The drinks reception gets less thought than almost any other part of the day, and it's usually the longest wait your guests will have. You're off with the photographer. They're standing on a lawn or in a bar with a glass of fizz, often next to people they've never met. It can be lovely. It can also drag.
Here are the drinks reception ideas we'd actually suggest, from people who've stood at the edge of a lot of them.
Get the length right
Most drinks receptions run somewhere around 90 minutes to two hours. That's enough time for confetti, group shots and couple portraits without guests getting restless. Any longer and people start wondering when they'll be fed.
Talk to your photographer about what they need and how long the group shots will take. Then tell your venue. If the photos run over, it's the drinks reception that stretches, so keep a bit of slack.
Feed people
Canapés matter more than you'd think. Guests may not have eaten since breakfast, and a couple of glasses of fizz on an empty stomach at 2pm is how you end up with a very loud uncle by the speeches. Three or four canapés each is a sensible amount if the meal follows soon after.
And have soft drinks out on the same tray as the fizz. Drivers, pregnant guests and children shouldn't have to go hunting for an orange juice.
Give guests something to do
This is where a drinks reception goes from fine to great. People need a reason to talk to each other, especially when the bride's side and the groom's side haven't met.
A close-up magician is our first suggestion, and yes, we run Magician For Hire, so take that how you like. But there's a reason we got into it. A magician walks up to a group of strangers, does something impossible with a borrowed ring, and suddenly they're all laughing and comparing notes. It's a cracking icebreaker. No stage, no power, no setting up, and it works just as well with 40 guests as with 140.
Other ideas that work well:
- Lawn games like giant Jenga, croquet or quoits
- A string duo, acoustic guitarist or a playlist on a decent speaker
- A photo of every couple's wedding day from both families, set out on a table
- A short welcome note on each table with fun facts about the two of you
- An audio guest book so people can leave you a message while it's quiet
Think about where people will stand
Older guests need somewhere to sit. It sounds obvious but it's often forgotten, and two hours standing on grass in heels is nobody's idea of fun. Ask the venue to put out some chairs, ideally in the shade.
Have a look at the space when you visit. Is it all in one place, or spread across a terrace, a bar and a garden? If it's spread out, guests can split into their own little groups and never mix, which is another reason roaming entertainment helps.
Plan for the weather
If your drinks reception is outdoors, you need a wet weather plan. In England that's not optional, even in August. Ask your venue exactly where the reception moves to if it rains, and how many people that room can comfortably hold.
In winter, think about the cold as well. Mulled wine and hot chocolate go down very well on a November afternoon, and an indoor reception with a fire going is lovely. Our rainy day wedding plan post has more on this.
Little touches that guests notice
Sunscreen and fans on a hot day. Umbrellas by the door if it's looking grey. A clear sign to the toilets. A welcome drink handed out as people come out of the ceremony, rather than a queue at the bar.
And tell your guests what's happening. If they know the photos will take an hour and the meal is at 3.30pm, they'll relax. If they don't, they'll keep asking the ushers.
For more on fitting entertainment around the rest of the day, have a look at our wedding entertainment ideas and the sample wedding timeline.