The wedding reception is arguably as important as the wedding ceremony. Before we dive into the topic for today, I must note that some cultures view wedding receptions as different things. For the most part, it’s the event after the ceremony where everyone gets together and celebrates the marriage with food & entertainment. But, it some places, there’s a wedding meal that comes after the ceremony, followed by a reception in the evening where more guests are invited. To avoid confusion, I’m talking about the first type of wedding reception – dinner, entertainment, and dancing all night long! 

What I’m about to say will sound rude, but it’s the truth; most of your guests look forward to the reception far more than the ceremony. I know, I know, it sounds a bit selfish and mean, but be honest, you feel the same way at other weddings! The reception is an opportunity for everyone to let their hair down and really celebrate this union between the happy couple. There’s not a lot you get to do during the ceremony other than sit down, stand up, and cry happy tears. 

Therefore, your wedding reception needs to be on point. I could run through all the different ideas and themes you can try, but I want to take a different route. Instead, I want to ensure you don’t make some common mistakes when planning your reception. Avoid doing all of the things below, and you should automatically have an excellent reception on your hands!

Not having multiple food options

The wedding meal is what a lot of people look forward to the most. There’s a sense of excitement when you receive your invitation and get to look at the menu. However, mistakes are made when you have limited food options.

What I mean is that you may only have one main course for people to choose. Or, you only have two options. Or, even worse, you don’t have any options for different dietary requirements. Some of my friends are vegetarian and vegan, and they absolutely hate going to weddings with terrible food options for them. Surely, surely, surely, there’s a better option than just plain pasta?!

While everyone else eats a nice roast, the veggies and vegans are eating something entirely different as there’s not a suitable option. Needless to say, this leads to disgruntled guests. I’m not suggesting you need to have ten options for every course, that’s ridiculous! But, maybe two meat-based options plus two veggie options is the best way to go. This way, there are technically four dishes to choose from for most people, and the vegetarians/vegans have two legitimate things to pick as well. 

In turn, you prevent some very disgruntled guests, and everyone gets to enjoy the wedding meal. 

Not having any nibbles 

I promise this list isn’t just food-related! As I was typing the paragraphs above, it made me think about other food at a wedding reception. Obviously, the meal is the main event. But, most people end up eating in the afternoon. Traditionally, wedding ceremonies take place in the late morning, and they’re all wrapped up by around midday – maybe an hour or so later. Then, you travel to the reception venue, wait for everyone to arrive and settle, then get ready for food. It can be 3 or 4 pm before you touch the starter. 

Consequently, all your guests are absolutely starving. In fact, they’re too hungry. They’re hungry to the point where they start to complain and grumble amongst themselves. People are getting whiplash from twisting their necks to quickly check the time every five seconds. When everyone gets restless, it leads to a bad experience. 

To avoid this, make sure you have nibbles around for people to snack on. It shouldn’t be anything crazy of substantial, just a few snacks that they can enjoy while they wait. Tea/coffee and biscuits are a perfect idea. Or, a few bowls of nuts, maybe some fruit, cheese and crackers – you get the idea. Now, if people are feeling peckish, then they at least have something to eat. But, it’s not too much to the point that they’re too full for dinner. 

Also, put out some nibbles and party food in the evening. While the starter could be served at 3 or 4 pm, this means the meal itself will probably be over in under two hours. The wedding reception itself will go on late into the night, so people are bound to get hungry. Later in the evening, lay out platters of typical party food nibbles and small bites. It’ll keep everyone nice and satisfied.

Only having one form of entertainment

Honestly, I could write an entire article on what you should and shouldn’t do when planning your wedding reception entertainment. Oh wait, I have! It’s called the Wedding Entertainment Do’s & Don’ts, and it’s well worth checking out. In the context of this article, there’s one main mistake you should avoid; a lack of entertainment. 

Some people think they can get away with just having a DJ or a band at the reception. Sure, you get people dancing all night long, but there has to be something else as well. Think about entertainment options that people can get involved with whenever they like throughout the evening. Something like a photo booth works perfectly at a wedding. It sits away at the side, and guests can make their way over whenever they like. You’ll find that photo booth hire is relatively inexpensive too, which is always a bonus. Your guests can enjoy themselves making funny poses and using loads of props – it’ll be a right laugh. All the while, you still have music playing and people on the dancefloor. 

Speaking of which, you shouldn’t just rely on DJ’s or bands to make the most out of the musical entertainment. Consider other things to keep the party flowing. For example, karaoke! It’s an age-old classic, and nothing gets the laughter flowing like your drunk Aunt Brenda’s rendition of 500 Miles by The Proclaimers. Group dancing games also work brilliantly, and a dance competition can also make the crowd go wild. 

You’ve got endless wedding entertainment options, so include a variety of things instead of just one. 

