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Beginner June 2017

Marriage Celebration at Home (Post-Elopement)

Dawn, on January 17, 2017 at 1:15 PM Posted in Planning 0 6

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We are eloping in early June and planning a Marriage Celebration/Home Blessing/Open House sort of gathering a few weeks after at our house. We love this idea and I am very comfortable with event planning, but I'm wavering on doing something at the house versus a venue. It's a large home with a floor plan that will allow people to flow on two levels and on the patio, but it will not feel like a traditional wedding reception (which I'm okay with). However, we are framing it as an open house starting around 2 pm, so people will likely come at various times. We will have a toast and a blessing at a specific time, but otherwise thinking it will be free flowing. It will be professionally catered with a bartender and wait staff. I've hosted large parties at my house before, but am I missing anything that I should be concerned about by doing this event at home? Thanks in advance for suggestions/advice!

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6 Comments

Latest activity by Dawn, on January 17, 2017 at 2:13 PM

VIP June 2018
herecometheclarks · on January 17, 2017 at 1:16 PM
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How many people? What is the ratio of guests to bathrooms?
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Beginner June 2017
Dawn · on January 17, 2017 at 1:26 PM
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Great question. I'm thinking around 70-80 people, but I haven't finalized a list yet. 3.5 bathrooms, 1.5 of which are in the main areas. The patio leads easily to both of those bathrooms.
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Master September 2015
NowASeptMrs · on January 17, 2017 at 1:27 PM
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Do you have enough bathrooms?
Are you ok with people keeping their shoes on?
Sounds like you'll have wait staff but is there anything that would require you stepping away and running around?
Does your state require a liquor license for mass serving in a private venue?
I would keep the open house to a set time like 2-5pm so people aren't dropping by at all hours! If you choose to go later with those that are there at 5, that's fine.
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VIP May 2017
Polly · on January 17, 2017 at 1:30 PM
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That sounds lovely. Who cares if it isn't as traditional as long as you host people nicely. Also, I work at a theater that is 80 seats with 3 bathrooms if that helps with the decision!
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Beginner June 2017
Dawn · on January 17, 2017 at 1:49 PM
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Thanks for the great feedback!
@NowASeptMrs I'm fine with shoes, and I'll be okay as long as I have staff. I'll check on the liquor license--great point. I agree with the set time, but my FH wants it to go longer. Right now we are looking at 2p-9p, but I'm going to try to reduce that time.
@POLLY thanks for letting me know about the theater bathroom ratio.

My chef/caterer who is very familiar with my home just asked me about parking--yikes! I live on a suburban cul-de-sac. I need to give that some thought....
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Beginner June 2017
Dawn · on January 17, 2017 at 2:13 PM
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JJ, that's what I was just thinking about. There is a large church 3 minutes away, so I will look into that. Thanks!
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