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A to Z of the Modern Reception Following our guide to planning your nuptials, and the wedding will be as easy as A, B, C…
A is for ASAP
As with any major project, planning is essential and the sooner you get started the better. If you want to hold your wedding on a Saturday, bank holiday or during the summer and winter holidays prepare to wait as some venues can be booked years in advance.
Either decide on a date and go with the venue and services that are available or narrow it down to a month or even season and book the closest available date at your favourite venue.
B is for Budget
Keep a close eye on your budget as the reception is usually the most costly part of a wedding and the budget can quickly spiral out of control as you get swept away with the excitement. Take note of everything you spend money on, from the large expenses such as the meal, flowers and drink reception, to the smallest details like napkins, thank you gifts and disposable cameras, as it all adds up. If you find you have overspent in one area, be prepared to make sacrifices in another.
C is for Cake
Modern brides are creating fun, personalised cakes that often incorporate several tiers of different flavours. Why not mix the traditional fruit cake up with more unusual flavours such as champagne, ginger and carrot cake and swap the usual white icing for a pearlescent icing to add a lustrous finish. Alternatively, skip the sponge cake altogether and create a cake from cheese,
fruit or a selection of mini desserts.
D is for drinks Reception
The drinks reception is a great opportunity to personalise your wedding rece ption. A champagne and strawberry reception remains the classic choice, Pimms is popular during the summer months and mulled wine is a winner in winter. Add some signature style by asking the bar to serve a unique cocktail created just for your day or go for a modern beer and wine rendezvous.
E is for Entertainment
This is where you get to have some fun. Yes a disco and DJ is fine, but why stop there? Have a string quartet or harpist to serenade you down the aisle; entertain guests during the drinks reception with a magician, musician or street performer. Fill the void between dinner and dancer with a professional dance act such as Celtic Rhythm or hire a dancer teacher to put your guests through their steps before the real dancing begins.
F is for Flowers 
If you are pinching the pennies combine more cost conscious flowers like sweet William and even carnations with more exotic blooms to stretch a budget. Also choose flowers that are in season and use an abundance of candles and ribbons to cut down on flowers for the centrepieces.
G is for Guest List
The guest list is the one thing that you will probably agonize over endlessly. If you and your fiancé are paying for the wedding, remember that you have the final say over invites, if this isn't the case then you'll need to respect the wishes of the people who are paying for the reception - usually the bride's parents. If your numbers are being restricted due to your venue size or budget, get around this by having a small intimate reception lunch for family and close friends and then host a fabulous post wedding party later in the evening, either in a marquee or in another venue, perhaps a nearby hall or a private room in your favourite club.
H is for Hallmark
For your wedding to stand out from all the rest you need to give it a signature or hallmark. A champagne fountain is a novel way to serve your  drinks and can be stocked with your choice of beverage from fruit punch to Pimms. For more information telephone 00 44 (0)7880 737665. Other ideas include fireworks, an ‘adult only' bouncy castle, a ‘big brother' style videoroom where guests can leave you a message or a late night cabaret show with audience participation.
I is for Invitation
The coolest invitations for 2007 stand out with their own dash of
individuality. Origami style stationery is becoming a big trend or add a drop of scented oil to your invitations for a delicious aroma. As a finishing touch seal envelopes with your monogram or a stamp that conveys your wedding day theme.
J is for ‘just your style'
Plan a wedding that reflects you as a couple, incorporating tradition where appropriate and not just adding things in for the sake of it. If you really don't want the pressure of a first dance for example then forgo it and plan other ways to get the dancing started.
K is for Keepsake
It's traditional to present your attendants with thank you gifts before, during or after the reception. This beautiful charm bracelet, £150 from www.rokchix.com is the perfect gift for fashionista bridesmaids.
L is for less is More
Don't overload on detail for the wedding ceremony or reception. You want a classy look, not a tacky celebration. Simple choices like chair covers and specialty lighting can transform a venue from dull to dazzling. Caption: image courtesy of Gotcha Covered.
M is for Marquee
Marquees are a fabulous way or either extending a venue, or creating a room in the great outdoors. Available in all shapes and sizes, marquees range from the small and intimate to the large, lavish and luxurious. For an organic feel to your day keep the grass underfoot and go for soft lantern lighting, alternatively lay a carpet, add a dance floor and hang a few chandeliers for avenue that will leave your guests gasping.
