Minimize "down time" between ceremony and reception.
No one wants to hang around for a reception that starts three hours after the ceremony. Plan ahead to avoid this problem during busy wedding seasons.

Forget messy foods.
People dress really nice for weddings. Don't create dry-cleaning nightmares for the ones you love. Plan on a delicious menu, but one that's easy to eat. This is especially true if you are going to have kids attend the reception.

Don't forget your guests' dietary needs.
Make sure your caterer can accommodate common dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, low-sodium, non-yeast and low-fat. You may not know who needs what in advance, so plan to have a few special meals available for anyone who asks. You may want to ask about any special diets on your invitations.

Don't allow your exotic tastes to dictate the menu.
Your loved ones may not share your passion for fish eggs and snail. Serve foods that reflect not only your own tastes, but will also appeal to the majority of your guests. Don't pay for food that will remain on the plate.

Never assume anything - get it in writing!
A handshake and a smile may feel nice and friendly, but you need a contract with everyone's John Hancock on it. That is especially true for the caterer and the reception hall. If something goes awry, you'll have no legal recourse unless you get it in writing.

Don't forget to tip the caterer.
Some caterers include a service charge on their bill. If not, don't forget to tip them for a job well done. The usual service charge is 15 percent.

Don't forget: YOU are in charge, it's your party, it's your big day.
Don't let anyone - not the professionals you hired, or some relatives control the activities of the day