- This article helps out with 19 wedding reception essentials for a beautiful wedding reception. You will find a wedding reception planner checklist and a wedding reception setup checklist in our list.
- If you are asking, “what do I need for a wedding reception?” look no further because you will find everything you need for a wedding reception in this article.
To have the best wedding reception set-up that is picture-perfect, you need the perfect wedding reception essentials for setting up the wedding reception venue of your dreams.
In this article, we will be helping you out with essential wedding reception setup checklist items to set up your wedding reception.
Check out our helpful related wedding reception articles on What to do instead of a wedding reception and Unique things to do at a wedding reception.
What Do I Need For A Wedding Reception? 19 of Everything You Need For A Wedding Reception.
Table of Contents
From planning the wedding to actual set-up, these are 19 of everything you will need for a fantastic wedding reception.
4 Wedding Reception Planner Checklist.
You won’t have a dream wedding reception without a properly planned wedding reception. You need the best wedding reception planner gift items to help you pull it off. The 4 gift items here are as good as it gets. Check them out.
1. Wedding Planner Survival Kit Wedding Cosmetics Makeup Bag.
While running around to plan your wedding reception, you need a makeup bag to carry all your essential items because, as they say, “never be caught unfresh.” This nifty, easy carry-on purse will help you have all the necessary lady items you need to have on you as you run around planning your wedding reception.
Pros:
- It is made of high-quality canvas material.
- It is waterproof.
- It is nifty and easy to carry about.
- It is roomy and can take all your feminine essentials for the road.
- It is very fashionable.
Cons:
- This gift item has only positive ratings and reviews at the time of writing.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Trendy, functional, and reliable are all terms that come to mind with this gift item. For the busy wedding planner, this gift item will ensure she stays on top of her self-care while planning the wedding reception.
2. The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings.
Having creative ideas for a wedding reception isn’t always easy, and this book helps with that. It provides an exhaustive guide and list of things to have lined up as you plan the reception. It also helps with reception ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Pros:
- It is detailed.
- It is easy to read and understand.
- It is in paperback and will therefore last longer.
- The contents are relevant and valuable according to several happy customers.
Cons:
- One customer complained that the copy they received had handwritten notes inside it.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The positive reviews from the many happy customers who used this book to plan their successful weddings attest to its usefulness. It will undoubtedly come in handy in planning the wedding reception.
Other good wedding reception planning books you can check out are:
3. Wedding Planner Book and Organizer For The Bride.
For the bride planning her wedding reception, this organizer will help her stay organized and on top of everything she needs to keep in the loop. This highly organized and efficient planner has 150 pages split into 5 sections. The flowery cover also makes it very attractive and desirable to carry around. It is also lightweight and easy to carry around.
Pros:
- It is very detailed and organized with sections such as vendor questionnaires, guest lists, bridal party, honeymoon ideas, and many more.
- It comes with a lot of pages - 150 pages.
- It is lightweight and easy to carry around.
- The binding also makes it very easy to use.
- It also comes with stationery items like a gift box, pen, pouch, paperclip, 10 thank you cards, and online templates.
Cons:
- One customer said they found it too generic and not as helpful as expected.
Product summary and our recommendation.
On the whole, this gift item has more happy customers saying great things about it. Given the majority of great reviews that it has, we think it will be an excellent organizer to buy.
4. Floral Gold Wedding Planner & Organizer.
If the earlier organizer did not appeal to you, this one certainly will. With an appealing floral detail and helpful details and sections inside it, this will be a planner that will be loved. With 132 beautifully crafted and organized pages and a durable gold spiral-bound floral cover that is easy to lug around, every wedding reception planner will love this organizer.
Pros:
- It comes equipped with an 18-month countdown calendar.
- It is organized into several easy-to-navigate sections.
- It is nifty, lightweight, and easy to carry around.
- It comes packed with helpful wedding planning tips, charts, and the likes.
Cons:
- All the brides who purchased this gift item have raving positive things to say about it.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This is a wedding reception organizer that you will love, and we highly recommend it.
You may also find this helpful wedding reception planning article on Who sits where at a wedding reception useful.
11 Wedding Reception Setup Checklist.
Do you have these 11 items for setting up your wedding reception venue? Check out our list of 11 essential wedding reception setup checklists.
5. Ivory Ceiling Drapes 6 Panels.
Decorate your reception venue with these beautiful drapes that will add warmth and glam to the atmosphere. Its versatility means you can get creative with how you use it and where you position it.
Pros:
- It is easy to maintain.
- It is made of high-quality sheer material.
- Customers complimented the quality and how it turned out after decorating.
- It is beautiful and glamorous.
Cons:
- One customer complained that it was not as long as she wanted, although she said it covered the entire area she used it for.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The ratings and reviews by happy brides who used this to decorate their wedding venue leave no doubt that this will tastefully beautify your wedding reception venue.
6. Blue Wedding Reception Backdrop Decorations.
Coupling this backdrop with the earlier draping will give your wedding reception venue a fairytale look that will have everyone gushing over the entire reception. It is a complete set that would create a magical backdrop.
