Revisiting 10 secrets...

10 Secrets to a fun Reception....

Originally posted in April 2010

10. Plan a Surprise - Unexpected entertainment such as dancers or a magician. Or by adding theme friendly add-ons like a cigar roller, photo booth or dove release.

9. Keep Your Guests Fuelled - As the party continues and drinks are consumed you'll want to make sure there is some late night food available. Check out our post about unique treats here.

8. Give Out Party Favours - Just like you would for a child's birthday party, give your guests something fun to play with! Party hats, crowns and tiaras, noise makers, sunglasses or even have a sparkler send-off as you leave as Mr. & Mrs.

7. Add a Lounge to your Reception - Give guests a spot to relax and kick up their heels before and during your reception. This set up is very popular for cocktail receptions and tent weddings.

6. Make sure you and your DJ have the same tastes - No one wants to hear DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning' tunes from Barney's sing-a-long, or the hokie pokie!

5. If you've hired a Band, plan their breaks - You don't want your party to be at its peak then stop because the band leader has to go pee now do you? See if the band members can take breaks in shifts allowing for songs to be played sans that member, or at least have them play up tempo filler music to keep the party going.

4. Have a Game Plan for Kids - If you have kids at your wedding be sure there are things for them to do at a separate table or even a separate room (with a chaperone), like colouring books, playdoh, puzzles and even handheld video games.

3. Keep the Toasts short - "Quality over quantity." "Short and sweet." "Less is more."

These are popular sayings for a reason people.

2. Order Good Food - Get creative.

There are tons of options now other than your standard chicken, beef or pasta. Talk with your caterer or Banquet manager and see what they can produce for you that would be different and unique. If you want to stick to the classic meat and potato - try having a baked potato bar and or a meat carving station. Be different. I dare ya!

And the #1 Secret to a fun Reception is.....

Hire A Day of Coordinator - Having a professional on site for your wedding is one of the smartest decisions you'll make in regards to making your Reception stress free, seamless and fun!

After all, you've thought about all aspects of your wedding in fine detail including the top 9 secrets, right?

So, make sure that your wedding goes as planned and put your trust in a dedicated professional that wants you to have the day you always dreamed of.

Surprise...it's a wedding!

We were on-site for Alexis and Kevin's SURPRISE wedding! It all took place at Swing Restaraunt at Lochness Links in Welland on October 10th.

How did they pull off a surprise???

Alexis and Kevin have been together for a while and wanted as little fuss as possible to surround their planning process. In February I met with Alexis to hear about her idea and I was instantly intriqued and wanted to be a part of this event. In the months leading up to her big day she sourced vendors and made all the plans herself - all the while telling people she was planning a surprise 35th birthday party for Kevin.

It wasn't until 3 weeks before their wedding that they informed their mothers and siblings - and it wasn't until the morning of October 10th that friends were asked to be in the wedding party! They kept everything a secret (well, except from me and the other vendors hired) - and they pulled it off!!!

Here's how it all went down....

• Alexis & Kevin got engaged and wanted a different wedding that wouldn't be filled with "but you know", or "I had/ I did" or "you should/ I would"...they wanted a wedding their way and without all the fuss of showers and stags.
• Alexis realized that she couldn't execute this event on her own, so she hired us for Day of Coordination.We help 'you' be at 2 places at once.
• Vendors were hired (Venue, DJ, Photographer, Officiant, Florist, Baker & a Band)
• Multiple meetings were had - with Alexis & I - and with Alexis, Kevin, myself, my Assistant & Adam from Swing Restaruant - we planned, we coordinated and we hoped that their secret stayed a secret.
• Email invites went out to their guests "You're invited to Kevin's 35th Birthday Party" - rsvp's came in.
• Phone calls and texts were had leading up to the big day - some changes made to timeline, plans, etc

And then, it' was the day of....

Kevin's friends think they are taking him to Toronto for the day as a 'party' decoy - they arrive at his house to be told "today is my wedding boys, suit up!"

Alexis is at The Keefer Mansion getting ready with her Mom, sister and friends.

She looked beautiful, don't you think?

