Avoid using individual place cards and use a large seating plan instead.

Award-winning wedding master of ceremonies Artem Lomaz told BI that place cards can add unnecessary cost, clutter and confusion to a reception.

“Place cards are often lost or incorrectly labeled, leaving guests unsure where to sit,” he said.

Instead, create a seating plan that is easy to personalize and makes it easier for guests to navigate the room.

Champagne toasts can be a waste of money

Wedding planner Lindsey Nickel of Lovely Day Events said couples should forgo handing out champagne glasses and allow their guests to toast with the drinks they already have.

“This saves you a huge amount of money because guests often only take a few sips of champagne and leave the rest,” she said.

If you absolutely must offer sparkling wine, try serving it in flat coupe glasses rather than champagne flutes to avoid waste.

Trendy food walls can be unhygienic and wasteful

The food wall trend, in which couples set up a wall with edible decorations like doughnuts or candy, tends to look better on Instagram than in real life.

“After the first few guests grab the pieces they want, the novelty wears off and you’re left with stale snacks hanging on the wall,” Lomaz said. “And if your reception is outdoors, the food can attract wildlife or insects.”

Avoid ephemeral decorations by creating a photo opportunity with draped fabrics or hanging plants instead.

Booking a getaway car can shorten the time you spend with your guests

Renting a fancy car for the big send-off of your reception can be costly and cause you to miss opportunities to connect with your guests.

“Getaway cars are great for photos, but couples often feel pressured to leave and miss saying goodbye to their guests,” Nickel told BI.

Instead, the wedding planner recommended using the money for the bar bill at the after-party.

Fireworks can be smoky and dangerous

Fireworks are an exciting end to a wedding, but they can be loud, smoky and harmful to the environment.

“The air pollution and noise pollution caused by fireworks can have devastating effects on the environment and affect animal lives,” said Lomaz.

If you want something similar, hand out glow sticks or sparklers (with safety instructions) to your guests.

A huge wedding cake is neither necessary nor cost-effective

“A huge cake is not absolutely necessary, especially since the high price of a large, elaborate wedding cake often surprises couples,” says Nickel.

Instead, order a small cake that you can cut at the reception and serve as a sheet cake, or offer your guests a dessert bar.

A long series of speeches can be boring for guests

Wedding and event planner Keith Willard told BI that most receptions don’t require more than one or two toasts.

“A long list of speeches or toasts can bore guests,” he said. “At least half of your guests don’t know each other, which means lengthy personal reflections won’t be appreciated.”

Willard also said that a toast should ideally last less than three minutes and should be given by senior members of the wedding party, such as the maid of honor or the bride’s father.

Guests usually leave their gifts

“Individual gifts often seem artificial,” says Nickel. “Plus, most gifts are left behind by guests.”

If gifts are really important to you, think about something consumable like chocolates or jars of local honey.

More than three courses should not be served at the reception

Even if you and your partner are foodies, a wedding reception is not the best occasion for a seven-course dinner.

“Don’t make your guests sit for four or more courses,” Willard said. “A long meal is time-consuming and robs guests of the opportunity to relax and have fun at your wedding.”

Focus on choosing an incredible main course and some interesting appetizers for cocktail hour.

Dance floor props can look out of place next to carefully chosen decor

Wedding photographer Amy Kolodziej said props on the dance floor can detract from the elegance of a wedding reception.

“Strobe headgear and neon glow sticks rarely fit the mood of the rest of the wedding day,” she told BI.

The photographer suggested serving a cocktail or fun snack during the reception instead.

Throwing the bridal bouquet and garter might put off some guests

Tossing the bouquet and garter is a long-standing wedding tradition that can cause discomfort for some guests.

“Unless you’re getting married young or in front of most of your friends, it can be awkward to ask your guests to identify themselves as single,” Kolodziej said.

By not throwing flowers, you can also save money because you don’t need an additional bouquet.

This story was originally published in July 2021 and was last updated on August 28, 2024.