Everybody wants a perfect wedding. You put months of careful planning into every detail, from your ceremony to the dresses and, of course, the reception. However, many people still make some of the most common mistakes when planning a wedding reception without even realizing it. Today, we're looking at what these mistakes are and how you can prevent them.

Neglecting the catering

Catering is one of the largest expenses for any reception, so try to get everything in writing and make sure everyone is ready to chow down. No matter who you have handling the food on your big day, you want to make sure to sort out all the details with your caterer ahead of time. Even if you book a smaller service, take the time to go over all the details of the food service before your big day.

Misjudging the length of the reception

An ideal wedding reception is between four and five hours long. If you make it too short, your guests may be confused about the order of events, and if it runs too long, your guests will burn out. A common mistake when planning a reception is keeping the party going for too long. This can throw off the DJ’s rhythm, and you don’t want that—their music is the lifeblood of the party! We recommend planning a playlist with your DJ ahead of time and getting a feel for how long the party will last. Don’t forget to plan a backup cocktail hour for a more relaxing way to end the evening.

Failing to ensure adequate space

Whether your reception is outdoors or in a rented hall, you want to ensure your guests have room to move. Nobody likes a cramped dance floor, and a lengthy buffet line risks some of your hungrier guests making a detour for the open bar instead. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to tell how much space you will need at the time you send out your save the dates and invitations. Try to factor in a little extra space when booking your venue in case more people RSVP yes than you anticipated.