Choose an Impressive Venue

When looking for unique reception ideas, start by choosing a venue with striking architecture and design to set the stage for your memorable event. The site can be opulent, historic, rustic, or any style that suits yours, just as long as the venue itself provides the perfect backdrop for your wedding. When you choose an interesting venue, chances are you won’t have to bring in lots of design elements to create the atmosphere you’re looking for, which can be a huge plus when it comes to time and budget considerations.

Bring the Indoors Outside

By hanging chandeliers outdoors with arbors of greenery or flowers, you can give the impression you’re in a ballroom with the stars as the ceiling. The twinkling lights against the night sky create a magical ambience and a sense of opulence your guests will never forget. Definitely one of our favorite unique wedding reception ideas!

Bring the Outdoors In

If you want to create a natural looking environment but can’t count on the weather, use elements of nature to bring the outdoors in. By using small trees, leaves, florals and natural colors you can create a feeling of being outside any time of year. 

Design Your Lighting

One of the most overlooked and most important elements of event design is lighting. No matter your color palette or theme, you can enhance the look with lights to create instant ambience. Get a spotlight for your cake cutting and first dance, and light the whole room to make an unforgettable atmosphere.

Choose Comfortable Seating that Matches Your Style

How and where your guests are seated can make a big difference in their comfort and their overall impression of your wedding. We suggest you walk away from stiff, folding wooden chairs  and choose seating that your family and friends will love for hours on end. After all, they will be seated for dinner, dessert, and throughout the toasts and first dance, and you’ll want them to feel at ease from beginning to end. With tons of chairs to choose from at rental companies, comfortable seating is one of our unique reception ideas that is bound to be appreciated.

Decorate Your Cake Table

Cake cutting is a classic ritual at weddings, but all too often the photos don’t turn out as well as they should. Be sure to make your moment photogenic by dressing up your table with flowers, candles or other decorations, or create a full display with additional desserts. Light the area well for photos and be prepared to cut your cake with panache. For more information on wedding cakes and how to cut them, read our Wedding Cake Guide and get tips on How to Cut Your Wedding Cake Tastefully.

Serve Seasonal and Theme Buffets

Deciding on a menu that excites your guests and serves those with dietary restrictions may be enough for most. However, if you want to delight everyone on your list, choose items that are in season that complement your wedding style. Food stations with a fusion on cuisines, food trucks, and barbecues are all options depending on your motif.

Change Into Your Party Outfits

Dancing in a wedding dress or buttoned up tuxedo can restrict your movements and be too hot when the party gets wild. That’s why one of our unique receptions ideas includes changing into stylish outfits right before or after your first dance. Common in many cultures, not only does a clothing change help you feel more comfortable, it can give you a chance to show off your party style.

Practice Your Dance Moves

If you aren’t a professional dancer, you may feel intimidated by your first dance. Don’t worry; if you want to look smooth and confident, take lessons or practice by using videos. Ballroom dancing, breaking, salsa and more are all appropriate ways to tackle the dance floor. For detailed advice on acing your first dance, check our blog about First Dance Tips and don’t miss our popular post on How to Do the Dip at Your Wedding.

Surprise Your Guests With Entertainment

Whether it’s a group of friends putting on a funny performance or a troupe of professional entertainers, adding entertainment will add a new dimension to your wedding reception. From magicians to musicians and performers of all kinds, make the entertainment a surprising distraction and you’re guaranteed to wow your guests.

To come up with your own unique reception ideas, check out our Details and Decor Gallery and get inspired to create a wedding with loads of personal style.