Reception advice PLEASE!!!!!!

Hi Guys, I could do with some advice please.
My H2B and I are getting married in September 2010 and have yet to book entertainment and caterers.
Can you tell me if the caterers look after table decoration and if the band or DJ looks after lighting and general AV as in microphones for speeches? I don’t know if we have to organise all of this stuff ourselves. We are having our reception in porchester hall London.
Also will the caterers make up menus and table names or do we do it?

Sorry I may be coming across really dumb but I've no idea how it all works. :\?

Have you asked the entertainment people and the caterers?

That is one of the reasons I have left it so long before looking at dresses. My plan is to lose at least a stone before the wedding. I don't want to by one now and have two sets of alterations (expensive!) When I can just buy the size I need with maybe small alteration closer to the wedding.
Problem is do we take the chance on leaving it so late?
Another worry I had was maybe the dress wouldn't suit my new shape when (if) I lose the weight.

In your case they have told you they can alter it on time so take their word for it. Thay can't let you down now. Bit of advice email them and get it in writing.


Wow!!! Two stone loss! Well done. Any tips?

Where's your wedding

Each venue and supplier is different so you really need to ask direct.

What exactly do you mean about decoration? Do you mean laying the tables out or supplying decoration for the tables ie centrepieces? If you're having flowers as decoration then the florist usually does this for you on the day once the cateres have laid the tables. As for menus and table names, some may supply them but you will probably have to pay extra.

Our menus, table names & place cards were designed by the lady who did our wedding invitations so that it co-ordinated. On the day the in-house caterers at the venue put out the menus, tables names and place cards for us after we supplied them with a layout so they knew what tables went where. We had 8 tables so we supplied 8 envelopes and on each envelope we drew a circle on the outside. We wrote the names around the circle/table in the order we wanted guests seated with the table name written in the middle of the circle. Against any name we put if they were veggie so they knew where the veggies were sitting. Inside each envelope we put a menu plus the relevant table name and place cards

Most djs will bring all the equipment that they need but again you would need to check exactly what they supply. Ours did bring a couple of lights with him. As for microphones, it depends when the speeches will be done. If before the dj arrives then you will need to hire a microphone unless the venue provides one.

Haven't booked any yet. Just wondered if it's standard practice for these things to come as a package.

But I know now.

Yikes! I guess that means more expense. Venue don't have in house caterers and didn't mention anything about table decoration or names.
They said caterers look after that stuff.
Guess I had better look for caterers who do. :-/

Thanks for your Help Girls.

HI There,
You can make up your own place names etc and give them to the caterer to place on the tables as long as you supply a seating plan.
Otherwise look into on the day co ordination services from either your venue or planner or even task an usher with the repsonsibilty.
Our band are arriving early and providing mics for the speeches as well as their own lighting for the band performace later when dancing starts.
We are getting married in Lonodn too.
Our caterers are Relish and they are being ever so helpful. Our band is www.Superchargerband.com who are London based. And our florist is Charlotte Allen. All have taken me an age to find but happy I'm nearly there!
Molly
x

I work for a 4 star hotel that does weddings and this is what we do...
The B&G supply the table decoration and we place them out for them. We book the band or DJ and all AV equipment on behalf of the B&G. We make all menus, placecards etc which the B&G can ask to be themed.

Call around some companies, I'm sure the planners will be delighted to talk you through everything.
All the best, Sarah