Long delays

Finally, we have the most common and frustrating mistake; long delays. I’ve already mentioned this (kind of) when talking about food. The delay between the ceremony and the reception can be lengthy. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do about this because you do have things to do. Part of the delay is down to all the wedding photos being taken, then you may have to drive to the reception destination. 

However, when you arrive, there shouldn’t be another long delay. I went to a wedding recently where we had to wait around two or three hours after the wedding photos were completed because they were getting everything ready. Everything should be set up by the time your guests arrive! Liaise with the caterers and event organisers to make sure this happens. Then, ensure there aren’t any long delays between courses, or between the meal and the evening’s activities. You don’t have to jump straight from a three-course meal into dancing and singing, but make sure something exists to bridge the gap and keep people entertained.

Long delays bring out the worst in people as everyone gets impatient. So, make sure you’ve planned the event properly and have a schedule to stick to. 

If you avoid these four mistakes, then your wedding reception will instantly be much better. Basically, it’s all a case of ensuring you look after your guests and keep them happy. Yes, it’s your special day! However, you don’t want to be sat at your table smiling and laughing while everyone else has a horrible time. 

Ax

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Did you know that the average family wastes around £700 worth of food every year? We may worry more now about plastic waste and general rubbish buildup than ever before, but our food waste caddies are overflowing, and we don’t even know it!

The irony is, of course, the fact that food production is perhaps the worst thing for our environment, creating endless greenhouse gases and using as many as 20,000 litres for one measly kilogram. As such, you could say that our efforts elsewhere are pretty much useless until we turn our attention to the pressing problem of food waste.

Of course, most areas do now offer food recycling, but that in itself doesn’t mean we can keep chucking food away without a thought. This is an especially pressing problem with Christmas fast upon us. At the festive season, more than any other time, we’re guilty of throwing away insane amounts of uneaten grub. 

If you’re spending time thinking about how to have a more sustainable Christmas this year, then, reducing food waste needs to be at the top of your list. Forget cutting back on wrapping paper; keep reading to find out how you can really make a difference when this festive season rolls around.

Buy a crown, not a turkey

There may be something magical about a whole turkey at Christmas, but let’s be honest; very few of us need it. In fact, our turkey carcasses are typically so packed with meat when we chuck them that it’d be considered a crime in any other country. If you strip those bones until they’re shining, then, by all means, buy your whole turkey this season. If, however, you leave a lot of meat, then think again. 

Turkey farming in itself is an enormous environmental strain through the year, and settling for a crown instead can at least help that strain go towards consumption rather than waste. What’s more, crowns contain all the meat most of us get off a whole turkey, anyway! You can even stuff a crown just the same and yet chuck away half the meat in the process. That’s what we call Christmas magic. 

Forget the Christmas pudding

Sad as it might seem, you can probably also do away with the Christmas pudding. Honestly, how often do you actually eat the thing? It’s astounding how few of us get around to this Christmas staple, what with the massive meals, table of chocolates, and mince pies galore. Still, we buy a pudding every year. Our outlandish suggestion is that you just don’t bother this time. Let’s be frank; your guests won’t exactly go without any other nice sweet treats if they fancy them, will they?

Focus on key pieces for your buffet

Christmas evening and boxing day buffets have to be the worst cause for food waste of the whole festive season. We plan elaborate pieces and entire tables filled with food only to, not altogether surprisingly, chuck them out at the end of the day. Worse, the leave-out nature of food like this means we can’t even reuse it! But, there’s an answer to reducing food waste even here, and it comes in the form of focusing on key pieces rather than whole mountains of food. 

While it’s nice to do an impressive spread, there’s simply no need for it. Besides, you can still impress guests by focusing on these few fun, festive party food ideas and others like them. By centering your buffet around these critical pieces instead of countless plates of food, you guarantee the festive wow-factor without putting out enough food to feed an army when everyone’s already full!

Plan meals around your leftovers

This may be an oldie, but it’s a goodie and involves planning leftovers around the food you’ve got for the foreseeable after the Christmas period. As well as helping you to reduce wastage drastically, this is ideal for getting you off the cooking hook for the rest of the holidays. What’s not to love? 

Don’t think, either, that leftovers have to mean eating the same old thing for weeks on end. A turkey and cranberry sandwich or two probably won’t go amiss, but you can also get creative here. Why not make turkey curries, stews, and soups? Shove those extra brussels in a pasta dish, or get creative with a brussel sprout hash. The Christmas leftover world is your oyster. Make the most of it this year to keep your caddy empty for (most of) the festive season. 

Ax

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It’s the pleasure of every parent to be able to get creative and put together a room for their children. Their bedroom has to be a place of calm, serenity and relaxation to promote sleep and – for some children – a haven to study or be creative. If you want to make the perfect bedroom for your children, there’s a lot of elements to consider before you get started. There are different bedroom types for different ages, and you should ensure that you do the best you can, depending on the age of your child.

