Unless guests will be arriving at different times and you want the buffet open immediately, or you have fewer than fifty guests, it’s a good idea to release tables to the buffet one at a time. This allows guests to mingle with those at their table, grab a drink, sign the guestbook, or use the photo spot instead of waiting in a long buffet line.

If you’re looking for a creative way to release tables—without needing a DJ—you can create a playlist of easily recognizable songs and place a card on each table instructing guests to head to the buffet when they hear their song. This turns waiting into a fun game and eliminates the need for announcements.

Keep song length in mind (around four minutes each is a good rule of thumb), and be sure to arrange the playlist in the order you want tables released.

It takes some time to set up, but if this sounds fun to you, here’s a creative idea I picked up from one of my brides. On each table number card, she placed a childhood photo of herself and one of the groom at that same age. For example, Table 8 featured a picture of each of them at eight years old.

Guests enjoyed walking around and seeing photos of the couple at different stages of life. This idea worked especially well because the number of tables corresponded to their growing-up years.

If it does, for the love of all that is matrimonial, get a bustle put in! It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but unless you plan to change right after the ceremony, dragging that train around will drive you nuts—not to mention the risk of it getting dirty or damaged. You’ll feel so much better when it’s neatly tucked up.

When picking up your bustled dress, bring a bridesmaid or family member along so they can learn how to do it properly—it can be surprisingly complicated! Be sure to schedule a time shortly after portraits are taken to have them bustle your dress.

If you’re planning a photo guest book where guests use an instant-print camera, you’ll need a volunteer to manage the station during high-traffic times—such as the beginning of the reception and while guests wait in the buffet line (if applicable). Make sure they know how to reload the film and where to find extra packs.

Before the big day, have someone write a message on the first page of the guest book to serve as an example. Should guests just sign their name? Leave a short note? Write a heartfelt message? This small detail helps guide them and makes them feel more comfortable adding their own entry.

Finally, ask your DJ to remind guests to sign the book twice throughout the evening.

This seems obvious, but it's easy to lose focus. Each couple's preferences are different, but most likely you want to have fun and you want to remember your day. Invest in a great photographer and a photobook and some framed prints to display in your home. If you can't afford what the photographer offers and your contract allows, you can always print photobooks on your own, although the quality won't be as high. 

To make sure you have fun, be sure you aren't in charge of coordinating your day. You need a professional (like me!) or at the very least, a well-organized volunteer who can take charge. You need to be able to pose for photos, relax, dance, and internalize the memories you're making, which you can't do if you're stressed and exhausted. Also make sure there are people to pack up, clean up, and most importantly, put away tables and chairs, at the end of the night. Either book a venue that provides these services, hire an event services team, or designate volunteers. With very few exceptions, these are the last things a couple should be doing on their wedding day.

It’s easy to overestimate how well guests will understand where to go, what to do, and when to do it. Unlike you, they haven’t spent months in the planning weeds—and some may have never even attended a wedding. Clear, easy-to-read signage is essential anywhere guests need direction.

Reception Layout Tips

• If possible, place the bar, non-alcoholic beverage station, and buffet in separate areas to prevent congestion.

• If you’ll have lots of children at your reception, position the cake table near a wall rather than in the middle of the room—this reduces the chances of cake toppling and little hands sneaking desserts.

Seating & Signage

• Guests want to know where to sit. If you have assigned seating, place a large sign near the entrance.

• One bride printed table assignments on the back of ceremony programs--an easy solution.

Setting Boundaries with Food & Desserts

• If your buffet isn’t staffed, keep the food covered until you’re ready for guests to serve themselves.

• If you don't want people grabbing desserts until the cake is cut, leave a sign on the cake table letting them know the dessert bar will open after cake cutting. 

Wedding Favors: How to Actually Get Rid of Them

I generally recommend skipping favors, but if you have them, make sure they don’t go to waste. Once guests start leaving (which, for some, may be right after dinner), move the favor table so it is practically blocking the exit and add a sign reminding them to take one. For the biggest departure wave at the end of the night, assign someone to stand by the table and hand them out.

If your family insists on following every wedding tradition—or if you’re having completely open seating (where even family can sit on either side)—you can skip this tip. Otherwise, consider using reverse family seating at your ceremony.

With this setup, a few rows at the front are still reserved for family, but the bride’s family sits on the right, and the groom’s family sits on the left. This way, they get to see their loved one’s face during the ceremony rather than just their back.

You can inform family members about this seating arrangement ahead of time or during the rehearsal.

You’ll need three key ingredients: an open bar, a core group of guests who love to dance, and a way to get everyone onto the dancefloor at once. This last step is crucial—it’s your best shot at building enough momentum to keep the party going.

Here are a couple of strategies to make it happen:

• Group Photo Trick – Have the DJ call everyone onto the dancefloor for a group photo, then launch straight into an upbeat song.

• Reverse Anniversary Dance – Start with just the newlyweds, then have the DJ invite others in stages: all the kids, uncoupled guests, couples together less than a year, then fewer than five years, and so on—until you reach those married 50+ years. Right after, transition into a high-energy dance song.

Now, about that song… I don’t care if you love it or hate it, but your first dance song needs to be "The Cupid Shuffle." It never fails to get people of all ages (and blood alcohol levels) onto the dancefloor. Why? Because it’s non-intimidating—it literally tells you what to do. You are not above Cupid—let him help you!

Your wedding party will have a much, much better time at the reception if you leave space at the head table to include their dates. You've never seen someone as alienated as your out-of-state groomsman's new girlfriend, who has been relegated to Table 18. She doesn't know anyone, and her date is a half-acre away--help her out!

Also, don’t forget about your vendors. Photographers, the DJ, your coordinator—anyone working the full reception—needs to eat. If you can’t designate a table for them, at least set aside a stack of plates, utensils, and napkins with your coordinator. Vendors don’t mind eating outside, in the bridal suite, or even in a storage closet—but there’s something downright dehumanizing about having to beg strangers for a fork. 

Every unneeded item at your wedding doesn’t just stretch your budget—it adds another thing to think about, plan for, transport, unpack, place, repack, and load up. Of course, what’s important varies from couple to couple, so do what works for you. But here are a few things to consider skipping, in my humble opinion:

• Wedding Favors: Unless they’re incredibly meaningful to your family, most favors won’t even be taken—and the ones that are will likely end up in the trash later. Plus, no one will probably even notice or care if you skip them. (Also, see tip #6.)

• Personalized Cups, Napkins, and Beer Cozies

• Hired Getaway Car

• Wedding Dress Preservation: Do you know anyone who wore their mother or grandmother’s dress? If so, feel free to skip this one.

• Lawn Games: Unless you have a lot of kids at your wedding, or the entire event is outdoors on a beautiful day, these probably won’t see much use.

• Wedding World is a beautiful and enticing place, but if you aren’t careful, you could end up blowing your budget, looking like someone you don’t recognize, or having a wedding that pleases everyone but you.

• I recommend choosing one word that represents what you want your wedding to be: meaningful, traditional, enjoyable, memorable, or unique. Write that word in large letters on your wedding planning folder or in your online documents.

• Whenever a new idea comes up, or someone suggests something you’re unsure about, ask yourself: Will it make my wedding more meaningful, traditional, or whatever my word is? Maybe your word is something entirely different, but narrowing down what’s most important to you and keeping it front and center will help you stay on track.