Top Ten Wedding Reception Tips

#1 Be true to your personality.

Couples should feel comfortable at their own reception. Follow family traditions if those are important to you, but not because you feel pressured by family or guest expectations. For instance, if you don't want to be introduced or visit each table during dinner, then don't. Instead, mingle with your guests during cocktails.

#2 Create a natural flow.

The reception should fit into the overall flow of the wedding. Try to move from one area to another. Have the ceremony in one room (if not in a church or temple), select a different area for cocktails and finally designate a room just for dinner and dancing. Guests get bored easily so keep them moving to different areas to keep it interesting.

#3 Don't fight the venue's colors.

If you have the main reception indoors, such as a ballroom, find out the room's colors then work with them. Selecting flowers, attire and other elements that complement the room will provide added punch and present a tasteful, "pulled-together" look and feel to the reception.

#4 Keep things lively.

Never let guests enter a silent room. Keep things continuously moving by spreading out special dances and having dance sets between courses. And, remember to have some type of music playing at all times.

#5 Scatter toasts throughout.

If you plan on more than one toast, scatter them throughout the reception. There's nothing worse than a long, drawn-out series of toasts to interrupt the flow and liveliness of the celebration.

#6 Make the tables dazzle.

Use floor length linen. With a simple square cloth on the table, guests will immediately notice the gap around the bottom of the table and the room will not look finished. Candles are a must for evening weddings, but make sure to use an odd number of candles.

#7 No half-hearted flower arrangements.

Don't penny pinch with flowers. No single buds in a small vase on a 60-inch round table! If you don't have the budget for flowers or they aren't your "thing," consider another creative centerpiece such as candles, stones or other decorative items. In the fall, for example, scattered pumpkins intertwined with a wide blue velvet ribbon can look unique and elegant.

#8 Plan appropriate seating.

Don't request informal food stations, but then insist on formal dinner seating with assigned tables and place cards. Food stations imply informality, so scatter high and low cocktail tables to compliment the food stations and encourage mingling and conversation.

#9 A sweetheart table may be right for you.

Many brides are finding that a table for two provides them with some privacy while allowing guests to visit them at their table. The bridal party and parents may be seated at several tables nearby with significant others, which satisfies everyone's table needs.

#10 Leave with a bang.

You want your reception to end on a high note and not fizzle out. Leave before your guests, and don't wait until the last stragglers are dancing on the floor and the band is packing up. Invite your guests to see you off by throwing rose petals or blowing bubbles.