how to do seating for ceremony and reception when space allows for one not both...?

Question

We are trying to choose our wedding and reception location. Originally we were going to marry at my fiance's family's church (my fiance and I are not religious and were doing it out of respect to his mother- who is) She has made it clear that she is touched we are considering her church, but understands that our beliefs differ from hers and won't be offended if we don't use the church.

Sooooo....we are considering having the ceremony and reception at the same site- the issue is- there isn't enough room to have seperate sites (seating for the ceremony seperate from tables and chairs for reception)

I would appreciate suggestions on how to do this! Would being seated at a table during the ceremony be too odd?

Answer 1

is there an outside courtyard at the reception hall? or some pretty scenery on the property? for example, im thinking of a small reception place near where i live, but there's a little koi pond with a stone walkway behind the building, with pretty trees. if there's something to that effect, you could say your vows there, and do your pics outside while your guests enjoy a cocktail hour in the already set up reception room.

Answer 2

Actually I was married in the reception hall prior to the reception. I have seen it done this same way many timed.

The reception hall is set up just like it would be for the reception. When guests come in the find their name and table, as usual.

What differs is how you set up the decorations for the ceremony vs the reception.

For example, we were married under an arbor (garden trellis type thing). The arbor was in the middle toward the back of the dance floor, so i still had an aisle to walk down. I also had plaster columns lining the "aisle". the arbor and columns were moved when it was time to start the reception.

A friend of mine was married under a string of balloons, we moved the balloons after the ceremony.

So it really is pretty simple. Also another idea is to assemble all of the chairs form the tables on the dance floor and then once the ceremony is done move them back to the tables, but that would probably be a lot of trouble, so unless you are set on having everyone seated in rows, I would skip that!

Good luck, I am sure your wedding will be beautiful, I know mine was!! (and we had more time to party!!)

Answer 3

I am getting married in two weeks and am having the ceremony and reception at the same place - I think its going to be a hit!

The wedding is at 7pm, with the reception immediately to follow. It is in a hotel ballroom, we are going to have all of the guests seated at tables, with lots of candlelight. The tables are set up around the dance floor and we are getting married under an archway at the end of it. Everyone will have a really good view. After the ceremony we are going to serve champagne, have some hors d'ouvres and desserts, (a little mingling hour) and let the party begin. We will have a few speeches, a slideshow followed by the dance at about 8:30 or 9. I think the cocktail party style will be different, and the response we have gotten so far has been great. (No big break in between, very intimate!)

The only downfall is that we are getting pictures taken before...we don't mind it, but some brides definitely wouldn't want that!

Answer 4

It depends on the time of year you get married. If it's summer and you live near the beach (even a lake would do) you could get married on the beach and have a B-B-Q or clambake. Or, perhaps there is a farm or vineyard nearby that also has the facilities for an outdoor wedding and reception. If they can't provide enough tables, you can rent them. You could have the whole affair catered, if you wish, where they set up tables, and food stations (such as a salad bar.) You could get married under an decorated arch in your yard. Some caterers will provide a tent, all the tables, silverware, etc., and they will also provide you with professional servers. The caterers will provide the chairs for the ceremony as well.
If you are getting married in the wintertime, there are good restaurants who have banquet rooms, where you can also get married and have the reception immediately following.
But in either of these cases, I would avoid a small church and make it as easy as possible for your guests and especially for you. You don't want to be worrying on the day of your wedding. Reverends, or pastors, ministers, even priests, would be glad to conduct the marriage ceremony if you just ask.
CarolSandyToes1

Answer 5

I don't see why you can't combine the two....It wouldn't be odd at all and would save you bunches since you don't have to worry about transportation and will only need to decorate one place.

You could either have the tables around the dancefloor and do the ceremony in the middle...would work great since everybody would get a good view.

I've also done them where instead of the round tables we've set up longer square banquet style tables to create an asile and the ceremony is done at the back of the room. Afterwards the cake table is set up under the wedding arch.

Answer 6

You can have people stand at the ceremony, just make sure it's short and sweet. I went to an outdoor wedding like that. It was in someone's back yard, and there were a few chairs for older people and the rest of us stood for like 15 min max. Then have everyone seated for the reception. Or have a microphone system so everyone can hear if they are seated at tables. You can make it work.

Answer 7

I had my wedding at a catering hall and had the reception and ceremony in the same room, but I had a 1 hour cocktail hour in another room. During this time every thing was set up for dinner and dancing.

Now if you could get everyone up for an hour, to an outside garden or somewhere else, and have the room reorganized.

Answer 8

no i have seen that done before. i think that would be nice.
you would be able to do lots of candles on the tables and really light the location up if you can dim the lights for the ceremony.

maybe have the tables done so there is an isle for you to walk down/thru like you would at a church or other location....

i think it will make for a very memorable event

Answer 9

Just use the church, you are going to need time to take pictures and all that jazz while your guests make it over to the reception site. Unless you plan on serving dinner as soon as the wedding is over, sitting at a table for several hours before I eat would just be too weird for me.

Answer 10

it depends on how you do it as well as present it. remember however it is your day and do thing the way you are most comfortable with