Contributed Post: 7 Tricks to Keep up your Sleeve when Planning your Wedding Reception

Planning your wedding can be one of the most exciting yet stressful periods of your life.

There are many unexpected costs, etiquette dilemmas and vendor disputes that may pop up, but do not let them taint your special big day!

There's an array of tips that can help you plan the most memorable, successful and impressive event that anyone has ever seen. Barrel of Laughs, a photo booth hire company in Perth has put together 7 tricks to keep up your sleeve when planning your wedding reception.

1. Keep Your Guest List Organised

Keeping a tally of how many people are going to show up at your wedding is step one in a stress-free planning of your wedding reception. Make sure to find out the approximate number of guests that are attending before settling on a venue. This will ensure there's ample space for all your friends and family. Generally, a rule is to allow for 25-30 square feet per guest. Seems like a lot? Not really - this will include the space needed for tables, waiters, bands and a dance floor.

2. Listen to Mother Nature!

Make sure that you check in advance what the weather is going to be like on your big day. Guests have been known to leave early at uncomfortably hot summer tent weddings and improperly heated winter receptions. Take note of bugs that also swarm in certain areas during particular seasons. Knowing what the weather is going to be like beforehand will also help you pick out the perfect location for your wedding. After all, no one wants a soggy beach wedding in June!

3. Make Sure To Include Entertainment For Guests At Your Wedding Reception

Whether it be a cool band, games or a goodie bag for each guest, you want to keep them engaged and having fun at all times. A great idea which is quite commonly used these days is to hire a company to set up a photobooth for your guests to use. There is nothing better than capturing the funny, happy and crazy moments at a wedding with funky, fun photographs.

4. Use One Flower En Masse Throughout

Did you know that using the same type of flower throughout your entire wedding reception actually costs less than using a variety of different ones? Most florists will throw in a discount when you order the same type of flowers for your entire ceremony. On top of that, it also makes for a very modern, dramatic look. You can even purchase inexpensive floral paint to change the colours of your flowers up for a fresh and funky look!

5. Call The Fashion Police

Remember to always go dress or suit shopping with friends, family or anyone who is close to you. A second and honest opinion is always a good thing when it comes to choosing that amazing outfit you’re going to wear on your special day. Dresses and suits can all start to look the same after trying on dozens of them, making it hard to recall what style you really loved. Having company around will help with remembering which outfit looked the best on you.

6. Consider Having A Trial For Your Wedding Decor

Just like you would have a trial for your hair and makeup, it is a good idea to plan out a scaled down trial representation of what your wedding decor will look like. This serves as a great visual, allowing you to see how the different textures, colors and decor you have chosen blend with each other. For all you know, they may not! This is why a decor trial is important, as no one wants to spend a fortune on decor only to walk into their reception room and be disappointed with the way it looks.

7. Attend Bridal Showers And Wedding Expos Prior To Your Wedding

Always remember to attend bridal shows and expos early on in your engagement. There is no better way to get inspired and filled with new and unique ideas than by seeing them firsthand. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities that you can tap into for your own big day!

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There you have it! 7 ingenious tricks to keep up your sleeve when planning your wedding reception. Turn what is usually a frantic, stressed experience into something fun and relaxed with these handy tips - and here’s to wishing you a happy marriage!