A Touch of Elegance: Essentials For Holding a Black Tie Reception

If you want a sophisticated wedding, a black-tie theme is the way to go. Every detail matters when you're planning a wedding, but so does the after-wedding stage. To make your entire wedding occasion memorable, it's essential for you to build the foundation of a grand reception. Apply the following tips to ensure that you have a flawless formal affair:

Plan Seating Early

For any formal wedding reception, a seating arrangement will help keep it organized. Guests won't have to spend unnecessary amounts of time finding seats. Create your seating chart as you receive RSVPs from your invitees. Avoid starting on the chart last minute; you're more likely to make mistakes, such as forgetting guests, and ruining your seating chart.

Enlist the help of friends and family—those who will be in attendance, of course, to help you create a seating chart that works for everyone and will minimize conflict. You don’t want to go through the trouble of planning a formal event, only to have the night ruined because an argument broke out at a poorly-arranged table.

Decide on Decor

Since your wedding reception will be a black-tie event, decide on decor that resonates with it. From decorations to tableware, every part of your reception should reflect the elegance you want to portray.

Popular decorations at formal weddings usually include white candles, crystal chandeliers, elegant glassware, and silver tableware. Some black-tie wedding receptions also have specific themes, such as vintage or old Hollywood, but they still maintain the formal element. You can choose to do a specific theme to make your reception more entertaining for guests.

Avoid the Buffet Line

No matter how delicious or how beautifully presented, buffet-style meals aren't fit for formal occasions. Instead, hire a caterer or wedding chefs to prepare the meals for your wedding. Make sure that whoever you hire has experience in making meals for black-tie events.

Most caterers and chefs offer consultation services. Take your time sampling cuisine from different caterers or chefs. Food is one of the most fundamental aspects of a wedding reception, and the meals you serve at your reception should complement your formal affair. Take into account common food restrictions and allergies your guests will have and make sure whatever caterer or chef you choose can accommodate these.

Have Your Wedding Reception Indoors

Even if the weather is supposed to be perfect on your wedding day, you and your guests will be more relieved to have a wedding ceremony and reception indoors. Your guests will be in formal attire, and sitting outdoors can be uncomfortable, especially if the weather isn't ideal. When choosing an indoor venue, find one that matches your black-tie theme. Ballrooms, museums, and elegant dining halls are all good choices for formal venues.

The most important tip for a black-tie reception is to ensure that every detail complements each other. If you want a complete formal event, plan ahead and apply these tips to build your dream wedding and an unforgettable reception.