Pros:
- It is made of quality material.
- It is easy to set up and use.
- It is easy to maintain.
- It is a beautiful decorative backdrop.
Cons:
- One customer complained that it did not come with everything it was supposed to go with.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This beautiful backdrop will make your wedding reception venue dazzle and shine.
7. Crystal Wooden Hoop Wreath Floral Centerpieces.
Beautify the table of the bride and groom or the table with the cake with these classy centerpiece floral wreaths. They are beautifully decorated and very simple yet elegant. They are sure to bring some summery feeling to the atmosphere.
Pros:
- It comes in a set of 3 flower centerpieces.
- They are beautiful decorative pieces.
- The holders are made of high-quality beech material.
- Every customer who bought it loved it very much.
Cons:
- This is a gift item with excellent ratings and reviews.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Given how satisfied everyone who has bought this gift item is with it, there is no doubt that you will love to have it decorate your wedding reception venue.
8. Wedding Arch and Aisle Entry Floral Decor.
These pretty flowers that look real and natural can be used to decorate the aisle and the arch at the wedding reception venue. And they work well for both an indoor wedding reception venue and an outdoor wedding reception venue. Their colors are perfect for any color scheme, theme, and decor you settle for.
Pros:
- They look life-like and natural.
- They will last long, given that they are artificial flowers with a natural look.
- They are beautiful decorative pieces.
- They have versatile uses.
Cons:
- Customers who have bought it have only positive things to say about it.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Every customer who rated this product at the time of writing was impressed by how natural they looked and how beautifully they decorated the venue. You will also find it impressive in decorating your wedding reception venue.
9. 6.5ft Wedding Reception Backdrop Floral Garland with Hanging Vines.
This is the perfect gift item if you have an outdoor summer wedding reception. And even for an indoor wedding reception, you can still use this to create a summery vibe to the wedding reception that will be refreshing.
Pros:
- The flowers are life-like and look natural.
- They are a beautiful decorative piece.
- It is pliable and can easily be used for creating different designs.
Cons:
- The wood stand is not included in the package.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Despite the absence of the wood stand, customers highly recommend this garland decoration because of how beautiful it looks and makes a wedding reception venue look.
You may also like this Wedding Arch Draping Fabric for decorating the garland.
10. 4 Piece Gold Flower Track Vase Wedding Decoration.
This is another versatile gift item for both an indoor and outdoor wedding reception venue. These can be placed strategically at the front and entrance of the wedding reception venue. With the right flowers decorated beautifully on these stands, you bring a radiant glow to the wedding reception venue.
Pros:
- It comes in 4 pieces.
- It is easy to assemble.
- It is sturdy when assembled.
- The height is perfect for any venue.
- Once set up, it is perfect for flower arrangements.
Cons:
- Customers complained that it did not come with instructions on setting it up. They, however, said it wasn’t too difficult to figure it out eventually.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Despite not having an instruction manual, most customers love this gift item very much. Several customers also said the vendor was helpful and readily available to assist.
11. White & Sage Floral Arrangement Centerpiece.
Use this beautiful garland to bring your wedding reception tables alive. The floral garland is 15 inches wide by 3.75ft long and will fit a 4ft -5ft sweetheart table to create a stunning look. This gift item also comes with an extra-long flowy tablecloth.
Pros:
- It comes with an extra-long flowy tablecloth.
- The flower centerpiece is broad and can fill up a 4ft by 5ft table to create a stunning look.
- The flowers are life-like and look natural.
- It is easy to use to create different stunning looks.
- It works well with both round and rectangular tables.
Cons:
- Some customers complained that it looked smaller than it looks in the pictures.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The reviews on how pretty these flowers look despite the volume complaint by some customers confirm that it will be worth the purchase.
12. Acrylic Wedding Centerpiece Flower Stand.
This is a regal centerpiece for a beautiful flower arrangement, especially for the table where the bride and groom will be seated. It is 32 inches high, with the top and base being 24 inches in width and 12 inches in depth. With these specifications, this stand will stand out with any flower arrangement.
Pros:
- It is sturdy.
- It makes any flower arrangement look stunning.
- It is easy to assemble/put together.
- It is a beautiful decorative piece.
- Customers compliment how stunning it looks.
Cons:
- Few customers were not fans of the protective film it was wrapped with, saying it gave them a little difficulty with unpacking it.
Product summary and our recommendation.
One particular customer said that this is a gift item that every wedding planner must-have. You will love the stunning look it gives to your wedding reception venue. The packaging helps with keeping the gift item protected, given its fragility.
13. 10 Pcs 19.3 inches Tall Crystal Flower Stand.
These beautiful flower stands are perfect if you have several wedding reception tables and you would want to have a flower on each table. These stands come with beautiful chandelier-like hangings on each stand. When a flower is placed on top of these stands, your wedding reception table for each guest will look beautiful and make the venue come alive.