My Assistant Samantha and I stopped in with Alexis to see how she was doing and to get the Marriage Licence and other final documents. We then headed over to Swing to set up for the event. We placed centrepieces out. We made sure the Vanity Care baskets were in the washrooms. We made sure everything was were it was meant to be placed/set-up and that the Chocolate Bar was displayed according to Alexis' plans.

The Chocolate Bar was a replacement for a Wedding (or should I say, Birthday) cake. I think that it was a fabulous idea and since the couple love chocolate, it was a perfect detail for their special day!

Flowers arrived, cupcakes arrived, the DJ came, and so did the Band. The Officiant showed up - and all we had to do was wait for the Bride & Groom.

It was pretty funny to see guests arrive in semi- formal and casual clothes bearing birthday presents for Kevin. Some people were whispering and wondering if something was up, but Samantha, myself, the rest of the vendors and the Swing staff kept the story straight - it was Kevin's birthday party.

When the Bride & Groom and wedding party arrived, I met them outside while Samantha told the Officiant that it was 'show time'. Howard, their Officiant made an announcement that "the guest of honour" had arrived and then.....SURPRISE!..and in walked Kevin & Alexis hand-in-hand in their tux and gown! Guests were shocked, but everyone cheered in such delight - it was AWESOME! Immediately the couple conducted their ceremony in the middle of the dance floor. Once they were pronounced Husband and Wife there was a flood of applause and everyone couldn't wait to congratulate them and of course ask how they pulled this off.

Congratulations to Alexis and Kevin for planning and hosting a fabulous party! You both did a stellar job in planning one of the most unique and memorable events. I'm so pleased and honoured that we were included.

Thank you.

*Photos provided by Robert Collins of Adjusting Light

Next blog post will showcase the Photo Op that Alexis & Kevin had set up for guests after the 'surprise' was revealed.

10 Secrets to a fun Reception

10 Secrets to a fun Reception....

titles originally thought by the Knot...the other added fuss is by us.

10. Plan a Surprise - Unexpected entertainment such as dancers or a magician. Or by adding theme friendly add-ons like a cigar roller, photo booth or dove release.

9. Keep Your Guests Fuelled - As the party continues and drinks are consumed you'll want to make sure there is some late night food available. Check out our post about unique treats here.

8. Give Out Party Favours - Just like you would for a child's birthday party, give your guests something fun to play with! Party hats, crowns and tiaras, noise makers, sunglasses or even have a sparkler send-off as you leave as Mr. & Mrs.

7. Add a Lounge to your Reception - Give guests a spot to relax and kick up their heels before and during your reception. This set up is very popular for cocktail receptions and tent weddings.

6. Make sure you and your DJ have the same tastes - No one wants to hear DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning' tunes from Barney's sing-a-long, or the hokie pokie!

5. If you've hired a Band, plan their breaks - You don't want your party to be at its peak then stop because the band leader has to go pee now do you? See if the band members can take breaks in shifts allowing for songs to be played sans that member, or at least have them play up tempo filler music to keep the party going.

4. Have a Game Plan for Kids - If you have kids at your wedding be sure there are things for them to do at a separate table or even a separate room (with a chaperone), like colouring books, playdoh, puzzles and even handheld video games.

3. Keep the Toasts short - "Quality over quantity." "Short and sweet." "Less is more."
These are popular sayings for a reason people.

2. Order Good Food - Get creative.

There are tons of options now other than your standard chicken, beef or pasta. Talk with your caterer or Banquet manager and see what they can produce for you that would be different and unique. If you want to stick to the classic meat and potato - try having a baked potato bar and or a meat carving station. Be different. I dare ya!

And the #1 Secret to a fun Reception is.....

Hire A Day of Coordinator - Having a Wedding Planner on site for your wedding is one of the smartest decisions you'll make in regards to making your Reception stress free, seamless and fun!

After all, you've thought about all aspects of your wedding in fine detail including the top 9 secrets, right?

So, make sure that your wedding goes as planned and put your trust in a dedicated professional that wants you to have the day you always dreamed of.