Wedding Reception Ideas

Inspiration for planning the perfect wedding party for you and your guests!

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Martha Stewart Weddings

100 Layer Cake

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21 Alternative Entertainment Ideas for a Wedding Reception

Consider these unique wedding entertainment ideas to keep guests busy when they're not out on the dance floor.

a living room filled with lots of furniture and hanging lights over the top of it

California Desert Wedding

Wedding Party Planning

Disco balls were mixed in with the black rattan lanterns over the dance floor to throw light around and add a punch of sparkle that mimicked Rachel’s dress. "My sister designed the dance floor pattern to resemble beautiful Spanish tiles," the bride says. "That dance floor, combined with a ceiling of pendants and disco balls, made for the best party!" See more from Rachel and Alex's Santa Barbara celebration at the link in our bio. 📷: @elliekoleen 📋: @array_creative_design 🌸: @goingsteadystud...

A Wedding with a Fun Party Vibe

a group of people that are sitting around a table

Hanging Floral Installation

Container Gardening Flowers

Double Wedding

This Couple Hosted a Colorful Double Wedding Dinner Celebration in Napa Valley That Was Pure Joy

"Our table florals continued the colorful and organic vibes from our ceremony flowers; I loved how [our florist] Amanda included different sizes and styles of vessels for a result that was collected yet intentional," the bride says. "We were having a hard time selecting lighting. Amanda suggested a hanging floral installation instead of [a chandelier], and it felt so natural and organic. We felt so lucky to get to have dinner with our loved ones sitting underneath the beautiful florals.

the table is set with white and gold plates, silverware, and floral centerpieces

Converted Greenhouse

Low Floral Centerpieces

Night Tables

Dinner Reception

The Manor House

This Couple Felt Like They Got Married 'Inside a Painting'—See Their Dreamy Portugal Wedding Here

A pink manor house in Sintra, Portugal, set the scene for this magical wedding. See the details here, from the ceremony under an olive tree and the dinner reception in a greenhouse to the fireworks during cake cutting.

a large red building surrounded by lots of trees

Martha Stewart Weddings

This Couple Felt Like They Got Married 'Inside a Painting'—See Their Dreamy Portugal Wedding Here

This Michigan Wedding Used a Signature Scent for a Personalized Touch

The bride and groom hand-poured over 400 candles to use for decor, favors, and more.

a table set up for a wedding reception with flowers on it and the words 52 tips for planning your wedding reception

Wedding Planning Tips

Floral Centerpieces

52 Tips for Planning Your Wedding Reception

You might think that once you've planned your ceremony, preparing for the reception will be a piece of wedding cake. As exciting as the process can be, though, organizing the party portion of your wedding day requires a lot of work. With plenty of vendors, venues, menu selections, and décor ideas to choose from (and seating arrangements to consider!) the reception planning process requires collaboration, attention to detail, and lots of up-front preparation.

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a wooden tripod with flowers hanging from the ceiling

Book Backdrop

Photo Booth Backdrop Wedding

Booth Backdrops

Wedding Photo Booth Props

Inventive Ways to Revamp Your Wedding Photo Booth

Today, there are so many ways to make a photo booth, and the sweet photographs they yield, your own. Plus, they often work double-duty: They keep guests entertained during your cocktail hour and reception and provide keepsakes that make great favors.

If you want to ensure that everyone leaves with plenty to look back on, it's important to create opportunities for taking gorgeous, memorable images. Father Daughter Poses, Flagging Tape, Photo Booth Backdrops, Diy Wedding Photo Booth, Diy Photo Booth Backdrop, Diy Photo Backdrop, Garland Backdrops

Father Daughter Poses

Flagging Tape

Photo Booth Backdrops

Diy Wedding Photo Booth

Diy Photo Booth Backdrop

Diy Photo Backdrop

Garland Backdrops

Creative Wedding Backdrop Ideas to Consider for Your Own Ceremony

If you want to ensure that everyone leaves with plenty to look back on, it's important to create opportunities for taking gorgeous, memorable images.

a group of men in white suits and hats playing instruments under an archway with a light hanging from the ceiling

Mariachi Wedding

Fiesta Engagement Party

Elegant Mexican Wedding

Engagement Vibes

Charro Wedding

Maquillage Halloween Simple

Mexican Inspired Wedding

Mexican Themed Weddings

Band Playing

21 Alternative Entertainment Ideas for a Wedding Reception

When considering alternative entertainment for your wedding, pick something that speaks to your event's theme.

a large banquet hall with long tables and couches set up for an elegant dinner

Wedding Table Layouts

Dinner Planner

Wedding Color Palette Summer

Romantic Wedding Venue

Reception Seating

Summer Wedding Colors

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Color Palette

21 Romantic wedding venues in the US | Most romantic venues

Romantic wedding venues in the US - Ferry Building wedding

a man and woman sitting at a table with flowers

Wedding Dress Editorial

Dot Wedding Dress

Dress Editorial

Polka Dot Wedding Dress

Polka Dot Wedding Dress Editorial | London Wedding Ideas

bride wearing polka dot wedding dress

a chair sitting in front of a white building with red flowers on the back ground

Pearl Headpiece

Polka Dot Wedding Dress Editorial | London Wedding Ideas

floral wedding cake

a man and woman pose for a photo in front of a silver sequin backdrop

Photo Opportunity Ideas Events

Personalized Wedding Ideas

28 Awesome Wedding Photo Booth Props

Even the most basic, prop-free photo booth will still offer you and your wedding guests the opportunity to have some fun at the reception, but by sourcing a few creative prop options (or even crafting them yourself), your photo station will feel all the more personal.