Wedding Receptions 101

Wedding receptions usually take place after the wedding ceremony. This gives guests the opportunity to welcome the newly wedded couple, as a married couple, and it gives everyone a chance to relax and enjoy food, refreshments, and have a good time with family and friends. These events are typically the largest expense and unfortunately, not all couples have the money to pay for an extravagant hall, especially since there’s so much money that goes into every other aspect of getting married.

The thing to remember if you’re looking to plan an inexpensive wedding reception is that the reception can be anywhere, it doesn’t have to be in a location that exclusively hosts weddings. Once you open up your options, you’ll discover that there are so many other viable and exciting reception locations available. In most cases, every city has several venues that can host your dream wedding perfectly.

One idea is to have the reception outdoors. Of course you always have to worry what the weather will bring, but having an outside reception gives you many different places you can explore. For instance, you could have your reception at a city park, and you don’t have to worry about whether there will be enough room for a large reception party. A few big tents to protect the food, drinks, cake, and of course the presents, is all that’s really needed, and if the weather cooperates, it can bring a touch of natural beauty to the ceremony.

If you want to hold it inside, there are also plenty of options, depending on the size of your reception. If you’re holding something with under 150 guests, there are plenty of lodges that have enough space to accommodate you. American Legion halls work great, as they’re usually roomy and spacious, and if someone in your immediate family was a member of the military, you can use their space for next to nothing. Not only that, but if you decide to serve alcohol at your event, they will supply a bartender at a very nominal fee.

Other types of lodges to consider are the “animal” brands, such as moose and elk clubs. Hunting lodges aren’t used year round, and neither are ski lodges – both will usually cut you a deal because they’d rather make some money during the off season than nothing at all.

Another interesting idea for your reception is to rent the space many apartment complexes have for their own receptions and special events. Some are small, holding maybe 30 to 40 people at best, but others are large enough to accommodate an event with at least 100 people. These community centers usually come with full kitchens and spacious rooms for entertainment, you’ll have a place to store, cook and serve food as well as cabinets and drawers for plates, glasses, silverware and alcohol.

Finally, why not hold the reception right in the church where you get married? Many churches have multiple rooms that they’ll rent out for many different reasons, and you might be able to get an inclusive rate by holding it in the same place. Some churches even offer their facilities free of charge.

For additional wedding tips and wedding planning information;

Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning

775 . 786 . 1730