Ceremony/Reception in same room?

Some of the weddings I've been to have done it and it worked out just fine. We are considering doing the same but haven't totally made up our minds yet. I think it would depend on how much work you want to do in between the ceremony and reception.

Wedding 1

The chairs were arranged with an aisle down the center for the ceremony. After the ceremony all the chairs had to be moved so that tables could be set up before the chairs were returned to them. This was a small wedding in a very small space.

Wedding 2

All the (round) tables and chairs were set up before the ceremony and everyone sat at their table for the ceremony. The couple did a good job arranging the tables so that everyone could see from where they were in the room. After dinner, some of tables were folded up and moved out so that a dance floor could be opened up.

These friends of ours are very laid back people, as are their families and most of our friend network. To them, us, and the other guests it seemed like a fine thing to do. I'm sure there are others that would not agree because it's not as traditional or formal. These weddings were pretty DIY the wedding parties took care of the moving of tables/chairs. I thought the weddings looked nice, though. They were simple with sweet touches of decor.

I've definitely heard of a lot of people doing the room flip and I've seen it once. Does your venue do this regularly? They should have a good idea of time required and even some past pictures!

Is there a space for your guests to do a cocktail hour while you guys take pictures? Cocktail hour with drinks and appetizers for guests is customary while you are taking pictures!

We are doing a vow renewal and it's a huge space so plenty of room.. no help here I say do what you want..

Ours is more about the celebration aspect but renewals are a bit different

We'll have to do it if it's too cold/yucky. The room will be set up for the ceremony and then will be flipped during the cocktail hour while the guests are in the lobby/sitting/bar areas. It's done all the time at this venue, so it's not a huge undertaking.

You could always just have guests sit at the tables during the ceremony if there isn't a separate place for them to go during the cocktail hour.

We'll have to do it if it rains and we can't do our outdoor ceremony. Flipping the same room/barn is the plan B. I've seen this done well before but there's always been a separate area for cocktail hour while the flip happens. Our cocktail hour is at a covered porch outside the barn so that will be the case even if plan B while they switch. Does your venue have a space for this? If your venue does the switch pretty often, they should be quick. But since you're doing photos after the ceremony, have a plan for cocktail hour. One of the room flip weddings we were at had cocktail hour at a garden on the property. The garden wasn't suitable for a ceremony or reception but worked well for a casual cocktail hour.

My friends recently did this in a fairly smalls space... There was a stage/alter at one end of the room. The caterer set up the tables - family style (rectangular, with place settings on both sides) and pushed the tables to the sides ofthe room. The chairs all were set up for the ceremony at the side of the room facing the stage. After the ceremony finished, the bridal party went for photos, the guests got up and went to the other end of the room, where cocktails were being served, with a few standing cocktail tables, while the catering staff folded up the chairs, pushed the tables into place, then re-set the chairs around the tables.

It was all done in about 20 minutes, and it was very easy and not disurptive to the guests at all. That said, what will help is choosing a caterer who's worked in your space before - they will know how to do this, and do it fast and efficiently. A caterer who's never worked the space will take more time - and should do a walk-through with you before the wedding, and you should make up a diagram to come to agreement on what they'll do, and then give them a copy, so there's no surprises.

This is absolutely common, and fine and a great way to save money. I'd be shocked at any venue open more than a year that's not done this a dozen times or more.... Talk to the venue and caterer and ask them to share what works best forthe space, and be flexible. If you were thinking round tables, and they say rectangular work better - go with it. that will be less stress on the day of, and will make the process run smoother for everyone.

Ours will be all in one room. It has a 600 person capacity and we'll have 200-275 guests most likely, so it's probably all going to be set up from the start.

We are doing everything in one space as well. Our space is pretty large an has a dance floor/stage so we are still figuring out the logistics of it all but since my theme fits with the the idea we have we are thinking of setting the room up like a dinner club/cotton club an getting married on the stage. Then having guests have cocktail hour while we go take pics an then return for dinner/reception etc.

We are having our wedding and reception in the same space. Our space comes with a huge balcony, which is where our ceremony will be held.