Reception Trends 2011

Forget the photo booth! It eats up a big portion of your budget and your photographer can do a version of it for no extra charge.

When you book with Melissa Z Photography, we can arrange with the reception venue to hang a fun background that reflects your style to get those photos for your guest book, formal or funky. We can either have each family of guests photographed after you welcome them in the receiving line, or have the dj announce a specific time which I'll be available for 'photo booth' like photos. Bring party props and enjoy the funny photos right along with the rest of your day online and on your DVD.

Create Fun for Everyone You've discussed the open bar/cash bar options, but what are those who can't celebrate with alcohol?

• Food bars - be it coffee, candy or desert...everyone will have fun creating their own concoctions
  
• For the kids - see if your venue has a tv/dvd player available so kid's movies can be played, throw pillows and blankets on the floor and you have a safe place for the kids to hang out
• Games - one of this years biggest reception trends, see below for more ideas
• Party Dance Songs - as a photographer the more of these played the more likely the bride & groom will have an awesome collection of photos featuring their fam & friends having a great time.
  

My favorites to photograph: Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Shout!, Electric Slide, Chicken Dance - Bride and Groom must join!

Ditch the Slideshow - Creating a slideshow is a touching and personal way to share your love story with your guests, but it takes time away from socializing and slows down the evening's fun.

Try one of these alternatives instead:

• Display framed photos on ladder rungs
• Clothes pin photos on a clothes line between two trees or on a pretty ribbon on a venue wall
• Create custom banners featuring your fav photos - great ideas in Brides magazine March 2011
• Instead of table numbers, use a photograph, it'll encourage guests to mingle at other tables too
• If you must have a slideshow, allow it to play on a loop during the cocktail hour, instead of dedicating a set time for it during/after dinner.
  

The hottest reception trend? Games - from croquet to horseshoes to the limbo. The only stipulation: the bride and groom must join in on the fun!

Think school yard fun and your reception will be more entertaining and interactive than a select few joining you out on the dance floor.

• If the reception is outdoors, set up horseshoes, a bocce court, bean bag toss, or croquet game during cocktail hour.

• If the party's inside, have a hula-hoop contest, limbo, or a round of "Dance! Freeze!"
  

64% of guests say the entertainment (not the food) is what they remember most about weddings.