Tag Archives: how to

How To: Make Sure Your Reception Memorable

Hooray, you’ve just gotten married and now it’s time to celebrate your big day at your reception! Luckily, you’ve read our tips for how to make sure your reception is fun for all of your guests, even the ones that aren’t planning on getting on the dance floor! Here are some of our favorite ways to make sure everyone is having a blast at your reception:

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Table Activities

Not all of your guests may be able to dance the whole night long, so you’ll want to be sure to provide some additional entertainment at each table. We love the idea of creating personalized table games that will be fun for guests of all ages! For example, one creative idea is to design a wedding or newlywed themed Mad Libs game. (Be prepared for some nonsense – that’s the fun!) Another fun table idea is to have booklets with questions for guests, such as “What should we do on date nights?” or “What’s your secret to a happy marriage?” Provide pens at each table so that guests can fill out each question for you and your new spouse to read after the wedding. These activities will keep everyone laughing and will be an easy icebreaker for guests to get to know one another.

Outdoor Games

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you may find the space to set up some fun yard games! By setting up backyard favorites, like cornhole and horseshoes, guests will have the chance to stay active and partake in some friendly competition. These games are a great way for guests to mingle and share a laugh over a specialty cocktail.

Kid Zone

If children will be attending your wedding, you’ll want to plan in advance to have a kid-friendly area to keep them entertained and having a good time. Whether it’s an art table with craft supplies or a wedding-themed coloring book, there are a number of ways to ensure the kids enjoy your wedding just as much as their parents. Another easy idea is to provide some of your favorite childhood board games, like Chutes and Ladders or Candy Land. Who knows, you may even get some adults in on the games!

DIY Food Tables

Make-your-own-food stations provide a fun way to give your guests some late night munchies when their feet are tired. Some of our favorite DIY food ideas are make-your-grilled-cheese or customizable mac ‘n’ cheese bars. Throw in some bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, and whatever else tickles your fancy! A simple dessert version of this is an ice cream buffet, full of every topping under the sun! These interactive tables will keep guests talking about what they created and will help ensure no one leaves hungry! 

Of course, these are just a few ways to make sure all of your guests feel included in your wedding celebration and to make sure everyone’s having a fun time. You can take these ideas and customize them to work for you and your guests for a party to remember!

Proudly serving Bay Area Weddings for over twenty years, Fantasy Sound aims to be engaged couples’ first stop- offering Disc Jockey, Videography, Event Lighting Décor and Wedding Planning services. They are fueled by great ideas paired with strong coffee, and will never turn down a piece of red velvet wedding cake.

How to: Incorporate Trends into Your Wedding

There are so many aspects to creating your perfect wedding, which means there are nearly an unlimited number of ways to incorporate the latest wedding trends into your big day! Not sure where to start? Here’s a bit of inspiration to get you started:

Food

One of our favorite food trends is the ever-popular food truck!  This is a great addition after the more formal meal (and a few hours of dancing!). Originality is the name of the game with food trucks and we have no doubt that you’ll have all sorts of tasty food truck options to choose from given their popularity! Click here to learn how to find food trucks in your area.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Long gone are the days of the “bad” bridesmaid dress. Say hello to “mismatched” bridesmaid dresses. Make sure that all of your bridesmaids love their dress by allowing them to choose their own! You can simply share your color scheme with your party and then allow them to select their own dress. Despite being different, or “mismatched”, each dress will complement each other without being too “match-y.” We just adore that this trend, which will showcase the unique personalities of your bridesmaids!

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Photo Source: Green Wedding Shoes Photo Credit: Kati Rosado Photography

Venues

Think outside the box, unexpected wedding locations are in trend! Many couples are choosing to book unique venues for when they say “I do.” Museums, private estates, and “the great outdoors” are just a few ideas for uncommon venues. The beauty of this trend is that you can make any location a wedding venue!

Photo Source: Wedding Party Photo Credit: Lizelle Lotter Photography

These are just a few of the many trends of the year, what are some of the favorites you plan to include?

Proudly serving Bay Area Weddings for over twenty years, Fantasy Sound aims to be engaged couples’ first stop- offering Disc Jockey, Videography, Event Lighting Décor and Wedding Planning services. They are fueled by great ideas paired with strong coffee, and will never turn down a piece of red velvet wedding cake.

How To: Let’s Talk Budget

So, it’s time for the budget talk… While it’s not the most romantic part of planning your wedding, it is one of the most important steps that you and your partner will take together. It is imperative that the two of you take the time to sit down early in the process to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to financing your big day.

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Before divvying up the budget, you’ll want to determine who is contributing to your wedding. Gone are the traditional days of the bride’s parents covering the costs – trends show that couples are contributing significantly, as well as other family members.

After determining the sources of your funds, you’ll want to discuss what you value the most on the big day – we like to suggest coming up with a list of top 3 “Must-Haves”. This is one of the most essential parts of your budget discussion, so be sure to agree on some common ground when it comes to your financing (perhaps the cigar bar isn’t a requirement!).

Most likely, you’ll be finding a number of sample budget templates online which will tell you how much to spend in what departments. However, at the end of the day, it’s really up to you to decide where your money is spent! It may help to create a spreadsheet or budget template to keep track of your expenses throughout the process.

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Once all is discussed and settled, it’s time to get organized. You’ll want to start by researching vendors in each category of your wedding plan to get a better idea of what you can get for your price points. When doing your research, it’s imperative to give wedding professionals all relevant information—preferred date, number of anticipated guests, etc.—so they can provide you with an accurate quote for your records.

One last note about budgeting – it can be easy to overlook some of the “extra” costs associated with your wedding, so keep the little things in mind as well – postage for invitations, transportation for the two of you after the wedding, gratuity for vendors, gifts for your wedding party, etc. Planning in advance is always key for a smooth and seamless process!

Proudly serving Bay Area Weddings for over twenty years, Fantasy Sound aims to be engaged couples’ first stop- offering Disc Jockey, Videography, Event Lighting Décor and Wedding Planning services. They are fueled by great ideas paired with strong coffee, and will never turn down a piece of red velvet wedding cake.