Reception hall too small...

Oh yes, the grass will be green, they had just finished construction that is why there is hay.

Any comments?

Are you planning on having people eating and dancing at the same time. Could you put tables where the dance floor would be and them move them after dinner?

Have you gotten your RSVP's back and know how many people will be coming?

I would not think that having that many outside would be an issue, but you know your guests best.

Will there be shade for those outside?

Could you have the food and everyone sit outside while they eat and then put a few tables inside so people can sit inside after you eat and then have the dance floor and cake inside? That way everyone is together.

If you are having people eat outside I would suggest renting a tent... But I think it will look great and won't be a problem!

We are planning on eating first and then dancing, but the numbers are still with the dance floor, maybe add another 8 or 16 inside.

We have gotten 236 back so far that are coming- we have 50 more to get back.

We will have tents outside. I think they will be okay with it, especially since its by the lake. We are going to line the lake with lights and put citronella out

Alyssa- I like that idea, but I think don't think everyone would fit out side either.

I would suggest renting a tent for the overflow! Good luck

Would it be possible to have the dance floor outside? I think a dance floor outside will be nice because you get HOT when you dance (especially in a wedding gown/bm dress!), and the cooler outdoor air might be nice.

I would suggest the dance floor to be outside or wait to have the dance floor until people are done eating and then make space. If you put an overflow of tables outside, are people going to feel left out because they can't see you guys or maybe hear whats going on inside?

Have you received all of your rsvps already?

Rent a big white tent and have guests outside. It's not a crisis. A friend of mine owns a barn and hosts receptions. They have brides that choose to hold their receptions this way. Couple and close friends and family inside, everyone else outside.

OMGoodness, now since you are considering a combination indoor/outdoor reception; how are you going to pick who's in or who's out? I thnik it would be less complicated if everyone were seated outside for the reception. Have the food, music & dance floor indoors, your DJ can place a couple of speakers outside. Good Luck

You said the venue holds 200. You already have 236 coming and 50 more invites out, which means you were over capacity either way. What were you going to do with 86 people that was over your 200 to begin with?

I may be playing devil's advocate here but if you knew your reception venue only held 200 people then why did you invite close to 300 people? If you couldn't limit your guest count then I think it was your duty as hosts to find a venue that could hold the capacity of guests that you planned to invite.

As for solving your problem, I think that you should have everyone sit outside to eat and then set up tables inside for after dinner. I would feel neglected/disrespected if I were invited to a wedding where I had to sit outside to eat while the couple & family/close friends were inside celebrating and I wouldn't be able to know what was going on/be with everyone together for the reception. Quite frankly I'd also feel like I was only invited so I would bring a gift/cash for the couple.

I like Paris' idea of having a tent, then you aren't quite as concerned about rain. I think it's a beautiful place. We attended a reception that had a venue much like this one and everyone loved it. It was a nice day and the doors were wide open. Everyone enjoyed having access to outdoors and no one felt like they weren't part of the party. Hope it works out well for you!

I agree with some of the other ladies that if you can have the dance floor outside so everyone fits, or move tables after dinner to make room for the dance floor, that would be ideal. I went to a wedding a few years ago where they had the indoor/outdoor setup and it was kind of a bummer because we missed the toasts, first dance, etc. (I might also just be biased because this was in July and it was sweltering, so I was jealous of the people who got the AC.)

It's not the end of the world if not, but I think it's nice to have everyone in the same place!

I am having the same issue with my reception hall! How did this turn out?

I am having the same issue with my reception hall! How did this turn out?