I am planning to have my wedding and reception at the same place. It is a beautiful 3500 sq ft rectanglular site with windows on 3 sides and a great view. I just have no idea how to set it up to make the wedding flow to the reception directly afterwards. Any tips?
2007-10-31 07:00:40 · 11 answers · asked by Snow Bunnie 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
The one I saw like this had munchies and soft drinks available while the wedding party stayed behind for pictures. There was a slide show in the hall to entertain and occupy the guests until the pictures were done. It showed pictures of the bride and groom from when they were babies, up through school, when they met, when they dated, etc. It worked out fairly well.
2007-10-31 07:10:06 · answer #1 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm also having my ceremony and reception in the same place. It's about 5600 square foot rectangle.
Our ceremony is in the the back, where there is an outside patio and garden. All the tables will be set up in the main indoor room. Once the ceremony is over, our guests will walk to the other end of the space where there will be a bar and passed appetizers. This allows us to take pictures outside and the caterer to set up the buffet area, which will take place on the patio where we had the ceremony. Once the cocktail hour is over, guests will be seated and served a salad. Then the staff will start to direct tables to the buffet. It's a medium sized wedding, so that won't take too long. The place where the cocktail hour took place is also our dance floor, so once dance music gets started, there is a nice clear space for that.
The best way to find out the best flow for your space is to talk to the caterer and the site manager. If you don't have a day of coordinator, I suggest hiring one. They will be able to help you figure out the best use of space.
2007-10-31 07:16:27 · answer #2 · answered by Peace 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We did this as well. We got married in a room that was no bigger than 1500 sq feet, and it had a side room with a gorgeous antique bar in it.
We got married in the center of the room, under a huge chandelier we decorated with crystals, and greenery. We had rows of chairs in a circle around us, enough for about 125 people, and the big round tables set up outside of the rows of chairs for everyone else. We had four sections with aisles in between them.
Half of the circle of chairs consisted of just one row of chairs in which the parents and grandparents sat. The bridal party walked in and then the girls stood behind my parents and the boys behind his.
So if you can imagine - it was just us and the preacher in the middle of the room, we were facing our parents, and our backs were to the rest of the guests. MY MOH and his BM came forward when it was time for the ring exchange, and then walked back when that part was over. We opted not to do the candle lighting or anything like that.
Once the wedding ceremony was over, the preacher let everyone know that the bar was now open, as was the food buffet in the other side room, and to please enjoy that while the bridal party and immediate family goes outside to take pictures..
Everyone got drinks and food and mingled, we went outside and took pics together....and while they were doing that, several people we had designated pulled the round tables forward around the center of the room which was now the dance area, and put the extra chairs away.
It worked out perfectly. I didn't hear any complaints and everyone loved the fact that we got married in the center of the room - no one had a bad seat.
If you needed a way to "hide" the food and/or reception area until the wedding ceremony is over, buy some cheap fabric and drape it down in sections...and then you can have someone come in and gather each section and tie a bow around it. It will create some great ambiance, especially if you light the fabric with some colored light lenses somehow.
2007-10-31 07:45:08 · answer #3 · answered by SisterSue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I attended a wedding like this, this past weekend. The ceremony took place in front of the wall of windows in the front of the hall. The DJ was set up in the corner up there also. The minister faced the guests who were seated at our tables, with an aisle in the middle. After the ceremony the microphones were moved and the area became the dance floor. The bride and groom had a table reserved for them and their honor attendants and parents, then the rest of the party sat with their own families/friends. It worked out very well. They then took pictures as the guests mingled, hit the beverage and appetizer areas. Everything flowed very well. .
2007-10-31 07:22:57 · answer #4 · answered by Cory C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have the tables set up to where there is an aisle right down the middle. All of your guest could be already seated at their tables while the ceremony is going on. You could get an aisle runner so people will know that is where you will be walking. Then you could set up the DJ on the opposite side of the room. You could set up a small card table with your unity candle on it, right behind the minister or who ever will be reading the vows. After the ceremony is over, you could have someone clear that up and have the bridal party table there. Are you guys having it catered or buffet style? If buffet style, have the food set up by the windows so people can look out and enjoy the view while they are getting food. Hope I helped. Good Luck and Congrats!!!
2007-10-31 07:11:00 · answer #5 · answered by amrolraml 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that will be an amazing time. It will be nice that your guests do not have to travel to get from one site to the other. After the ceremony, have a place where your guests can go to do the cocktail hour with some appetizers. After the reception is done being set up, go back to that area and have your dinner and dance. Enjoy!
2007-10-31 07:15:37 · answer #6 · answered by vaya 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are doing the same thing. Our venue is doing a change over for us, where all of our guests will be ushered into a smaller lounge area with hors d'oeuvres and drinks while they bring out and set up the reception. It should only take them about 1/2 an hour to do this, which leaves us a little time for pictures.
Good luck!
2007-10-31 07:09:23 · answer #7 · answered by Mrs.10/18/08 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my wedding at a place like this. We had the ceremony outside on a patio. It was the end of March and a nice day. There was enough room to seat the 100 people.
Maybe if you have the ceremony on the dance floor with folding chairs for the guests.
The hall director should have handled this situation at least once before and will have some good ideas for you.
2007-10-31 07:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by Neebler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm doing something similar but mine will be a sort of indoor/outdoor option. So the ceremony will be outiside and so when my new hubby and I walk back up the aisle we'll go with the photographer to the beach (which is fenced off from the rest of the wedding location )to get a few pics and then when we come back the food will be out and the music started.
2007-10-31 08:44:27 · answer #9 · answered by chaychayolei 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi and congratulations!
I really don't have any advice other than some of the suggestions already posted, but why not speak with the event staff at your venue??? Obviously, you have not been the first couple to do this! They can guide you and give you suggestions as to how it can be done. Make an appointment to go there and discuss this with them. That is their business so they are more than willing to assist you!
Good luck. It sounds like a BEAUTIFUL venue! I hope you have a beautiful wedding!
2007-10-31 07:45:48 · answer #10 · answered by iloveweddings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