Planning a wedding reception is not for the faint of heart. Between managing the (typically) large guest list, communicating with vendors, and dealing with the societal pressure to make this once-in-a-lifetime day absolutely perfect, it can often feel like tying the knot will take away your sanity?particularly if you?re planning it for a long period of time.
However, it is possible to have a beautiful wedding reception without going totally batty. If you?re brave enough (or budget-conscious enough) to go without help from a pro, here?s how you can keep yourself sane while you plan.
Be Realistic
We all have that ideal wedding reception in our minds. Maybe you imagined a garden party in a national park, surrounded by strings of fairy lights. Maybe you dream of a party so opulent that Marie Antoinette says, ?Stop being so extra.? In my case, I envisioned a Woodstock-style concert with all my favorite bands, where all my friends and relatives (yes, even the ones in their 80s) could dance well into the night. While all our wedding fantasies sound great in our minds, it?s important to do several reality checks while you plan the real deal. Pesky logistical issues like the weather, space constraints, your budget, or that fact that your favorite bands didn’t answer your Instagram messages will determine what you can and can?t do for your wedding reception, so it?s best to keep those details at the top of your mind. If you have a clear, realistic picture of what you have to w...