6 Details to Wrap Up At the End of a Wedding Reception
Here are six tasks to take care of immediately following the reception.
Photo: Benjamin Garrett Photography
The vows have been exchanged, the confetti has been tossed, the cake has been devoured, and the newlyweds have left the building. The party may be over, but there are still some important details to wrap up before calling it a night.
Have a Rental Breakdown Plan
Any items that have been brought in and set up specifically for the wedding must now be packed up and returned. This might entail breaking down a tent, disassembling a dance floor, stacking chairs, folding tables, clearing plates, gathering linens to be sent to the cleaners, or packing up tabletop decor. Go through your rental contracts ahead of time and make sure that each includes a take-down service. Some rental companies will request a copy of a site plan or room diagram, so it’s important to arrange these details in advance.
Have a Flower Plan
Work with your florist to decide where the flowers will be taken after the event. If you don’t want to toss them, you can either give them away to guests, take them home for yourself, store them to use as decor the following day (if you’ve planned a day-after brunch or luncheon, for example), or donate them (there are organizations dedicated to re-purposing floral arrangements and delivering them to local hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities).
Pack Up Personal Belongings
Load up the car with any items that belong to you. This could include card boxes, guest books, wedding gifts, any decorative items you have provided on your own, or even leftover food, alcohol, or dessert. Have boxes or bags on hand to make packing quick and efficient.
Store the Wedding Gown
The bridal gown should be neatly placed in a garment bag and hung somewhere safe. You may also want to have a plan for preserving it after the wedding.
Tip Your Vendors
Show your wedding vendors your appreciation for their hard work by tipping them at the end of the event. Not sure who to tip and how much? Refer to our handy Tipping Guide!
Thank the Host
Before heading home, be sure to track down the host(s) and say thank you. And if you are the host, give yourself a pat on the back for pulling off a great celebration!
