Ceremony at a Restaurant

If it is what you want, go for it! It is different, but not at all "stupid."

It will be nice and quaint. Love the idea

Restaurants are totally fine, but in my personal opinion, I would side eye a saloon restaurant slightly. But that's just because I don't like a western feel and picture them to be more casual than a wedding in my mind. I fancier restaurant I would totally do, but again this is just me. Your crowd may like saloons!

Restaurant ceremonies and receptions are just as nice as any other wedding. In fact, my son and DIL were married, in a tux and an elaborate gown, at a restaurant in September. The guest list was about 50 something people and the tables looked amazing (because I did the tall centerpieces, lol). The entire evening was exceptionally beautiful, and between the top shelf open bar, fantastic passed apps, and table side menu ordering, the hosting was spot on. The entire event lasted almost five hours, and that was without a DJ.

Now, I'm not sure what a saloon venue looks like, but if you make it look deliberate and host it perfectly -- and by that I mean a selection of meals, an open bar, nice décor, and centerpieces, it could absolutely be a memorable, beautiful wedding. In fact, their short ceremony/long reception impressed me so much that this would be exactly the way I'd host my own wedding.

If that is what you want, go for it!

That sounds like fun. I wish I could do a mcDs reception.

I think it is totally fine and not stupid at all!! People get married at golf courses, in barns, on rooftops, etc...how is a restaurant any more weird?? It's a great idea!

If the restaurant is ok with it I don't see why anyone else would have a problem.

We are having ours at a restaraunt, too. They have a second floor they rent out for private events with its own bar and kitchen

It's totally fine!

The only thing is just knowing the type of restaurant your guests will be in.

I used to work in a Mexican restaurant and we had a party room in the back, right next to the kitchen. Somebody got married in it and I had to work the wedding... ALL I could hear was the kitchen staff singing and laughing and being extremely loud. It was poor placement of a party room to say the least! That would be my only concern--just making sure it's not near a kitchen or any noisy area.

My ceremony and reception are both in a ballroom at a restaurant! I think it's perfectly fine! Remember it's your day, so do what YOU want!!

Thank you everyone!! I am feeling better about it and actually getting excited about it because having it there is more "me" and how my family would picture me getting married (my dad always said I would get married in jeans and a t-shirt on the back of a horse lol). I didn't want the traditional wedding, but I also didn't want to be too "out there" with my wedding day either, so I think this will be a great compromise.

Good for you, Amanda! Sticking to what feels "you" is always the best option. I'm sure it will be great!

This actually sounds like a lot of fun! The normal decor could be fun to play around with too in a saloon!

A lot of people have the ceremony and reception the same place these days. And the guests usually appreciate not having to travel between them.

Not at all! We do lots of little-er restaurant weddings!

Not at all! We do lots of little-er restaurant weddings!

I'm so glad I read this! I've been having somewhat of the same debate. Glad I am not the only one!

My wedding couples have elegant ceremonies like this all the time. Go for it. Best wishes!

I've officiated several weddings in restaurants. Guests don't have to drive from ceremony location to reception location. It's a reasonable cost when you don't have a 100 guests, because tables, chairs, linens, dishware, etc. are already there.