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Just Said Yes October 2020

Tiny, Low-key Wedding Advice Needed!

Ashley, on April 25, 2019 at 4:06 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 5

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Hi Ladies! I need some advice on our reception. We are having a small wedding of only about 40-50 guests at an estate with an outdoor ceremony in early october, then going inside the estate house for the dinner in a love "ballroom" that fits our size great. We have a lot of older family members coming as guests, only a few young friends (I am 30 myself and my fiance is 41). This is not going to be a raging party. It will be super low key but we don't want it to be boring! What do we do?

Someone suggested switching to buffet instead of a plated dinner to encourage more mingling and action but for lack of a better way to get my point across will that look cheap? Since we have a small group, skimping seems weird at times. We are also trying to decide between a Friday or Sunday. My thought is a Sunday wedding (maybe even one more in the afternoon) would already put it out there that this is going to be more of a "dinner party" than a big party, party??

Help!

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5 Comments

Latest activity by Ashley, on April 26, 2019 at 1:30 PM

Champion November 2016
LB · on April 25, 2019 at 4:13 PM
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I don't think it'll look cheap but I don't think it'll encourage mingling either. I feel like people get their food and go to their seat.
If you're looking for a dinner party vibe though, I'd personally go plated or family style. It's a little more formal, which seems like the vibe you're going for.
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VIP January 2019
Maggie · on April 25, 2019 at 6:57 PM
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I agree that buffets don't inherently look cheap (they can of course look cheap if the food is subpar or skimpy) but that they don't also encourage mingling. I think it is absolutely fine to have a wedding reception dinner party and people don't need entertainment at dinner parties. Just good food and drink, conversation, nice background music, good atmosphere (location, decor, etc.).
The size you are planning is perfect for a dinner party vibe and it will also ensure you and your spouse will have time to actually talk to every guest in attendance. No games or anything else needed.
Friday vs. Sunday is personal preference and depends on your crowd (if they will be traveling, work schedules, etc.).
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Legend March 2017
Pirate & 60s Bride · on April 25, 2019 at 7:12 PM
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Plated seems like it might fit your classy wedding & venue. I’d have an appetizer table & bar for cocktail hour which will encourage mingling. A guestbook table (with a book, puzzle or poster to sign) may be nice. And a fancy coffee/tea bar and dessert bar may help after dinner.

For entertainment, what about a trio or small band who sings crooner songs? Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Buble. It adds a nice mood and guests may dance (you can have your first dance, if you wish). We had a big band and Frank Sinatra impersonator at our local reception and the dance floor was packed (50 guests total). Some guests were happy to just watch the band. No pressure for dancing but guests did!
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Legend March 2017
Pirate & 60s Bride · on April 25, 2019 at 7:14 PM
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A Sunday wedding would be great (and probably less money than a Fri or Sat). Maybe plan to end by 8 or 9 pm for anyone who needs to work the next day (maybe serve cake by 8 pm)?
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Just Said Yes October 2020
Ashley · on April 26, 2019 at 1:30 PM
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Love the crooner band idea. We actually love that music and go to a Sunday jazz brunch locally all the time. Great suggestion! Love the fancier coffee bar idea as well.

Thanks for the input on the buffet as well ladies!
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