Community Center

There is a community center near me that is super popular for weddings. It really depends on the place.

I'm having mine in a recreational building. I'm sure it you decorate it nice it will come out nice.

I have been to several community hall weddings, and will also be having one. I chose my reception hall because it is next to the church where I will be getting married at. The hall I have booked, and the others I have seen can accommodate large groups. Mine can host up to 260 people. Thos took pressure off me as far as having to restrict the first due to the venue. I'm having 130 people. These halls have kitchens, so it makes it easier for outside caterers, and the chairs and tables are included. My venue also has security that will check the guest list before people can enter. I don't foresee any problems with non invited persons showing up, but I have read on here how other people are concerned by this. Another thing which was a consideration for me is the cost. I saw venues 2 or 3 times more expensive as our venue. Even with my additional expenses like the food etc, it is still cheaper than the all inclusive venues.

My friend got married in a community center last year. It was beautiful and it turned out great. The only issue they really had was they didn't like that they had to pick from certain vendors that were approved by the center. They had a idea of which vendors to use and Most of them weren't on the center's list. But they still had a great time and made due with what they had to work with.

A few of my friends got married in a Knights of Columbus Hall. You could tell it was not meant for weddings, but they made it work. They saved so much on the venue that they were able to decorate the way they wanted to, I think the best one I saw though had paper pomp-pomps hanging up, a few flower decorations, but mostly handmade centerpieces (I am drawing a blank at what exactly they were now, but it remember it looked good). Any wedding can look good, however, I think guests will take away how the wedding felt more than how it looked (for example, the wedding I described was warm and inviting and so cute like the bride, I can't remember decor specifics but I remember how everyone felt so joyful that day). I hope that helps!

Some other social halls to look at could include: Jr. League, City Community Centers, Lion's Clubs, Kiwianis, etc. Look into nonprofits in your area and see if they have any gyms, or large meeting spaces they rent

I'm sorry I can't find a more specific article, but check out Meg Keenes site: APracticleWedding.com for more on wedding at social halls

The community center wedding I went to had a beautiful garden where the ceremony was held. The reception was inside and it went well. The couple really just wanted a small and short ceremony. We ended up going somewhere after for drinks.

We almost booked a community center by us but since we weren't getting married in a church the community center didn't have anywhere to have the ceremony as well. I think community centers are a fine place for weddings I don't see why anything wouldn't go well I would just make sure there's a kitchen space for the caterers.

We would use it for the reception only. It does have a kitchen which we would rent out. The thing I am worried about is decorating. They won’t allow us to decorate the night before unless we pay an overnight fee plus every hour before, and during event.

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How much time do you think you need for decorating? are you helping with decorating or do you have other people helping? I'm keeping my decorations simple and two of my good friends are going to set everything up, they have two hours before the ceremony.

View Quoted Comment 3 of my cousins said they would help and i was thinking of getting 2 hours for setup. Unfortunately the chairs are not the best and wanted to get chair covers. I’ve been searching and buying chair covers is soo much cheaper than renting them. I am having 250 guests. Do you guys think that would be too much work, having them set all that up?

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They just slip over the chair right? I think that could definitely be done, maybe test it out on the chairs first to make sure they will go on quickly and don't have to fuss with it too much. I was originally thinking of doing chair covers at our venue but said screw it who's going to be paying attention to the chairs. But if it the chairs will bug you I don't think it should be too much work.