If you choose to have a wedding on Dec. 31, you might want to plan the wedding during the afternoon or early evening, and the reception at night (maybe starting at 10 p.m., so that guests arrive in time for the ball to drop at midnight). This way, you can have a traditional ceremony at a church or other location, and then change into party attire for the evening reception. This also will accommodate families with young children, and elderly guests who may not be able to attend a midnight ceremony.
Ideal color schemes for a New Year's Eve wedding reception are silver and black or silver and white. Attire should be formal, yet festive for a New Year's Eve reception. The bride may change into a glittery cocktail gown, and the groom may choose a classy gray suit instead of a tuxedo.
Food can be kept to an appetizer buffet, since the party will take place late in the evening, near the stroke of midnight. Think won tons, buffalo wings, vegetable trays, fruit and cheese plates, meatballs, garden salads, and other things that are easy to eat standing up. You'll probably want to provide a full bar, since many who don't drink alcohol regularly make an exception for New Year's. Of course, you'll also want to have a stock of champagne on hand.
For table decorations, have fun! Table bouquets may be made of white roses or tulips. Scatter white table cloths with glitter, confetti and glow-in-the dark stars. Votive and pillar candles can be placed throughout the reception, and when the clock hits midnight, you can dim the lights and ring in the New Year by candlelight. You could place a large ice sculpture in the center of the room to catch the glimmer of the candlelight. Make sure "Old Lang Syne" is in your DJ's collection, or on the wedding CD you have prepared. Wedding favors may include noisemakers, champagne bottle-shaped chocolates, magnet calendars for the upcoming year, chocolate fortune cookies or party hats. If you plan to offer a wedding CD as a favor, consider a "Best of the Past Year" compilation of your favorite songs. When the stroke of midnight hits, crank up the music and dance the rest of the night away. This will surely be a New Years Eve that no-one will forget.
