Outdoor Wedding Receptions on a Budget

Hosting your reception outdoors can be a lot cheaper and much more fun for you and your guests. Having an outdoor wedding reception gives you a variety of options too.

The main problem with an outdoor wedding reception is the weather. Sometimes no matter how much you plan, Mother Nature has different designs.

An Outdoor wedding reception can be held at a local park, the top of a mountain peak, or in your own back yard.

Your own yard is an excellent choice because it's a relaxed and familiar atmosphere, and you won't have to worry about little details that might come up when using public property. In a public park for instance, there may be another event scheduled later in the day that you'll have to be cleared out for. Or you may not be allowed to have your reception late into the night.

When planning an outdoor reception, be sure to have a back up plan just in case the weather becomes a problem.

Here's a simple check list of things to keep in mind when planning an outdoor wedding reception:

· Renting tent or gazebo and decorating it. Make sure that you confirm your rental date at least two weeks ahead of time or sooner.
· Renting tables and chairs. It is cheaper when you set them up yourself
· Get regular updates on the weather.
· Make sure everyone knows the contingency plan.
· Getting any miscellaneous items such as extension cords etc.
· Hiring a DJ or band and confirming
· Decide on food items, drinks, utensils, and who will prepare what.
· Get permits that may be required in serving alcohol
· Get permission from neighbors. You don’t want them complaining about the noise and the parking situation (invite them too). Of course this rule applies when you are hosting your outdoor reception in your backyard.

Food Ideas & Tips for Outdoor Receptions

There are many ways that you can choose to serve your reception food when the reception is held outdoors. Here are some of the most popular and money saving ways to serve foods:

· Have a casual reception and serve barbecue items such as hamburgers, chicken, ribs etc. Have everyone forego a gift in exchange for bringing their own special dish to the barbecue instead. Get confirmation about who's bringing what, or assign items to each person so you don't have duplicates.
· Serve your food buffet style having each guest bring a food item instead of a gift.
· Serve vegetable, cheese, fruit, and meat trays with dips and other snackables rather than hosting a huge meal. This is a great alternative anyway, for vegetarians as well.
· Host your reception with a theme so that you can be more casual with your food, for example, perhaps you can host your reception with an Italian theme and make spaghetti or order pizza etc.
· Choose an outdoor theme that is simple, easy and affordable.

Detailed resources, information and original ideas for your wedding, prom or any formal event can be found at www.WeddingsAndFormals.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lose Weight for your Wedding - it's Magic!
Send a blank email to: magic@evolutionsales.com
or visit www.evolutionsales.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Technorati Tags: Outdoor Wedding Reception, Wedding Budget