Impress Your Guests With These Creative Reception Ideas

Do you want to make your reception a memorable one? Are you looking for something fun and unique to add that will have your guests talking about your wedding for months? I have created a list of creative reception ideas that your guests are going to LOVE!

Lawn Games

Hire a Caricaturist

Serve Uncommon Yummy Foods

Late-Night Lantern Release

Hire a Flash Mob

Apr

The Swoon Event – Don’t Miss This Stellar Recap

This past weekend our team had the pleasure of attending and covering The Swoon Event in Dallas. This is not your run-of-the-mill bridal show. Nor is it your run-of-the-mill bridal market. Picture Pinterest - and spending an afternoon pinning beautiful, awe-inspiring, gotta-have-it-now goodness for parties and weddings…but in person. You can imagine the giddiness and ear to ear smiles. The Swoon Event took place at The Green Warehouse in the Trinity Groves community of Dallas and (sidebar: if you live in Dallas, near Dallas, or are planning a trip to Dallas – you must visit this vibrant, thriving, eclectic destination) primarily features non-traditional goods, services and inspiration for locals who are planning a wedding or event. However, you don’t have to be a Dallas Fort Worth native to partake. For example, Winifred Bean (our newest obsession) can be shopped online. Also available worldwide – Appy Couple, Design Roots, Posta Bella, Damsel White Label, Picture Perfect Day, and Apryl Ann Photography. If you love working with independant designers, are obsessed with discovering new talent, crave incredible distinctive art, and enjoy shopping small businesses then we highly recommend checking out and following all of The Swoon Event vendors.

Bride’s Dress: Damsel White Label

Bride’s Dress: Winifred Bean

Rentals: Shag Carpet Prop Rental Company

Photobooth: Pretty Deer Photobooth

Bridal Market: The Swoon Event

Jan

Trend Alert! Add a Lounge for a Relaxing Reception

The fun trend of reception lounges popped up in 2012 and is now making big appearances in 2013! I have to admit, I am in love love love with this trend. Adding a little reception lounge a few steps from the dance floor gives guests the ability to kick up their feet, relax, and mingle. It doesn’t matter if your reception is indoors or outdoors, modern or eclectic, day or night- a reception lounge gives your reception a little something extra that I promise your guests will be oohing and ahing over! Make the lounge swanky and cool by adding candles, curtains, and little personal touches. Hey, you could even turn the lounge into a cigar bar, wine tasting, or a little bites stop! Put a posh touch on your reception by adding the ever so chic reception lounge!

Check out these DFW vendors and start planning your reception lounge now!

M&M The Special Events Company

DFW Lounge Rentals

Suite 206

Dec

Destination Michigan Wedding at Frog Pond Village

Gray continues to be the most popular wedding color this year- and this lakeside destination Michigan wedding at Frog Pond Village is no expect ion. Paired with greens and purples, the garden aesthetic is perfect for the lush and romantic venue. The bride looked amazing in that glamorous gown with off-the-shoulder detail. Photographed by Dan and Melissa I Wedding Photographers, the beautiful venue Frog Pond Village was perfectly accented with gorgeous garden blooms in shades of purple. Love this bride’s wedding look as much as I do? Then check out the list of vendors that helped her get her bridal beauty at the end of this post!

Photographer:

Dan and Melissa | Wedding Photographers

Dress Store:

Maggie Soterro

DJ:

Northern Dj Connection

Bakery:

Kingsley Cakes

Event Venue:

Frog Pond Village

Hair Stylist:

Styles North Salon and Spa

Dress Store:

Bridal Elegance, Grand Rapids, MI

Tuxedo and Mens Attire:

Captain’s Quarters

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Photographer: Dan and Melissa I Wedding Photographers

Reception Venue: Frog Pond Village

Hairstylist: Style North Salon

Bridal Salon: Bridal Elegance

DJ: Northern DJ Connection

Cake Baker: Kingsley Cakes

Mar

Mondays with Madi…Where’s the party?

“I now pronounce you husband and wife!”… Cheers, smiles, applause…Now everyone’s ready for the reception!

Before we could go too crazy with the color and design elements of our special day (correction: before I could go crazy with it… believe it or not, color and design is not one of BRS’s primary concerns!) we had to establish the venues for our ceremony and reception.

The potential January snowfall + back roads did not sound appealing with our original idea of an old rustic barn. Moving on to more winter-appropriate venues sent us to downtown Kansas City where the winter season is celebrated and the nightlife is spirited! We will be having a lot of out of town guests and we thought it would be a great opportunity to show our loved ones a good time in Kansas City!

We started with a LONG list of venues to check out but naturally we eliminated many due to capacity, catering options, comfort level, etc. Here are some of the fun places we explored:

Drexel Hall, Kansas City, MO

Terrace on Grand, Kansas City, MO

One 8 Oak, Kansas City, MO

As you can see, we had several great options! Lord knows I’m not the most patient girl so thankfully after seeing the venues on our list, the decision was a quick one!

Drum roll please…

Californos in Westport, Kansas City, MO

The final decision was Californos in Westport! This venue was the first of many that I drug poor BRS to. It was a perfect match for us and we felt so comfortable with the coordinators they have on site. It gave us the rustic-meets-elegance-feel we were going for with red brick walls in the ballroom, wood flooring and beautiful glass windows throughout. This venue is actually an old trolley barn transformed into a restaurant and event space!

Californos was not only a great place to hold our party but it had an incredible menu to offer as a part of its package. (BRS is already drooling as he thinks about selecting our menu…We’ll keep you posted on that selection come November!)

We can’t wait for an exciting party with friends and family to celebrate our marriage!

What is your favorite part of a wedding reception? The toasts? Food? Dancing? Leave a comment below!

-M.T.R.