Celebrity Reception Inspiration

Are you having trouble planning the details of your reception?  Let's look to the stars for a little inspiration!  Celebrity receptions are known for their extravagance and posh style, often without the constraints of a budget.  Look over these unique ideas for some revelations of your own.

Locations

After renewing their vows in 2002, Marc Anthony and Dayanara Torres celebrated at the Cuartel de Ballaja - an exclusive Spanish garrison in San Juan that dates back to 1854.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes chose the 15^th century Odescalchi Castle as the location of their ceremony and reception. 

Liz Taylor and Larry Fortensky shared their wedding day at the Neverland Ranch of Michael Jackson.

Decorations

Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof awed guests with color-changing lights decorating the trees at their lakeside reception.  After each course, the trees changed colors.

A private fireworks celebration was the most spectacular moment of Eva Longoria and Tony Parker's French castle reception.

Menus

Instead of a formal dinner, guests enjoyed a light menu of empanadas, coconut shrimp, tuna tartare, and mojitos at the Beverly Hills reception of Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman.

Marcia Cross and Tom Mahoney treated their guests to a gourmet confections table, complete with rock candy, chocolate-covered strawberries, and saltwater taffy.

Julia Roberts and Danny Moder kept things informal at their Independence Day wedding reception with a grilled selection of hotdogs, corn on the cob and lemon chicken.

Cakes

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell decided to forego traditional wedding cake at their ranch style reception.  Instead, guests indulged in red velvet and country apple cupcakes.

Tom and Katie's wedding cake was just as spectacular as their castle location.  The 5-tier white chocolate confection was decorated with elegant marzipan roses.

Carlene Carter celebrated her country heritage with a wedding cake in the shape of grandmother Maybelle Carter's autoharp at her reception after marrying Joe Brown in 2006.

Music

Liza Minnelli and David Gest chose a rather traditional first dance song, "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole.  Rather than hiring a DJ, Natalie Cole performed the tune live.

Pop band Hootie and the Blowfish performed at the reception of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren.

Unique Celebrity Touches

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott treated guests at their California reception to a silent movie, lasting 40 minutes, of their private wedding and week in Fiji.

Raw silk and crystal accents were the materials used to create seating cards at the celebrity reception of Mariska Hargitay and Peter Herman.