Personalizing Your Reception

When it comes to the post-ceremony celebration known as your reception, brides and grooms are discovering ways to make the event uniquely, creatively and personally theirs.



Your Theme
Spread your four wings (yes, you must decide this together) and brainstorm your favorite themes. You want your guests to say, "This is so THEM!" as soon as they step across the threshold of your event. Your coordinator and caterer want that, too. So don't limit yourselves, or you'll miss some great places.

"Choosing a venue means finding something unique to that bride and groom," says Denise Jermyn, owner of Continental Catering. Perhaps it is where you met or where you became engaged. Your hobbies and your personalities can point you right to a perfect location. And that could even be a museum!

"Pilots will love the Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park," Denise says. "Athletes can enjoy the House of Champions, also in the park. The Museum of Photographic Arts is unique and reasonable." The Japanese Friendship Garden, with its Zen atmosphere and décor is perfect for a mellow couple.

One of her couples booked the Natural History Museum. Everyone received a ticket to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the cocktail party. They went off to see the scrolls while members of the wedding party posed for photographs. Guests returned to dinner on another level.

Sea lovers may find their bliss at Scripps Aquarium, where guests can wander with blue margaritas through the undersea exhibits or nibble canapés on the ocean view deck. Sailors can do no better than the Star of India, Denise says. "It makes for the greatest party, and it lays out beautifully," she says. Couples can say their vows on the main deck, then lead their guests to the next deck for the reception and the third deck for dancing.

Think Outdoors in Southern California
Shelter and Harbor Islands boast ample green lawns close to San Diego Bay. All you need is a permit from the city or port district and a tent to stage any style party, from picnic barbecue to full sit-down dinner. Orfila Vineyard in Escondido offers a beautiful venue ideal for wine lovers who can enjoy a grilled supper. Darlington House in La Jolla is an elegant historical home in which to entertain your company in silver spoon style.


Looking for the Unusual?
For centerpieces your guests will never stop talking about, give them someone to talk with. One of Denise's parties featured a flower-covered live model posed on the buffet table. "She interacts and talks with people, maybe telling about the food," Denise says. "Mostly, she just looks beautiful." The men loved her, of course, but "the women get a kick out of it, too," she says. Why not two models for an Adam and Eve characterization?

You get the idea.

Caterers
After you've booked your venue, the biggest thing is to find a caterer. Many venues have restrictions about this wedding VIP, limiting your choice to their own staff or to a list of their preferred vendors. So, if absolute culinary freedom is important to you, consult the San Diego Bride & Groom Reception Site Guide to help you narrow your venue choices.

A caterer has the contacts you will need to carry out your theme in your style, Denise says. "They can bring in props, lighting, music--whatever you need." Your outdoor beach or garden wedding party may need a dance floor, for example. No problem. Ditto with lounge furniture to create a relaxing and chatting living room environment on the grass.


Lounges
The lounge addition has become popular, not only because it gives guests a place to take a break from the music and dancing, but also because it's a comfortable atmosphere for members of the wedding party and older relatives to "hold court," greeting and hosting people they may not have seen for a while.

Out of town guests may not be familiar with our innovative SoCal ways of weddings, so a thoughtful bride and groom will make sure they relax and enjoy the party, too. Michel Malecot, owner of The French Gourmet, suggests the DJ or MC make announcements to invite guests to participate and let everyone know what is happening. Enlist members of your wedding party to help host. You can consult your stationer, as well, for she will know how to word your invitation and card inserts to give everyone advance information.


It's your party. It's their party, too.

A few additional things to consider
Selecting your venue is one of the top three items on your wedding planning list, but the variety and number of sites in our area can be daunting. To narrow your choices, event planners and caterers offer some additional things to consider before you make your selection.

Where is your ceremony? If it's in another location, or too difficult for some guests to navigate, you must plan transportation logistics.

What parking is available? If it's limited or non-existent, you will need a valet service.

What are the limitations of the building or the site? The number of guests it will accommodate, the availability of kitchen facilities, the location and number of restrooms, the electrical capacities and any time restrictions are critical considerations.

Will we be able to add the details we want? If your atmosphere depends on candle light or hanging bowers, fabric panels or other theatrical props, would that be a problem?

Does this place feel right to us? Only the two of you can answer that question, so be sure you visit it together before you commit.