When choosing the type of beverages to serve at your reception, you may need to consider your budget. Liquor, champagne, and other drinks can be an important part of the reception, but they can be very expensive.

You are faced with a variety of options when choosing your reception site. The choice will depend on the type of wedding you're planning. Your reception site needs to be large enough to accommodate your guests but within your allocated wedding budget.

The purpose of the receiving line is for the parents, bride, and groom to greet the guests and receive their good wishes. The parents and wedding couple may choose to circulate through the reception hall instead of holding a receiving line, however, the receiving line is usually a more efficient way to greet everyone.

Music can bring a special note of festivity to a reception. There are a variety of music choices, depending on the style you want to have. These choices may include a string trio, a background pianist, a small orchestra, a band, or a disc jockey.

Your major responsibility at the reception is being hosts. In general, this means seeing that your guests have what they need, and are enjoying themselves.

Wedding cakes are often a favorite attraction at the reception. While the cake has traditionally been made of a light pound, sponge, or white cake, today's wedding cake flavors vary from chocolate to spice.

The time of day, number of guests, and your budget will affect the type of wedding reception you choose. A breakfast reception, either sit-down or buffet style, with coffee, juice, fruit, croissants, and eggs, is appropriate if the wedding is between eight and ten o'clock in the morning.