Number of Guests

• When planning a wedding reception, it is very important to pay attention to the number of guests. Choose a number you can reasonably manage to prepare the food for and not break your budget. The number of guests will play a key role in determining the location, the time of day, and the menu.
  
  

The Menu

• When you know how many guests will be attending, the time your reception will take place, and the location, you can start to plan the menu. Whether you choose to have afternoon tea and sandwiches, a buffet of soups and salads, a full dinner or a dessert-only buffet, you may want to keep your dishes as simple as possible. Also consider serving dishes that can be prepared in advance and easily stored until the reception. The simpler your dishes, the less time you'll tend to spend in the kitchen, and it also lessens the chance that something may go wrong with a recipe.
  
  

Recruit Family and Friends

• You may not have to do all the shopping, food preparation and serving by yourself if you recruit family and friends to help you. Make a list of people who can help you with the grocery list, are skilled with cooking or baking, can help serve guests and replenish food supplies.
  
  Divide your list into groups and assign tasks to each individual in the group according to his abilities. Things will run much smoother if everyone is assigned a task and is clear her duties. Choose one person from the list to be the coordinator and the "go-to" person for any questions or problems.
  
  

Equipment

• Buy or rent glassware, plates, knives, forks, spoons, serving dishes and spoons, napkins, tablecloths, and ice buckets. For cutlery, dishes, flatware, and glassware, consider renting these from a local caterer or catering supply company. For an extra fee, many caterers will supply a staff to help you serve and clean up.
  
  

Items Often Forgotten

• The items that are almost always needed, but tend to be overlooked, are salt and pepper, condiments, butter, sugar, creamer and milk, bottle opener, water, jugs, ice and ice buckets, ashtrays, and garbage bags. Depending on the amount of food, extra food storage containers may be needed as well.