This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by clairon13 on 04/01/2005.
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posted by clairon13
i have always dreamt of having a lovely, intimate garden wedding. at first i considered the gorgeous backyard of a very dear friend of mine, but it looks like the guest list is outgrowing her yard. all that being said, if i can procure a spot at the local botanical gardens or just use another friend's garden, but if i want dancing, a meal, and a *PARTY*, where can/should i have the reception? it seems like i would be going up in formality if i chose a nice restaurant or hotel to have the reception, and i am typically known for being un-hoity-toity!! i want this to be a casual, fun time for everyone, but (esp if i borrow my friend's garden) i dont want to tear up anyone's yard not have an akward change of tone from one site to the next. any suggestions?? thx!
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posted by bebe0315
Are there any resort types of property in your area? Resorts or conference centers by a lake or in a wooded area? Something kind of rustic, as opposed to a chain hotel. Or possibly a local Elks, Lions, Moose or American Legion Hall. My future father-in-law belongs to a few of those clubs, and they are very well kept, inside and out. Two of the clubs he belongs to both have a huge lawn and garden area, and large gazebos that would be perfect for a wedding, and inside there is a large all-purpose room with a full bar. Is there anything like that in your area? Generally if you know someone who belongs to a club they can sponsor or host and event there, and the rates are usually much cheaper than a hotel!
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posted by feb-bride
Since you are "un-hoity-toity" as you say, you might want to consider your local parks and recreation district. There is a facility in my area that has a really pretty rose garden in the park with a really pretty brick building on the park grounds that can be used for receptions and other gatherings. Chances are that there's something like that where you live.
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posted by roseprincess
hey clairon, you sound just like ME!!!
You may be able to have it both ways, if you look in the right places... try to find a place in the country, but just outside the city, that serves as a restaurant and has lovely grounds. When I got married, I found a restaurant that is a renovated barn with a gorgeous garden out back. It's right off the freeway, so it was convenient for everyone coming to the wedding. We got married with the garden as our backdrop and the reception was in an area set up outside with tables, very informal. It made decorating much simpler because it was all in one place. And since the place was a restaurant, we didn't have to hire a caterer or rent tables and chairs. Botanical Gardens and such are great too, just make sure to think about special permits and fees, who has to decorate and tear down (in a public space you can only do that during the time your permit allows so you need to factor setup/teardown time into the total), noise variances for ceremony and/or dancing music... you get the idea.
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posted by wynelle
Our Botanical Garden has a separate building with a resturant, atrium, gift shop, etc. The two-story atrium is huge and available for parties, wedding receptions, etc. Check with yours. You can have the reception as upscale or as informal as you wish.
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posted by syringa
In my area it is common to have the wedding at the botanical gardens then go to another location for the reception. It makes sense on hot summer days, as well as the fact that if we do the reception at the botanical gardens, there is no kitchen and no glass allowed, so it becomes hors d'oeuvres on paper plates.
Also check with golf clubs in your area. Many of them allow an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception. In my area we also have a hotel that has a rose garden with gazebo behind the hotel overlooking the river. Then, guests go inside for the recepiton.
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posted by peggysue
It is entirely possible to have a reception in a hall or restaurant and avoid the "hoity-toity". Decorations can set the tone. Music also will help this. If you want informal, go for a buffet rather than a sit down dinner. Outdoor weddings are great, but weather is also a problem. Are you renting a tent if you keep it outdoors? Tent rental companies do have dance floors that tthey can put under the tent. At least you won't rip up the lawn.
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posted by clairon13
unfortunately, the one beautiful park in our area won't let you "rent" space--anyone can interrupt your ceremony, etc. (i realize most people will not encroach, but one might get those few extra gazers...). also, while it is a public park, and therefore free, there is an astronomical cost to renting THEIR chairs/tents, etc. it seems expense is the number one problem, b/cs the local golf or raquet clubs are so far out of my budget (not to mention a little too upscale by reputation alone for me to feel i was not putting on airs!! hehe) that they are not practical, and the botanical garden we have here is lovely, but i did factor in the catering/rental/time costs. the nice thing about the garden is that you don't have to do too much to decorate b/cs flowers are just the perfect wedding accent and they will be everywhere! since i'm only beginning my research on this, if i chose to, say, have a bot. garden wedding, and off-site reception at a favorite restaurant, no one thinks that would be akward? i know atmosphere and just my FH and i will set the tone (and everyone knows we are pretty down to earth/organic).... we are having a late afternoon ceremony, btw, so an indoor reception would probably be a good idea if dancing will last all night long! any other suggestions would be great!!
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posted by feb-bride
Why would it be awkward? I see nothing wrong with what you are planning.
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posted by clairon13
i guess i thought it would be awkward b/cs the last wedding i went to, the ceremony was very formal and liturgical in a very large, ornate church, and the reception was at a downtown art gallery--very urban and industrial. while i absolutely loved the venue for their reception, it just seemed out of keeping with the wedding. maybe i'm over-analyzing this..it's a vice of mine!
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posted by roseprincess
it wouldn't be awkward to have the reception at a favorite restaurant... you've said you go for simple so I'm sure any restaurant you'd pick would be true to your character. And the decorations too will set the tone. ie: I decided to have baskets full of seasonal & local fruit as my centerpieces, instead of flowers, and only a few of the canopies over our tables had tulle swags (half of them spray-painted in my wedding color, half in traditional white). I got the idea for the fruit centerpieces from a bridal magazine, so don't discount the possibility of finding something in those publications that will fit your budget or at the very least spark your own creativity. Seeing pictures of stuff like that can really help...
I really hope your wedding will come together the way you want it. Having a garden wedding can be a bit challenging but if you have the right ideas and help, it can be everything you ever wanted.
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posted by clairon13
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Having a garden wedding can be a bit challenging but if you have the right ideas and help, it can be everything you ever wanted.
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will you expound on why a garden wedding is challenging?? (mind you, i'm still new to this, but i assumed it would be low-maintence only b/cs there is very little needed in the way of decorating at least as far as flower costs go, right? other than possibly using a tent, or at least a canopy, and renting chairs, que mas??)
thx
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posted by octoberblonde
One suggestion is a Bed and Breakfast. Most inn keepers will allow you to rent out the entire house and yard for the day, plus most in my area have beautiful lawns and landscaping. Guests can mingle through out the house, you can dance in a larger room(with the furniture moved out), or rent a dance floor to put on the lawn,which is not very damaging.
garden wedding, fancy reception??
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