There is a new trend of Welcome Receptions being seen at South Asian weddings. More than a cocktail hour, Welcome Receptions are opportunities for guests to interact, be entertained and have fun.
South Asian weddings are always big, beautiful productions but unfortunately, sometimes lacking in structure. The colors are vibrant and the appetizers are delicious. You take your seat as you arrive, watching guests trickle in and are usually at your seat for the duration unless you’re getting up for food or finally, dancing! As you sit there, adorned, don’t you wish you had an outlet for mingling?
A welcome reception allows just that: a space and time for guests to snack on hors d’oeuvres, sip from a chai bar or partake in cocktails or mocktails at high tables while enjoying each other’s company, still looking fresh. The idea for the welcome reception is to allow guests to mingle by offering them opportunities for conversations. An hour for a welcome reception before dinner allows guests to gather in an enclosed space and provides an opportunity for them to be wow-ed when the doors to the reception open. Movement from one space to another is a sure recipe to avoid a stale event and up the excitement level.
A welcome reception is typically located in the lobby or an outside space that lends itself as a blank slate to create an immersive experience. Think of fun, unusual ideas that encourage interaction. Fo example, catering company Neuman’s Kitchen recently launched a partnership with celebrity Chef Floyd Cardoz, winner of Top Chef Masters Season Three, where the Chef cooks live for you guests. Imagine the delight of your guests as they walk in to a chat station serviced by a celebrity chef.
Other ideas include a personalized guest “book” or perhaps take it step further and make it a life-size guest book with giant pens. Photobooths are always fun especially when there is a life-sized cut out of the couple, but step it up a notch by adding in celebrity impersonators. Extra points if you can find Bollywood impersonators. Other fun ideas include drinks-based activities like chai bars, c/mocktail bars or our favorite, champagne girls, a signature of Glamorous Event Planners and Productions. It allows the energy of the wedding to build and a festive mood sets in.
When negotiating your contract with your venue, ask about a separate area for a welcome reception and ask what the venue can offer for this activity. Companies like Vacationeeze can help you negotiate free welcome receptions including food and drinks when you book your destination wedding through them.
This trend of welcome receptions offer a refreshing structure in a subtle, yet chaotic organized way! — By Khadija Hansia, South Asian Wedding Planner of Limelight Productions
