What is the MOST important element of a wedding reception....location, views, food, DJ, photographer?

Question

and what element do you think could be minimized or eliminated?

Answer 1

the most important is the reception because that is what you will remember for the rest of your life the least important is the views becuase if your in a building your not gonna walk outside and say "hey look at the trees"

Answer 2

Photographer, Location, Food, DJ. Don't worry about the view. My husband gave me two weeks to plan my wedding! What a flurry of activity! And little budget to go on. I went to a bridal shop that rents out bridal gowns and tuxedos. She fixed us right up. The rings were a Kmart special (which has lasted for 15 years and is very pretty!) My brother-in-law is a preacher. Our college had a chapel with an attached reception hall. So we got married there and walked over to the reception. My dad and family are excellent cooks. My best friend is a beautician. And my karaoke plays cd's & tapes. It may all sound tacky but it was very beautiful and cost less than $500.00. My husband has family in Mexico which is where we honeymooned.

Answer 3

Really, only you can decide this. If it were me, I'd concentrate my funds first on a photographer, because a good photographer can overcome the deficiencies in location and/or views, and the pictures are going to last longer than anything else. I'd then make darned sure the food was good, because while people will remember fantastic food, they're going to be more likely to remember bad food, and won't really think about ho-hum food one way or another. So those 2 areas are where I wouldn't skimp my money, but you may feel differently. Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

the bride and groom are the most important. you can cut down costs by having your wedding on on "off" day meaning not on a saturday or friday night. try doing a mid day wedding and have a buffet as opposed to a seated dinner. get a dj for only a few hours not the whole time. see if you can get a photographer who will do a set price and pictures as opposed to being at the wedding the whole time. i did that for my wedding she took 100 pictures(some color some black/white) some of the ceremony some of the cake eating some posed shots and it cost $500. this was as opposed to $2500 for her to be there all day. i got great pictures and i had those cameras on the tables and got good shots from those too. get favors on ebay as well as things like guest book(or signature frame which i did and loved). instead of an open bar do a cash bar. also invite less people. know anyone who has a limo, or car service? anyone who can make a cake for you, or can arrange flowers for you?

Answer 5

The food is really the most important - it's to be a banquet of celebration! Secondly, I would say the music - it has to set the mood, be suitable for all ages and all types of dancing; this can make or break a great reception. Don't spend a lot of money on professional photography; just not worth it. Location and view mean nothing.

Answer 6

The most important element of a wedding reception is the guests. Without them you don't have a reception. No matter what you want, do consider your quests, it has to be worth the time and money they spend to be there....Also, put a disposable camera on each table and do away with the photographer....loosen up and have some fun!

Answer 7

The first dance and cutting the wedding cake.

I don't suggest you eliminate too much but try to keep it low-key. The wedding should be serious and the reception a time for families to mingle and get to know each other. This works best in an unstructured environment. A few party favors to keep the guests entertained and a belt full of speeches between the bride, groom, best man and bride's maids are all you really need. Give everyone cheap, disposable cameras too so that you can catch those candid wedding scenes.

Answer 8

Besides of course family, I would have to say photographer. The photographs are the only part of the reception that last beyond that day. No one is going to remember the food or the dj. The photographs will be a constant reminder, a memory, a keepsake that can be shared with all of your family and friends, just as your wedding day itself was.

Answer 9

food and location are first, followed by entertainment. If you are not having a dance, the DJ could be replaced by a stereo playing soft dinner music. A photographer is one of the most disposible - instead, have some disposible wedding cameras available and let the guests take pictures. You can even rent digital ones for $20 each, and then you oly hav eto print out the ones that you want to have!

Answer 10

Cheryl,

the fact that you're asking this question indicates to me that you already know the answer......

THE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT (ie. DJ or live band) will make or break the reception.

It always bewilders me, as a wedding vendor myself, that brides will only spend 5% of their budget on a DJ, even though the DJ-emcee will be responsible for 65% or more of the event's success!

Polls taken of brides AFTER their wedding (Modern Bride magazine, et al)........show that over 60% of brides wish they had spent more $ on the Entertainment portion of their function.

People who go to weddings don't remember the food, the flowers, the decorations, or the cake. What they DO remember, is whether or not they had a good time!

A non-cheesy DJ - emcee will be the "glue" that makes everything come together. Rather than drawing attention to himself, a good Mobile Disc Jockey will actually put the Newlyweds in the spotlight, by announcing the various events (such as the speeches, toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, first dance, father/bride dance, mother/groom dance, anniversary dance, money/dollar/honeymoon dance, etc).

As to that person who said "The DJ can be easily replaced by an Ipod or home stereo"....obviously that person has never been to a wedding that was ruined by lack of a Master Of Ceremonies (emcee).

Good luck with your wedding Cheryl.........I hope more brides have the foresight and thoughtfulness that you seem to be putting into your once-in-a-lifetime event!