In home wedding? What do you think? Winter in pa

I'm sure you could find a VFW or community hall for pretty cheap. They dont generally have restrictions on catering.

Can your parents' home hold 200-300 people inside? If not, I don't think an outdoor wedding, especially without a tent and with port-a-potties, in December, in PA, sounds like a very good idea. We lived in NJ for seven years, December just isn't outside party weather. I agree with PP that you should look for a lower-cost indoor venue or seriously cut your guest list so everyone can comfortably fit inside the house. VFWs, Elks Lodges, community centers might work.

My biggest question is can the home comfortably fit 200-300 people, even without furniture? That must be one large house. And I'm guessing porta potties would be outside? I just don't see myself leaving a warm house to use a porta potty outside (also because porta potties gross me out and I use it only when absolutely necessary) and realistically people would probably have to stand in line in the cold to use it so I probably wouldn't stay very long. But that may just be me.

Yeah, even in some of the bigger houses I've been in unless your parents literally have a very large mansion I don't see this working very well for 200-300 people.

I agree with PP. Unless the house is super big that many people will be uncomfortable. What about a local firehouse or community center? I would just want to make sure that my guests were not crammed in to a small space with no seating or room to move.

I’m sorry but I’m not sure about this..
Where would people sit? Will they have to stand the entire time?
Also, I don’t use port a potties in the best of weather & trying to squat over a tin can in the freezing cold - is definitely not happening.
Also, as others have mentioned can your parents house hold 200 - 300 ppl comfortably?
Ultimately you know ur crowd best.

I agree with the posters concerns. Two hundred to three people in one house doesn't sound like it would really work. They would have to have a huge house to accommodate that many people. Also, where do you plan on having the ceremony? I don't think having it outside in the winter in PA is a good idea. I am from PA and the weather there is so unpredictable. Even if it isn't snowing or icy out, it will be cold so to me an outdoor option would be a no go. You don't want to be responsible for people getting sick from the cold temperatures you would he exposing them to for your wedding. I would also be concerned about traveling to this wedding depending on where your family lives. If it is snowing or icy out that's going to make it difficult for your guests to attend. Parking would be another concern because I highly doubt there is enough parking at your parents house for that many people. Also, depending on the time of day your guests are going to be expecting a meal not just snacks. I understand you don't want to spend a bunch of money, but you have to consider your guests. For that many people having a wedding is going to be expensive.

Personally, I think this idea could work. If there was a smaller guest list, maybe around 100-ish, that could be doable. (Of course, I don't know the exact house/backyard, layout, etc) And 100 just may not be doable if your guest list is already at 200-300, that may be cutting too many people out. But it may be a viable option. Of course, if this house is a gigantic, this may work out just fine. I'm just thinking of the nice houses here in FL still wouldn't even comfortably fit 100 people, so I'm nervous for you - weather aside.

I would rent the tent otherwise you might end up with 300 people inside the house if it gets too cold. Tent and heaters are a must in my opinion. If you consider cost of venue and rentals and catering vs cost of tent I think you still end up winning at the house. The options you mention for food is ok for a regular party because is less hours but you might want to consider a wedding is a much longer event. Because of ceremony time, cocktail hour and then reception which runs at least 5 hours. Some bite food might not be enough. You don’t need to have a full sit down dinner but I think high tops and different lounge spots for people to sit and center tables to put your drinks should be fine. An idea is too have different stations of food but keep in mind 300 people moving around getting food and making lines is a lot! Which is why sit down makes more sense as is less chaotic.

I agree with the majority of the PPs. I don't think this would work. It has the risk of being too crowded and not having having enough amenities for guests. Especially with no tents or extra places for seating, people may not want to stick around for long. It might be a large house for regular parties, but your wedding is a little more special that that! I agree that a VFW or community hall would be better suited for this, even a wedding barn with heating! Most of those types of venues don't restrict catering. Good luck!

Adding to what others have suggested about space and having to go outside to use the porta potties, where will your guests park. Even if people carpool and put 4-6 people in each car(which is probably unlikely), you’re still talking about 50+ cars. If your parents live in a residential area, I don’t think there’s a way to make that work without annoying the neighbors.

Ok thanks for the suggestions guys! I will definitely consider them going forward are any of you in Pennsylvania? If so do you have any suggestions?

View Quoted Comment I live in Maryland now, but I am from Pennsylvania. It is hard to give you suggestions without knowing where exactly you want to get married as it is a big state. I got married in July in Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I have lived in different parts of Pennsylvania so I might be able to suggest some places if you gave me a better idea of where in Pennsylvania.