Church ceremony and reception anyone?

It IS possible! The church FH goes to has done several weddings where the ceremony and reception were both there, and that's what we plan on doing as well. There is a school attached to the church, so others have used the gym for the reception. Not sure on the cost atm, but I know we can get a discount since he is a member of the church. Hope that helps!

We had our ceremony in our church sanctuary and reception in our fellowship hall downstairs. It was perfect. My hubby and I are both members and it didn't cost us anything. Our church simply required us to return the church to its cleanliness when we finished...we hired a cleaner (in the Baptist church they are called sexton). Our decorator came back at the end of everything and collected the decorations (rent-a-decorator) and that was perfect too as I don't do diy stuff. The caterer and his staff restored the kitchen and the dining hall too. Of course in a church there is no alcohol and that suited us fine as we don't drink. The small challenge we had was making sure the dj played love music that didn't include words like sex, bedroom or bump and grind and such...lol during the reception so that was fixed beforehand by giving him a list of songs to play. One of the requirements was our music had to be pre approved by our church musician. We didn't do first dance, bouquet or garter tosses either, not because we couldn't but we are widower and widow and those weren't important aspects of our wedding. We fed fed folk well and they were entertained with a pictures slideshow and biblical quotes appropriately placed that told our story of our courtship on various dates, the proposal, getting our license. The slideshow had backdrop instrumental love music with a few selections of gospel music. We are still getting compliments on the love and spiritual side reflected in our nuptials. Since our wedding was on a was on a Wednesday night we were very considerate of it being a school night.

Further input is we are longtime and participating members at our church and we are both in leadership positions there.

Hi Holly! Welcome to the WeddingWire Community! This is common; there are a number of couples who choose this option. It could probably work out quite convenient!! Are you thinking of hiring a coordinator to help decorate the church if you take this route?

We're doing an off-site ceremony, but reception back at the church in the fellowship hall and attached gym. Most churches just ask for a donation and that it be left clean when you leave. Ours has several tables and chairs, and any additional, we will just buy and keep to use in our catering business. They also have white linens and some decorations and other things we'd be able to use, like vases, punch bowls and serving trays. We also should be able to get in to decorate anytime after Wednesday night services. We plan on donating some of the decorations to the church in addition to the monetary donation.

View Quoted Comment Thank you Mandy! That really helps!

View Quoted Comment This is similar to what we want! No alcohol, and also no first dance followed by dancing etc. FH does not want to dance in front of everyone and I don’t want weird music playing like you said, it’s just about our love and God. Thanks!!

View Quoted Comment Neffe, Yes I think I will need a day of coordinator.. I have lots of diy stuff and things to worry about already. Thanks!

View Quoted Comment Hi Sara, I’m really hoping our church will have some tables, and I’d much rather pay my church than spend thousands somewhere else for a reception! Thanks!!

My aunt and uncle did this. I don't know any details about cost, etc. It was a pretty basic reception because it was a second marriage for both of them, more of a cake and punch type reception. Churches tend to have more restrictions than other places, but that's not a problem for some people.