It’s time to get your thinking cap on and embrace that creative streak of yours when it comes to bedroom planning, but let’s go through some of the elements that you could use in this haven for your child. 

Study Zone

Your older kids who are at school need to be able to do their schoolwork somewhere that doesn’t include the rest of the household, so creating a study zone is in their best interest. Building in a desk in a well-lit area is a good start, but make sure that you have a ton of storage ready, with the technology that they need to be successful in their studies. You should also ensure that you choose supportive seating and a footrest for added comfort.

A Cosy Den

Children of all ages can benefit from a place to relax, and it doesn’t have to be on their bed. Giant floor pillows and blankets piled in the corner under a canopy or tent is a good place to start. You can then string battery-powered fairy lights underneath and make it a comfortable little den in which to relax, read and even listen to music. Make sure you go for the softest fabrics and chunky knits here, as you want them to have the perfect space in which to relax. 

Low Maintenance Options

Your child – no matter what their age – is going to have moments of clumsiness. Drinks spill easily, paint pots fall down and the last thing you want is for it to land on your carpets. Solid wood flooring offers a great solution for this, with it being easy to clean and look fantastic in their bedroom. It makes sense to add some fluffy rugs if you want to maintain that softness and added insulation to their bedroom.

Thick Curtains

Children and sleep go hand in hand – most of the time. If there is one thing that any child’s bedroom needs, it’s blackout curtains. Blackout curtains are a necessity, especially with younger children, as they block out the light and promote the right sleeping environment. You don’t have to buy black, either. You can buy blackout curtains in any colour and style that matches the room. They have a panel attached to the back of them, which makes them thicker and thus able to block out all the light that comes in through the window.

Colour Choices

Your child will likely want to have an input on the colours that you paint their room, especially if they’re older. However, for toddlers who don’t have much of a say, try to stay away from the traditional pink and blue. Pastel colours can make even the smallest room look airy and light. If you go for pale options in greens and yellows, you can invoke a feeling of calm and relaxation. Natural light and artificial light can bounce off of the walls better, allowing the room to look much bigger, too.

Storage Is A Must!

Toys, clothes, books, DVDs – children come with a lot of stuff. Even the baby of the house will have more clothes and Muslin cloths than you ever thought you’d need to buy. Storage can be done cleverly, with storage inside a bed (think divan beds with drawers) or even very clever closet storage ideas that hide everything away. You can free up a lot of floor space with the right storage, just plan it properly and you’ll be ready to go.

Duvets, Pillows and Blankets, Oh My!

Lastly, you need layers. On the bed, the cosy den and even the floor, layers are a must. Think giant pillows and blankets, rugs on the floor and even fabric mini tapestries on the walls. Your child’s bedroom needs to reflect their personality, but it also needs to be warm and cosy. The more you layer, the cosier it is. The perfect throw is out there; all you need to do is find it quickly!

Ax

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We’ve all had those days where we’ve been expected to be ‘on it’ all day. When there’s a day of busy meetings booked and you’re meeting the in-laws for dinner right after work and you don’t have time to go home and change. 

Particularly in the winter, it was often necessary to change in the toilets (or at least find an empty office somewhere) in order to wrap up warm for the PM, but with a little patience and the right accessories, you should be able to make the transition from day to night effortlessly and go from work mode to party mode in seconds flat! 

So, here are a few wardrobe essentials that can be worn at work, casually and on an evening out. The ‘everything and nothing’ outfit, if you will.

A Smart Blazer

A blazer is an elegant option for any situation that can say anything from formal and practical to footloose and fancy-free depending on what you pair it with. Wear a smart women’s blazer with cropped trousers and you can simply button it up during the day and get away with wearing almost anything underneath. Just pop it open when you’ve finished work.

The Classic Pencil Skirt

The classic go-to for the office ensemble can quite comfortably work as a post-work piece too as long as the styling is right. Opt for a longer dress that can be turned up or dropped as the temperature or the location dictates and you can swap out tops to match.

Fleece Coats 

There is nothing that says “winter glamour” quite like a fleece coat and the best thing about them is that they suit almost anything. A great fleece can be popped on over your work outfit and you’ll instantly look the part. It can also go surprisingly well with heels. Speaking of which.

Heels

Finding a pair of heels that you’ll actually want to wear all day is a challenge, but once you’ve found that perfect pair you’ll be over the moon. Of course, stilettos are probably out of the question, but if you stick to a thicker heel you might be able to make it for 24 hours.

Jumpsuits

An incredibly flexible item of clothing that can be layered during the day and worn without a t-shirt in the evening, the winter jumpsuit is something that keeps falling in and out of fashion but will never be out of style. In the cold weather, it’s also a wise choice as it keeps you covered up!

The Right Handbag

Finally, a decent handbag that can contain an emergency pair of flats and enough makeup to glam yourself up after a tough day at work is an absolute necessity. A large designer handbag with a lot of space will really make your winter wardrobe more fashionable and functional.

Ax

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