to the next level. Contact Complete Weddings + Events and let us know which services you still need to accomplish, and we’ll help you make it happen! Our event consultants are ready to help you with wedding planning in St. Louis!