How To Plan Your Daughter's Mexican Wedding Reception

Are you or yours from south of the border? Perhaps you and your daughter aren't Hispanic, but you have decided together that it would be fun to have a Mexican theme for your daughter's wedding reception. If so, think of the word festive and you'll have the start of a memorable event.

The Decorations - Consider whether you want to go with a colorful theme or a neutral one. 

• You might think that you have to have a lot of color, but that's not the case.
• A really unique idea would be to have pure white with touches or color.
• If you go with white plus color, think of using colorful pottery Mexican birds as part of the centerpiece.
• If you're going with color, then use bright colors like pink, turquoise, yellow, purple and blue. 
• Brass would be a great contrast whether you use white or bright colors.

The Food - Who doesn't like Mexican food? This will be a cinch for you.

• Start by finding a caterer that specializes in Mexican food.
• Ask yourself if you're going to have a buffet or if you'll have a seated meal.
• For a buffet, think about having a build your own fajita with traditional sides.
• For a sit down dinner, consider having ​carne asada, chile relleno or huachinango. 
• Besides the wedding cake, think about also serving polvorones, suspiros, and Mexican candy.

The Entertainment - Besides honoring the bride and groom and eating fabulous Mexican food, your guests will also want to visit.

• Are you having the event at your home or at a rented banquet hall?
• If there's space, for sure plan dancing to have a real Mexican wedding.
• Consider hiring a Mariachi band to serenade the bride and groom.
• Think about calling a dance school to see if there's anybody who can perform Mexican folk dances.
• If would be very special to ask the bride's cousins and siblings to sing the couple's favorite song to them.

Everybody loves to take home a party favor to remember the bride and groom. Consider a tiny bottle of Mexican vanilla, or a tiny bottle of tequila with the bride and groom's picture on it. Another idea is to give each guest a Mexican pecan praline or other Mexican candy. Again, a picture of the bride and groom as part of the gift would be appropriate. Also, a message of appreciation tied to whatever party favor you choose would be nice.