The first thing to consider is the cost. If the brides parents are paying for the reception discuss everything with them first and arrange a budget. You might want a lavish reception with gourmet food and champagne but is it practical.

Arrange the day to be a celebration of your marriage not a display of the size of your bank balance. The food should be good quality and the menu designed to suit your guests. If they prefer smoked salmon to soup you will know and provide accordingly. Make your reception a happy occasion for everyone and that includes the bill payer.

The Number of guests you decide on will determine the type of reception you arrange. Weddingsight have four ideas for your reception:

(1) Immediate family
(2) Immediate family and friends
(3) Everyone you know on a budget
(4) The Lavish Affair

You decide on a small intimate affair for immediate family and friends. A sit-down meal at an exclusive restaurant for 10 – 20 people. An opportunity to chat enjoy the day with those you love.

You decide on a small intimate affair for immediate family but you want to invite all your friends also. Following your family sit-down reception you arrange a buffet reception in the evening and invite everyone. You can hire a band or a disco and celebrate into the small hours or as long as your venue is licensed.

You decide on a large number of guests but want to keep the costs down. Arrange to hire a hall with a contract caterer, provide your guests a buffet meal and have a disco afterwards. If you have a large enough garden you can hire a marquee and independent caterer but don’t forget the toilet arrangements.

To make this work get married in the afternoon and provide a buffet at two different times. That way everyone is ready for the food when it comes. The party can go on into the early hours of the next day.

You decide on a lavish reception no expense spared it’s your day and your going for it. Arrange to hire a Wedding Planner and leave the arrangements to them. There’s nothing else for you to do except have a wonderful day.#

You may have other ideas. Whatever you decide discuss all aspects of the day with the bill payer. If that’s you and your partner decide on a budget and stick to it. Remember when you return from your honeymoon you will have a home to run and probably a car to pay for and a job to return to.

If it’s the bride’s parents who are paying discuss all the options and don’t be afraid to ask what budget they have set aside. Never go into great debt for your wedding nor cause the brides parents to go into debt. A little debt to make a special day even better that doesn’t place a great burden on the brides parents or the couple and can be managed away over a few months is acceptable; but be careful, you can get carried away and the costs can mount up.