Creative, cost effective place for wedding reception?

Question

I am having a small wedding (just my folks and my husband to be) and even with how small it is its already becoming overwhelming! My husband can't have his family (they live far away) and we will do another ceremony when we get to see them again but Because he can't have them now (hes sad) I want to have a party with our coworkers and his friends. We have a very small one bedroom apt and he doesn't want it there, my parents have a rundown old , small house, and we dont have friends with houses, anyone have any good ideas for some place that is free and or fairly cheap (under 50 bucks)

I figured could buy cake, platters of food, and have my family and friends make a few dishes but we need a location! heh

To note: I live in CasselBerry florida (near orlando) and all friends are in ORL

Answer 1

Consider a park. Do the 2 of you live near a lake or pond? Often you can have a party there completely free. State parks often charge a small fee, but not much. If you are a member of a church, you could ask them for the fellowship hall.
Many college campuses rent out a room in their student union for a very small fee (under $50). Many neighborhoods have a clubhouse that rents for a small fee to residents of the neighborhood. Often small beach front weddings can get out there, set up and married without the fee and permits (and some beaches don't even have a fee, but you'd have to look hard).
Are you looking for a spot for the wedding and reception? For small parties with coworkers and all that, why don't you consider renting a room at a restaurant and just having everyone buy their own meal. Celebratory dinner more so than a reception.

It just seems like its getting overwhelming b/c you are trying to please everyone. One reception here, one for his family, one for coworkers and friends. It's getting ridiculous. You need to just sit down and have a gathering. People either come or they dont--but no need to do 7 different parties for everyone. If you live very far away then yes do one for your side and one for his side. But usually members of a church can borrow the fellowship hall for free (Shriners Temples and Moose Lodges also do this) and if you are flying out to his family, one of them should be a member of an organization that will let you.

Answer 2

I think a park makes a wonderful setting for weddings and receptions. And it's generally free or you might have to make a really small donation. But if you want to go indoors (I'm not sure what time of year you are getting married) it may be tricky to get something for under $50. I'm not sure if a lodge would rent a room for that much, or some kind of community center. Maybe you could put up a post on craiglist.com in your area?

Answer 3

Check with your local parks department.

There are usually many available outdoor pavilians or buildings owned by the Parks and Recreation Department of Cities.

We had my wedding reception in a beautiful room overlooking a river in our area and it only cost $20 for the whole day to rent it.

Answer 4

Local rose garden, community park. Check with nearby universities, they normally have gardens or beutiful fields where you can have a ceremony.

Also, check with VFW, American legion or check for a comunity social hall. All towns have one and it's normally affordable.

Also, check on local golf courses, you may be able to use the lodge.

Another idea (an on your budget) is to rent the local school cafeteria or gym. Since school is out of session, you can request it for a small fee.

Good luck

Congrats and good luck

Answer 5

See if you can rent your local firehouse or VFW hall - most of them just want a donation - you may have to spend a little more than the $50....

Otherwise, what about going to the local parks' dept and getting a permit to have a BBQ in the local park or beach?

Answer 6

What about at a park or by a lake? I dont know where you're located, but I'm near Bakersfield and here we have a nice, big park called Hart Park. That would be a great place to have it because there's no charge, its nice, and your guests can feel comfortable and you can fit as many as you want. We also have Buena Vista lake. There's a $6 fee for every car, but I'm sure your guests wouldnt mind that. Here's what I'm talking about:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=hart+park,+bakersfield,+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.598824,70.488281&ie=UTF8&ll=35.424308,-118.931122&spn=0.151354,0.275345&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1
As you can see, its really close to the city, but its not just a little neighborhood park where you'll feel weird because people will be staring at you.

Here's the lake:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Buena+Vista+aquatic+recreation+area,+buttonwillow,+ca&ie=UTF8&ll=35.264403,-119.253502&spn=0.151654,0.275345&z=12&iwloc=A&om=1
This one's a little more out there, but still good.

Now if you have anything like that near your location, I think that would be a great place to start.

Answer 7

Have it at your local park - they are usually free or maybe $25 to rent for all day - have a bbq/potluck and just enjoy yourselves!

Answer 8

try a local park or recreation area. most of them can rent you a pavilion for a pretty small amount.

Answer 9

your budget is very limited!! but why not a barbeque! go to one of those big parks book some space(they are cheap) and have a a nice family picnic and barbeque

Answer 10

does your city have an Arboretium (a tree park)? They often have gazeboes, and perhaps you could have a small gathering there, and it would be a really pretty setting.