Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Beginner November 2022

Restaurant reception

Marisa, on March 2, 2022 at 4:21 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 3 2

Saved

Flag
Hide content

Who is doing a restaurant reception? I’m so torn between doing either that or a reception at my house but my house is 45 mins away from the venue and family is coming from 2-3 hours away and the ceremony starts at 4 😫 what all all you including at the reception? Decor? Dj? We’re thinking the food alone will be around 5k for about 35 people if we do it at a restaurant. We are trying to keep it low key not a huge party (I’m not a dancer anymore) 😂 I just don’t want it to feel tacky but idk if people are going to want to drive that far or how late they plan on staying. Our wedding will be on a Saturday

Flag
Hide content

2 Comments

Latest activity by Ladyray, on March 2, 2022 at 10:20 PM

Dedicated May 2022
Gina · on March 2, 2022 at 4:42 PM
Flag

Hide content
Was totally you a few months ago. I am getting married at a restaurant that holds events. My guests will be seated at their table and I will be walking down the middle for the quick ceremony. We will be going straight into cocktails, appetizers and then dinner and dessert. I reserved the outdoor area which is large enough to have a dj and dancing but that really isn't my vibe. I just want an elegant dinner and to see friends and family some of which I haven't seen since the start of the pandemic. It is also 1-2 hours away from where most everyone lives. I will be having a violinist for ceremony and start of cocktail hour but then will move into a playlist that will be set on large rented bluetooth speakers. Couldn't stomach paying $1600 for a DJ for low key event. I will be having floral centerpieces and some minimal decor but nothing over the top. I hate having stuff for the sake of having stuff and I also dont like to store things after I am done.
Start by looking to see if any nearby restaurants offer private dining and if they have a music system that could tie to your playlist. You can also ask them if they can do a limited dinner selection so you can try to keep costs down. My cousin did that and we had a small printed menu with a handful of items to choose from. She also capped the alcohol limit with the restaurant so once we were to hit that the servers would ask the guest if they wanted to pay at the bar. We never hit that limit.
- Reply

Dedicated January 2026
Ladyray · on March 2, 2022 at 10:20 PM
Flag

Hide content
I was the officiant for a friend's wedding. They didn't have an official wedding venue because of COVID (we did this in September 2020), so we did the ceremony at one of their favorite spots at a really nice park. Afterward, we had those who attended the ceremony meet us at a nearby restaurant where the couple reserved like 5 to 7 tables. It was great!
I would highly recommend it because people can get really enthusiastic about staying longer than they need to if a reception at a house. It would be exactly what it sounds like, "a house part". There's nothing wrong with that, but if you are mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted from all the planning of it, et cetera - plus the after-party clean-up - I would say, "hard pass".
But I'm also practical and I would put the budget first. If it is within your budget to do a restaurant reception - go for it!
Best to you! You and your partner have got this! x
- Reply