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Beginner October 2019

Venue Advice: Is it too small?

Christina , on April 9, 2018 at 3:06 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 9

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Ok so my FH and I have looked at a ton of venues already and sadly a lot of them are out of budget (due to the venue telling us during the tour they require us to use their vender for something raising the cost). We have a small budget and my family is giving us a small amount for the wedding. We looked at this one venue a couple weeks ago and I honestly can't stop thinking about it. I love it, its affordable, its very outdoorsy (what I want), there are goats, gardens, a lake with a huge gazebo for the ceremony, a barn with an upstairs loft and its fairly new to weddings so they are very flexible on rules (our dog is 100% allowed too!). My FH and I love the laid backness of it and the look of it all BUT the upstairs loft... that is where we want the reception (its covered and airconditioned/heated) its listed as holding up to 75 people (we have just at 100 if everyone comes) the event coordinator for the venue said we can probably fit 100 people if we wanted but I don't know if that means there will be no room for a dance floor... Honestly, I hate dancing but I don't want my guests to get bored after dinner. If its a nice day out then I have no worries because we can all go outside and have yard games, dance, fire pit whatever but if its raining we may be screwed... So here's the other thing pretty much all my family members are out of state (except my immediate family) and all my cousins have a ton of kids but we will not be inviting kids to the wedding so this makes me think my cousins might not come, which I'll be sad about but also happy that there are less people. So am I crazy to want this venue? I know I shouldn't bank on a certain number of guests to not show up but I'm running out of options for our budget I also don't want to rent a tent because that is more money and I actually love the loft and want to have the reception there. We also thought about eliminating plus ones except for people who are in relationships. My other thought was I know we could definitely fit enough tables/chairs in the loft if there is no dance floor so is it weird for after dinner to remove some of the tables for dancing? or will people hate that? I'm just not sure what to do, I would love some friendly advice. Thank you!

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9 Comments

Latest activity by Cheryl&rock, on April 23, 2018 at 1:30 PM

Expert September 2018
Heather · on April 9, 2018 at 3:10 PM
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Im not smart on this thing but im picturing you can see downstairs from the loft?

Tables for reception on the loft dancing dowm below??
Will that work?
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Beginner October 2019
Christina · on April 9, 2018 at 3:14 PM
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I wish! Unfortunately you cannot see downstairs from the loft. The downstairs would be where we could do the buffets, bar and extra hangout space if people need to get away.
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Super August 2018
augbride · on April 9, 2018 at 3:18 PM
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I booked a venue based on 55 people but the guest list has grown to 80. The venue says it can hold 90 for a seat dinner so I'm not sure if that leaves room for dancing or not. Unlike you, I'm already locked in so I will make it work! Planning on moving away tables if necessary. I say if you love the venue and you think you can make it work then go for it!! If you can cut the guest list at all I would do that too. You said eliminate plus ones for people not in relationships- I would definitely do this.
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Master September 2018
FutureMrs.L · on April 9, 2018 at 3:20 PM
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AS a guest i'd find this set up odd. Even during the reception there needs to be chairs for guests to sit. However, if the venue states only 75 can fit, DON'T go above that.Don't bank on guests declining. There's a reason for max capacity for buildings, and its for safety. If the venue coordinator is ok with going above max capacity limits, i'd personally keep looking.

This is why it's stressed to choose your venue on your guest count... Don't over invite, don't keep adding people to the guest list. Our room hold 50 people. I'm at 42... I won't invite more in hopes of decline. Not worth it to me.
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Expert September 2018
Heather · on April 9, 2018 at 3:21 PM
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Awww ok
I pictured an open space up above
Sorry
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Master July 2017
Going to the chapel · on April 9, 2018 at 3:38 PM
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Looks like you can either invite no more than 75 (including you, FH and all wedding party members) or find another venue. As a guest who has been crammed into a space really too small for everyone, it was miserable. Another consideration is accessibility. Will all your guests be able to do the stairs or is there an elevator for those with mobility issues?
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Super August 2019
Jennifer · on April 9, 2018 at 4:19 PM
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The only thing that I would worry about is having your guests go downstairs to get food and then back up to find their table and eat. Would that be right? If so I would keep looking it sounds like you need a bigger venue or you need to cut your guest list to make it work
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Champion June 2018
muriel · on April 9, 2018 at 4:22 PM
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It's not unusual to remove some tables to create a dance floor after dinner. The guests still have chairs. You add an extra chair or two to some of the remaining tables. Guests don't need as much elbow room after they are finished eating.
Having said that your venue should have a capacity set by the fire department. Do not go over that. If you want this venue, invite 75 people (or the number approved by the fire department), no more. If the event coordinator says they can fit 100, then I would want to see a diagram of how she intends to do that and confirm whether there is room for a dance floor or not.
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VIP June 2019
Cheryl&rock · on April 23, 2018 at 1:30 PM
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Christina, first congratulations!!

Removing plus ones is a great idea, as well as possibly moving table seating after the meal.

You may consider having the games, firepit, etc. that you mentioned as well for those who don't want to dance

It sounds like you really love this venue.
I would suggest you go with it! After all it's your day!! ❤️ ❤️
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