Setting up your hall for the reception
The owner of the hall should be a great resource on this topic but in case they aren't or you don't have time to discuss it with them, here are some things to keep in mind.
At the entrance you should have a table for your guestbook. It is important to have it as the first point of contact as guests will want to sign it upon arriving. If you are having arranged seating, you should a seating list available on this table. There is an option to have someone in charge and man the guest table. This is a great way to involve someone important in your wedding. Do you have a close family friend with a son or daughter old enough to take care of the guestbook table?
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The gift table placement is extremely important. It must be close enough to the door that guests do not have to carry gifts all over the hall looking for a place to put the gifts. However, you do not want it so close to the door that anyone can enter and make off with your gifts. I recommend having a basket or wedding chest for cards so they don't get lost.
At most weddings the bar will be a high traffic area. Be sure not to position anything near the bar, allowing room for guests to form a line.
Sometimes the dance floor can double as the buffet area. Once the speeches and dinner are done, the buffet can be moved to make room for a dance floor and a DJ booth. The booth should be out of the way as cables and equipment can be an eyesore and there will not be much traffic to this booth apart from guests requesting songs.
For the comfort of your guests, be sure not to put more than 6 or 8 people at each guest table. Ideally you want every guest to be facing the head table and have an unobstructed view, if space will allow. Immediate family and parents should occupy the tables closest to the wedding party table. I recommend raising the head table on a platform so that is visible even for those guests unfortunate enough to be positioned at back of the room. If possible, avoid setting it up in front of a window. This will cause reflections for the photographer or any guests trying to take pictures during dinner.
If you are getting married in the summer, be sure to consider the sun. You will not want your cake sitting in the hot sun, melting the icing. Place your cake table somewhere shaded so it keeps it's shape until it is cut.
