Wedding Reception Ideas

We break down everything you need to know about planning your wedding reception—from the basics like setting your wedding budget and finding a reception venue to the small (but important!) details like table setting ideas, place cards, wedding favors, and reception playlist ideas. Plus, we share helpful tips for making your seating chart!

flower cart wedding favors

54 Creative Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Be Excited to Take Home

groom placing a record on a turntable

12 Retro Wedding Trends That Are Making a Comeback, According to Event Planners

colorful folded table napkins

7 Wedding Napkin Folds That Will Elevate Your Tablescapes

Father of the Bride Speeches That Knocked It Out of the Park

three-tiered wedding cake with frosting flowers

29 New Takes on Traditional Wedding Cake Flavors

signature cocktails named after dogs

35 Signature Drinks That Will Personalize Your Cocktail Hour

wedding games giant dice

Fun Wedding Games That'll Keep Guests Laughing

welcome box lisa zeising abby jiu laurynprattes

49 Welcome Bags From Real Weddings

lace flutter sleeve wedding gown

30 Casual Wedding Ideas for Your Low-Key Big Day

wedding reception tent

52 Tips for Planning Your Wedding Reception

simple white wedding cake with florals on wooden table

48 Small Wedding Cakes with a Big Presence

wedding buffet table with my fair lady quote on sign

Our 19 Most Inventive Ideas for Your Wedding Buffet

kati erik wedding reception space

How to Choose Between Bare Wood or Linen-Covered Tables at Your Wedding

ice cream sandwich

Unexpected Wedding Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love

raw edge linen seating chart hanging on tree

Four Essential Etiquette Tips to Keep in Mind as You Create Your Wedding Seating Chart

hayleigh corey wedding donuts trailer

29 Food Trucks and Mobile Bars That Can Roll Right Up to Your Wedding

white painted wedding cake

50 Beautiful Wedding Cakes That Are (Almost!) Too Pretty to Eat

pizza appetizer

Unique Passed Appetizers Guaranteed to Elevate Your Cocktail Hour

blini with caviar

25 Wedding Finger Foods That Will Satisfy Every Palate

white cake on table surrounded by floral arrangements

25 Wedding Cake Ideas That'll Wow Your Guests

wedding escort display nuts

Wedding Food and Drink Walls That Will Elevate Your Cocktail Hour and Reception

Wall of ceramic houses for guests to take home

30 Wedding Seating Chart Ideas That Will Impress Your Guests

Reception Toasts

Choosing Wine for Your Wedding

woman standing in garden in wedding dress- classic hair and makeup

The Best (and Worst) Foods to Have in the Bridal Suite Before Your Wedding

lori john wedding california dancing

78 First Dance Songs from Real Weddings

bride and groom cake sharing at reception

The 7 Best Wedding Cake Flavors, According to Professional Bakers

his and hers drinks cocktails perry vaile bride groom wedding smiles

30 His and Hers Cocktails to Inspire Your Own Signature Drink

37 Edible Wedding Favors Guests Will Eat Up (Literally!)

wedding croquembouche dessert adorned with white roses

Wedding Cake Alternatives for the Couple Who Just Doesn't Like Cake

How to Preserve the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake

jessica aaron cocktail hour appetizer tray

How Many Passed Appetizers Should We Serve During Cocktail Hour?

cocktail hour foods

21 Cocktail Hour Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love

molly michael wedding reception

Affordable Wedding Centerpieces That Still Look Elevated

wedding champagne towers on silver platter with roses

21 Champagne Towers to Copy for Your Own Wedding Reception

How Much Alcohol Should We Serve at the Wedding Reception?

flower seeds

15 Wedding Symbols That Represent New Beginnings

sea foam and coral wedding brunch place setting

50 Ideas for an Unforgettable Post-Wedding Brunch

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23 Bottles of Bubbly to Pop on Your Wedding Day

gold and white place settings with blue linens and floral centerpieces

24 Wedding Table Settings to Inspire Your Own

elegant tent wedding reception with orange and wooden decor

When's the Right Time to Finalize Your Wedding Reception's Floor Plan?

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29 Destination Wedding Favors Inspired by Travel

elegant white wedding sign for unplugged ceremony on beach

Three Things You Can't Overlook If You're Having Your Ceremony and Reception in Two Different Locations

guest signing guest book

45 Guest Books From Real Weddings

Perfect Honey and Cheese Pairings

all-white two-tier floral accent cake

Does a Dummy Wedding Cake Really Save You Money?

jackie ben wedding reception dessert table

How to Style Your Wedding Cake Table

dessert table with cake and small bites

49 Dessert Table Ideas From Real Weddings

fall cocktails carol olivia

20 Signature Cocktails Perfect for Your Fall Wedding

lindsay evan wedding boxes with ribbon

33 Festive Fall Wedding Favor Ideas

open bar wine bottles

Everything You Need to Know About Bringing Your Own Alcohol to the Wedding

wedding cake

How Big Does Your Wedding Cake Really Need to Be?

father toasting bride and groom

A Shy Dad's Guide to Giving the Perfect Wedding Speech

guests eating oysters

23 Delicious Food Bars for Your Wedding

Guests Clinking Champagne Flutes During Toast

For the Moms: Here's How to Write an Amazing Mother-of-the-Bride or -Groom Toast

vanilla cupcakes with white frosting and green leaves

24 Wedding Cupcakes That Will Wow Your Guests

pizza truck

26 Delicious Wedding Ideas for Couples Crazy About Pizza

cotton candy

25 Delicious Ways to Serve Carnival Food at Your Wedding

30 Naked Cakes for Your Wedding

wedding exits smoke bombs

28 Unique Ideas for Your Wedding Exit

happy bride and groom

32 Unique Ideas for Winter Wedding Favors

wedding lounge beige and orange couch and flowers

32 Wedding Lounge Ideas Your Guests Can Cozy Up To

Lucite place card holders

20 Unique Place Card Holders to Elevate Your Reception Tables

Explore Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Wedding Traditions & Rituals Wedding Ceremony Ideas Wedding Décor & Details Wedding Songs & Music