Pros:
- It is easy to assemble.
- It comes in 10 pieces.
- They are beautiful decorative table pieces.
- They are sturdy when assembled.
- Customers said it looks exactly as pictured when assembled.
Cons:
- One customer said it took too long to assemble. Given the number of stands (10), this is to be expected.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The customer satisfaction on this gift item is all the testimony one needs to know that this will be an excellent purchase for decorating your wedding reception venue.
14. Eucalyptus and Willow Leaf Garland with White Flower.
This is another beautiful tabletop centerpiece for your wedding reception tables. These life-like natural-looking eucalyptus and willow leaf garlands will brighten every reception table it is placed on.
Pros:
- They look natural and life-like.
- They have versatile uses.
- They are long and able to fit on a long table while still looking full.
- Customers gushed that it looked exactly as pictured.
Cons:
- This gift item has only positive ratings and reviews at the time of writing.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This is another beautiful decorative piece to purchase for your wedding reception venue.
15. 10 Pieces 27×120 inch Elegant Table Runner.
This beautiful table runner will beautify your wedding reception table. It is long enough and will bring warmth to the table setting.
Pros:
- It is made with quality chiffon material.
- It is long and will cover a long table and still drape beautifully.
- It will beautify the table as attested to by several customers.
- One customer said it did not need to be ironed before being used.
Cons:
- One customer said it did not fit their table length entirely but still worked perfectly when folded and used as decor at the center of the table instead.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The ratings and reviews on this gift item leave no doubt that it is a perfect decorative item to purchase for your wedding reception.
4 Wedding Reception Must Haves.
You can’t not have these 4 bespoke wedding reception must haves.
16. 72 Pieces Wooden Blocks Guest Book Alternative for Wedding Reception.
Bring a slight twist to the traditional guestbook. Have your guests sign their wedding wishes for the newlyweds on the beautiful wooden blocks. And then stack them up beautifully to display on the wedding reception table.
Pros:
- It is easy to set up.
- It comes with 72 natural wood blocks, 4 thick instruction paper signs, and 4 signing pens with the color red, black, silver, and gold.
- It is a unique twist to a guestbook.
Cons:
- Some customers were not impressed with the absence of an acrylic box to use to display the blocks after setting them up.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Customers love this unique twist to the traditional guestbook. This will make for a terrific addition to the wedding reception set-up.
17. Mr & Mrs. Neon Sign Wedding Decoration.
Light up the bride and groom’s table at the reception with this sign. The beauty of this gift item is that they can still use it even after the wedding reception. They can use it as a decorative sign at their new home.
Pros:
- It is a beautiful decorative piece.
- It lights up.
- It is sturdy.
- It is easy to set up and use.
Cons:
- Some customers said it was smaller than it appeared in the pictures.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Given that this isn’t meant to overshadow the rest of the reception venue decor, the small size works perfectly for decorating your bride and groom section of the venue.
You may also like this Wooden Mr. and Mrs. Rustic Letters Wedding Signs for Wedding Reception Table.
18. Better Together Neon Sign Wedding Reception Decoration.
This is another beautiful alternative to the earlier neon sign. This can be strategically used to decorate the reception table, especially where the cake is standing.
Pros:
- It lights up.
- It is easy to assemble/install.
- It beautifies the space it is put in.
Cons:
- Some customers complained that the dimmer was missing from the package.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Light up your reception venue with this wedding neon sign that can also be used to decorate other places in the house
19. Mr. and Mrs. Champagne Glasses.
Toast to the newlyweds with these beautiful champagne glasses customized with the fitting new title of Mr. and Mrs. These glasses are uniquely different from others because of the artistic bubbles featured in the stems of each glass.
Pros:
- They are a beautiful set of customized champagne glasses.
- They are easy to wash.
- Customers said it looked really gorgeous.
Cons:
- They are fragile because they are made of glass.
- Some customers complained that they got a Mr and Mr or Mrs and Mrs glasses.
Product summary and our recommendation.
These gorgeous glasses will bring a sparkle to the reception as guests raise their glasses to toast to the newlyweds.
Frequently asked questions.
1. What are some things to buy for a wedding reception?
Our list of 19 things needed for a wedding reception has all the wedding reception essentials you will need for your wedding reception.
2. What do you need for a wedding reception?
What you will need will usually be informed by the type of wedding reception you want. However, whatever the kind of wedding reception you want to have, you are sure to find something or things you will need in our gift list.
3. What is the most important part of a wedding reception?
Some will say the food is the most crucial part of the wedding reception. However, all aspects of the wedding reception are of equal importance. This is because it will negatively impact the overall wedding reception if one of these aspects is less than perfect.
4. How do you plan a wedding on a small budget?
You can check out our article on How to plan a wedding step by step instructions for helpful tips on planning a wedding on a small budget.
Conclusion.
Planning a wedding reception does not have to be filled with unwanted hassles. The gift items in this article take out the hassle and stress of looking for the things needed for a wedding reception.
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