N is for Notebook
Keep a notebook for your different contacts when planning the reception, add swatches of fabric in your different colour themes and include, menus, pictures of décor ideas, floral arrangements and key contacts. This will be a godsend when you are visiting suppliers as you can then show them exactly what you like with minimum fuss. Keepsake book and box £17.95 from www.strawberryfool.co.uk
O
For a busy bride a wedding co-ordinator will be a godsend and will take the hassle out of the wedding planning. Full of ideas, they can guide you on the theme of your wedding, pass on their contacts and help with budgeting ideas. Rates vary with some planners charging per consulation and others quoting a price for planning the complete day. Most are happy to customise their fee package to suit your needs. Caption: a wedding co-ordinator can add the wow factor to your chosen venue. Image courtesy of Kate Deegan
P is for Photography
Asking a friend or relative to be your official photographer may seem a great way to save money, but unless they take pictures for a living, it could all end in tears. For quality results use a professional who is guaranteed to deliver the goods, it may seem expensive, but remember while memories fade, pictures last forever.
Q is for Quality
When choosing your wedding menu, remember that it's quality not quantity that counts. Your guests will be much more impressed by a delicious two-course meal, using quality ingredients, than a five-course meal that resembles old-style school dinners. The sael rule applied for wine and champagne, one glass of quality wine will be appreciated much more than two glasses of cheap plonk.
R is for Relationship
After months, or maybe years of planning, your wedding day will be over in flash. On reflection, the one thing that most couples were really glad they did (or really regretted that they didn't) was spend a few minutes alone together. This day is all about the two of you, but the reality is that you'll probably spend most of it apart, mingling with your guests. Slip away for a few minutes alone together to absorb the atmosphere, let it all sink in and enjoy a stolen kiss or two.
S is for Speeches
Unless you throw tradition to the wind, the speeches remain the highlight of the reception. Whether you decide to say a few words before or after the dinner, try to make them short and sweet, including enough information to make them personable and memorable, without revealing anything that would offend. Speeches from the bride and mothers are common now and you might like to open up the floor to allow your guests to say a few words as well. Want to really surprise your audience? Incorporate a slide show or short video presentation into your speech.
T is for Theme
Themes are bigger than ever for 2007. Colour themes are especially popular, blue could be your dominant theme which is both soothing and sophisticated. Think vanda orchids, blueberry dessert, blue cocktails and blue accents on the wedding cake. Or what about giving an outdoor reception a carnival theme with lemonade drinks, popcorn, brightly coloured umbrellas and a candy stripe tent.
U is for Umbrella
No one wants rain on their big day but these umbrellas will relieve the situation. Pass them out to guests as they leave the church to make their way to the reception. Twilight umbrellas, £19.95 from www.iwantoneofthose.com
V is for Value
Don't underestimate the high street shops for little trinkets to decorate the reception at budget pleasing prices. These pretty candlesticks are only £5 each from Au Naturale, stores across Ireland. Patterned star candles £2 from Woolworths, stores across Ireland.
W is for Welcoming
Personal touches really make your guests feel appreciated. A handwritten note at each reception table for example will create a lovely welcome for everyone.
X is for the X Factor
Giving your wedding the X factor needn't cost the earth. The X factor is all about giving your wedding something special - that could mean choosing a unique venue location, wearing a jaw-dropping wedding dress, providing unforgettable entertainment or simply adding few unforgettable personal touches such personalised vows, a memory tree (where guests hang notes to the newly weds on a tree) or a candlelit midnight supper.
Y is for your Day
Take time out to enjoy the day and mingle with your nearest and dearest at the reception. So many brides recall that the day went so quickly that they didn't get time to chat with all their family and friends so make a special effort to speak to your guests.
Z is for Zero Problems
Re confirm all bookings with wedding suppliers three weeks before the wedding just to ensure that everything is on schedule. You don't want the wedding to become a real cause of stress and worry so if you know that things are running to plan, then you can afford to relax a little and focus on other things. is for Organisation
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Reception 
Meeting up with the lovely Kirstie McMurray from Cool FM, our compare for The Wedding Journal Reader Awards on Monday!
