Here are some tips and ideas we have learned from our many years of catering experience

1. Consult your clergyman and photographer ahead of time about time durations needed for the ceremony, receiving line, and after-ceremony photographs.

2. Put a specific time on your Wedding Invitation for your cocktail hour/reception. There is typically a 2-3 hour interval between ceremony and reception. By designating a time, your guests will know how much time to expect in between. It ensures that no one arrives at the reception too early . . . or too late!

3. Note on your invitation that your reception is being held at “The Covered Bridge Room at Kimberton Fire Company”. The hall can be accessed from both Kimberton Road and Route 113.
4. Use place cards to specify assigned seating for your guests. Place cards should be arranged in alphabetical order, by the guest’s last name, on a table near the front entrance:
   Mr. And Mrs. John Abbott
   Mr. And Mrs. Sam Harris
   Miss Natalie Laughlin and Guest
   The Covered Bridge Room has table numbers at no extra charge.
5. Remember to assign a seat for clergymen, D.J. or band members, photographer(s), and/or videographer(s) if they will be included in the meal.
6. Schedule all wedding accessories (cakes, desserts, flowers, decorations, beer/soda, DJ’s) to arrive and be set up in the reception hall prior to any guests arriving. It is more appealing for the guests to see that everything has been prepared for their arrival!
7. Don’t overdo the hors d’oeurves. You have already selected a full menu for your reception meal. Too many hors d’oeurves spoil your guests’ appetite. Keep it light and easy. Some suggestions include vegetable/fruit trays, cheese/crackers, or pretzels/chips.
8. Be on time! Bride and Groom should arrive at the reception hall no later that ½ hour before the meal is to be served. This allows the wedding party time to re-group and prepare for the introductions. Late wedding party arrivals disrupt the catering schedule, and annoy your hungry guests.;
9. Carefully consider your guests’ preferences when choosing a Toasting beverage. There are many other options besides champagne. Champagne can be expensive, and we find that many people do not like it, so it goes untouched. Wines, sparkling ciders, or just the beverages served from the bar are some alternatives. Consider grape juice for your younger guests.
10. The wedding cake should be cut approximately 1-1.5 hours after the meal is completed. This ensures that more of your guests stay for the other reception activities. The Covered Bridge Room provides cake-cutting service at no extra charge. Cake slices work best wrapped in napkins. Cake bags can be difficult to use when trying to work with heavily iced cake.

Tip: Undecorated sheet cakes made from the same recipe as your wedding cake can be a cost-saving and creative solution to the large, expensive wedding cakes. The sheet cakes would allow you to reduce the size of the decorated cake, yet still have enough cake for all your guests!

We at The Covered Bridge Room want to make sure your wedding reception is the perfect ending to your wonderful day.
Please let us know how we can help you!