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1) Consider your guests' time valuable

Make sure that you do not take too long after the wedding ceremony to join your guests. They have attended your event to see you and the party does not start until you arrive. This may mean that you want to take the majority of your pictures prior to the wedding ceremony. If you do not, be sure that the photographer knows that you need to efficiently manage the time you spend on pictures in between the ceremony and the reception.

2) Have salads already plated when your guests arrive at the reception site

If you are having a plated dinner or a buffet, keep in mind that not all guests will be able to be served or go through the buffet line at once. Having salads and / or bread already on the table will keep those who have to wait longer for their main course from getting angry or cranky.

3) Serve children first

Ask the wait staff to serve all of the children their meals first. This will allow the parents to help their children eat prior to their own meals coming out. In addition, it will keep the kids from getting grumpy and whiny if they are hungry. Also, if possible, have high chairs available in advance for younger guests.

4) You and your fiance should eat in a separate room or secluded area where your guests can not see you.

One thing that most couples say AFTER their wedding, is that they did not get a chance to eat any food at their reception. Even if you have a private table at the reception, you will likely keep getting interrupted by guests who want to share their congratulations. If you and your fiance are able to secure a private location, you will be able to enjoy your meal and have a chance to privately reflect on the vows you just took.

5) Circulate among the tables while your guests are eating.

If you have had a chance to eat privately (and you have not done a receiving line) use the time while your guests are eating to stop by each table and greet everyone to thank them for coming. This will allow you to speak to people you may not know very well, but that will appreciate an acknowledgment of their presence. In addition, this will free up your time later in the night because you will have spoken to everyone. Once this is done, you are more free to enjoy your reception.

6) Plan the timing of your first dances, toasts, and cake cutting

Keep in mind that some guests will not want to stay for the whole reception, but will want to see your special wedding moments. Try to time these events at the beginning of the reception. You do not want to end up with too much leftover cake! Put someone in charge of making sure these events happen when you want them to.

7) Have activities available for the kids

Have a kids table with coloring books or other small things for the kids at the event to play with. Keep in mind any restrictions that your venue might have. Also, do not provide toys that could be destructive. A lot of these items can be picked up at your local dollar store. Ideas include, candy bracelets, glow in the dark items, dolls, toy cars, etc.

8) If you are serving alcohol, DO NOT announce last call

Typically, when you announce last call, anyone that is still drinking will run to the bar an order multiple drinks. However, they typically do not have time to finish them before the end of the reception, which means that you end up paying for drinks that do not get consumed.

9) Have someone else assigned to gather any needed items at the end of the night

Put someone else in charge of making sure your gifts get taken to where they need to go. In addition, make a list of all the things that you bought to the venue that need to be taken home (cake cutting knives, parts of the centerpieces, leftover cake, etc.)

10) HAVE FUN !!!!

Make sure that you have a good time and spend time with people that are most important to you at your reception. Consider having someone in charge of steering you through to see all the guests you would like to see. It is easy to lose track of time while talking to just a few people. Also, be sure to seek out your new spouse at various points during the night. With all of the other people at the wedding, it is easy to lose track of each other through the night.

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Source by Brian Sneed