RECEPTION Tips + Ideas

I can’t stress to you enough how important lots of string lights can be for your reception!

Think about it this way, the brighter you can make your reception space with string lights and candles, the better your photos will turn out. Low lit receptions end up making the photos poor quality, super grainy losing lots of detail, and usually have to be edited as black and whites to be able to make them look decent. If you have tons of string lights and candles I’ll be able to edit the photos in color, they’ll look better, your skin will look better, and I won’t have to use flash over photos that should have a soft dreamy look (I.e. when friends and family are gathering together to eat, your first dance, toasts and speeches). You can get a great deal on string lights at Costco or Amazon.

Christmas string lights aren’t usually bright enough. I recommend bigger brighter string lights like restaurant patio lights you can buy for like $50.

Once the booze kicks in and the music gets going, feel free to dim the lights and get litty! I’ll take out my flash and capture everyone dancing and having a good time. I promise to include all the derpy photos of your friends and family too — you can thank me later ;)

Reception Tables

The decision between long, round, or square tables is never easy but farm tables are my absolute favorite! Not only does this arrangement help a large reception feel intimate, but the design options are endless. Here are some Farm Table Inspiration Ideas.

If you’re leaning towards renting a white tent for your reception here are some Magical Tent Decor Ideas for your outdoor wedding!

Check the weather

If your reception is outside, check the weather about a week from your date. If your wedding day is during a rainy time of the year or it looks like it might rain it’s always good to have a backup plan.

Look into renting white tents to cover the tables and dance floor. You’ll be able to set up the string lights under the tent as well.

 Non-traditional Reception Ideas

I’m all about breaking traditions and encouraging my couples to do what feels right and what’s true to who you are! After documenting traditional and non-traditional weddings here are some ideas I’ve seen couples do in the past to make their day more unique and more them.

  1. Instead of catering fancy food that you wouldn’t normally eat together consider your favorite meals as a couple for catering your fav food truck! Think Chick-fil-a, tacos, stone baked pizza, or In-and-Out Burger, etc…

  2. Reuse ALL your ceremony flowers for your reception. Then gift your arrangements to your friends and family. Don’t let them go to waste and end up in garbage bags. Here are some more eco-friendly wedding ideas.

  3. Skip the bouquet and garter toss. Or instead of getting all your single friends out on the dance floor, toss your bouquet when you do your grand exit.

  4. Have a dessert bar of your favorite treats instead of a tall tier cake like pies, cookies, doughnuts, ice cream, etc… or if you’d like to have a cake you can cut it together in private without everyone watching.

  5. Private first dance just the two of you.

  6. Host an after party at a bar, go bowling, roller skate at a rink, or go back to the Airbnb to hangout over a bonfire, s’mores, and beer.

  7. Ditch the white dress and wear something unique and YOU or plan a reception outfit change to mix things up and get the party going!

  8. Hire a live band to play tunes instead of a DJ.

  9. Have your reception outside and dance under the twinkling lights and starry night sky.

  10. Some exit ideas are sparklers, confetti bombs (biodegradable), fireworks, lantern send off in the sky, smoke bombs, stargazing, or a last go-all-out-dance with your family and friends to your favorite song to end the night!