Reception
The word reception can mean two things in the event planning industry. First, it denotes an event in which appetizers and drinks are served and usually preludes another bigger event or gala. The reception is a great way to allow your guests to arrive at their leisure for appetizers and drinks so that everyone is there when the event actually begins. This is very helpful at an event where there is some type of program or speaker because it could be viewed as very disruptive and rude for people to enter late. A reception could also be the main event as well. It usually costs less because there isn’t much to think about other than the menu selection and maybe the décor on a smaller scale. A reception is viewed as a smaller scaled gathering much like a cocktail party, which is a little more involved.
A reception could also mean a sit down event in which light food and drinks are served. Receptions are usually smaller and are usually thrown as a prelude to something bigger. For instance, you might have a reception before a fashion show, or a corporate gala in order to get people geared up for the main event. The main event doesn’t even have to begin immediately following the reception, but it could. If the reception is the main event it will usually only last for a couple of hours. If it is a preclude to a larger event then it might only be an hour. The idea is to make it short enough so people don’t get bored and long enough to make sure all the guests have arrived.
Another use for the word reception in the event planning industry is to denote an actually area in the venue such as the reception area of a hotel. A reception area is a place for receiving guests. You could have a set up of tables where attendants are waiting to greet guests and check in them into an event. The reception area is a place for your guests to receive help and is considered “outside” of the venue itself.
