|
There are many things to
consider when planning your reception. We have put together
a list of topics that we think, you shout read and discuss with your
partner before making any decisions. Once you have outlined
the style and size of your reception please talk to us and
let us know how we can assist you. We are able to organize
the whole event for you or point out venues & caterers that
you can contact. There are a multitude of possible
venues on Phuket, just let us know
your required locations and kind of venue and will will find
the right place for you.
 The
reception is a party where all your guests come together to
celebrate your new life as a married couple. It should
reflect and complement the formality of your ceremony. The
selection of a reception site will depend on its
availability, price, proximity to the ceremony site, and the
number of people it will accommodate.
Options: Private homes, rental villas, gardens, hotels,
clubs, restaurants, beaches, parks, & yachts are some of the
more popular choices for receptions.
HORS D' OEUVRES
At receptions where a full meal is to be served, hors d'
oeuvres may be offered to guests during the first hour of
the reception. However, at a tea or cocktail reception, hors
d' oeuvres will be the "main course." There are many options
for hors d' oeuvres, depending on the formality of your
reception and the type of food to be served at the meal.
Popular items are foods that can easily be picked up and
eaten with one hand. Hors d' oeuvres may be set out on
tables "buffet style" for guests to help themselves, or they
may be passed around on trays by waiters and waitresses.
 MAIN
MEAL / CATERER
If your reception is going to be in a hotel, restaurant or
other facility that provides food, you will need to select a
meal to serve your guests. Most of these facilities will
have a predetermined menu from which to select your meal. If
your reception is going to be in a facility that does not
provide food, you will need to hire an outside caterer. The
caterer will be responsible for preparing, cooking,
decorating and serving the food.
The caterer will also be responsible for beverages and for
cleaning up after the event. Before signing a contract, make
sure you understand all the services the caterer will
provide. Your contract should state the amount and type of
food and beverages that will be served, the way in which
they will be served, the number of servers who will be
available, the cost per item or person.
Food can be served either buffet style or as a sit-down
meal. It should be chosen according to the time of day and
formality of the wedding. Although there are many main
dishes to choose from, chicken and beef are the most popular
selections for a large event. Ask your facility manager or
caterer for their specialty. If you have a special type of
food you would like to serve at your reception, select a
facility or caterer who specializes in preparing it.
 LIQUOR
/ BEVERAGES
Prices for liquor and beverages vary greatly, depending on
the amount and brand of alcohol served. Traditionally, at
least champagne or punch should be served to toast the
couple.
White and red wines, scotch, vodka, gin, rum, and beer are
the most popular alcoholic beverages. Sodas and fruit punch
are popular nonalcoholic beverages served at receptions. And
of course, don't forget coffee or tea. There are a number of
options and variations for serving alcoholic beverages: a
full open bar where you pay for your guests to drink as much
as they wish; an open bar for the first hour, followed by a
cash bar where guests pay for their own drinks; cash bar
only; beer and wine only; nonalcoholic beverages only; or
any combination thereof. Most caterers or hotels offer a fix
price for "open bar" which is quite expensive or you per per
consumption.
 WEDDING
CAKE
Wedding cakes may be ordered from a caterer or from a
bakery. Some hotels and restaurants may also be able to
provide a wedding cake. However, you will probably be better
off ordering your cake from a bakery that specializes in
wedding cakes. Ask to see photographs of other wedding cakes
your baker has created, and by all means, ask for a tasting!
When ordering your cake, you will have to decide not only on
a flavor, but also on a size, shape and color. Size is
determined by the number of guests. You can choose from one
large tier to two, three, or more smaller tiers. The cake
can be round, square or heart-shaped. The most common
flavors are chocolate, carrot, lemon, rum, and "white"
cakes. You can be creative by adding a filling to your cake,
such as custard, strawberry, or chocolate. You may also want
to consider having tiers of different flavors.
PARTY FAVORS
Party favors are little gift items given to your guests as
mementos of your wedding. They add a very special touch to
your wedding and can become keepsakes for your guests.
DISPOSABLE CAMERAS
A great way to inexpensively obtain many candid photographs
of your wedding day is to place a disposable 35 mm camera
loaded with film on each table at your reception, and to
have your guests take shots of the event!
FIREWORKS/FLYING LANTERNS
Fireworks create a very dramatic atmosphere and are
often used to symbolize a grant finale or end of the
reception. Flying Lanterns are very popular in Asia and give
a very romantic touch to your reception.
 RECEPTION
MUSIC
There are many options for reception music: you can hire a
DJ, a band, or any combination of one or more instruments
and vocalists.
If you need a large variety of music to satisfy all your
guests, consider hiring a DJ. A professional DJ can play any
type of music and may even offer a light show. Make sure you
give him/her a list of the songs you want played at your
reception and a timeline for playing each one. Also make
sure s/he has a complete timeline for your reception so s/he
knows when to announce the various events such as the
toasts, first dance, and cutting of the cake. |
