Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Just Said Yes July 2025

Casual Reception??

Ryleigh, on January 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 5

Saved

Flag
Hide content

Hi! so me and my fiancé just got engaged in August and we are just finally starting planning our wedding. We plan to get married on July 20. And we already booked our venue for the ceremony. We are having trouble for figuring out what to do for our reception. We know we want to have it at either Hampton or Jenness Beach so I was wondering if anyone has had a reception there before? We want to have a very casual reception and we are looking at some caterers or food trucks but no luck so far. we were looking at more of a picnic theme, where we would purchase a bulk amount of beach towels and flip-flops and decorate them all up nicely and have them posted by the entrance to our reception so we’d let the guests just kinda set up their own little areas if they do choose. We are having a fairly small wedding. Would this be possible to do?

Flag
Hide content

5 Comments

Latest activity by Michael, on January 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM

Master October 2023
Michael · on January 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Flag

Hide content
Will it be obvious to guests that the wedding ceremony will be casual? Why do you want a beach location?
I think the reception depends on who your guests are and what they would expect. If it happens that not all guests are outdoors type persons, you should have chairs and maybe tables. You probably should have shady areas too. It probably is good to have a grassy area that is right near the sand, if people will want to be out on the sand. Also, the Jenness Beach only has parking for 67 cars, which might not allow enough parking for guests.
You might be facing more expenses than finding a venue ready for receptions. Even a community center or VFW lodge could be used since they would have chairs and maybe a kitchen. So just balance out the style of reception and budget that would work for you.
- Reply
Super December 2022
LM · on January 11, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Flag

Hide content
So the reception, not ceremony, is on the beach with guests sitting on the floor? Some guests may have non-visible mobility issues where they can't walk on the sand or sit on the ground. If they wear dresses or skirts or clothes they don't want to dirty, they may decline to sit on beach towels and leave early. Michael made great points about communicating the casualness with guests early on and on invites. Perhaps another easy option is to book a space at a nearby beach bar, still casual but they supply their food, seating, parking, and bathrooms(!). Then you can do an optional, laid back after-party on the beach with those willing to stay. Maybe a bonfire if allowed🔥. Good luck.
- Reply
Just Said Yes July 2025
Ryleigh · on January 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Yes, I plan on putting on the invites that we are gonna have a casual cake and light refreshments reception. Me and my fiancé are pretty young so it’s mostly gonna be our friends, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all of which in their early 40s if not younger ) except for maybe 3 pairs of grandparents. I was thinking of renting the pavilion at hampton beach!
- Reply
Just Said Yes July 2025
Ryleigh · on January 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Yes we are gonna have our ceremony at a chapel and just have a casual reception at the beach. A bonfire is an awesome idea!
- Reply

Master October 2023
Michael · on January 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment

Sure. I had just looked at the Jenness Beach. Hampton Beach has a nice pavilion. It is decent to have the cake and light refreshments. This lets you, as the newly married couple, to share together after the ceremony. It sounds good that people who want to continue celebrating into the night around a fire pit can do that too.
- Reply