Non traditional reception

View quoted message What are lane games?

We booked a whole campground with cabins for our Sept. wedding. The guest we're all happy. Some of the guest are bringing there campers. The ceremony will be on the water dock. Reception on the grounds with music, outside games, card games, board games, bubbles. We also rented 12 kayaks for the guest. Dinner will be a bbq family style. We will finish the evening with a bond fire, glow sticks and fireworks. And ALL for under $3000. I did not hire no one. My fiancé and I with parents and my adult children are helping. Along with some friends. Just ask I am sure they will be happy to help. Just remember that at the end of the day it is all about you two. So make a day that you will remember and be proud of.

I am fortunate that my dj and hi wife include day of coordinating.
But if not for that. I was going to ask a friend. I did it for her wedding. Find that OCD friend who will take charge!

Hello, like you we are wanting to steer clear of pricey, stuffy, regular venues. We're considering using a friend's barn and back yard in the country, or a cabane a sucre venue. We want cozy, rustic, and inviting. Try something different that works for your personalities and budget, personally, I am leaning to cabane a sucre. I love the idea of maple taffy on the snow, there's some places that have petting zoo's for the kids, and beautiful chapels on site. Dig around, research, the perfect thing will present itself. Best of luck!

The costs can get pretty crazy! We didn't hire a day-of coordinator because we didn't need one and the cost is insane!

I think you should have a later ceremony if you are going to do a wine and cheese reception. Make sure people understand from the invitation that this is the intention and to not expect a whole meal. I think it can be a fun low-key way to celebrate!

That makes sense then.

View quoted message I do like the idea of a food truck, but we are looking at keeping it really low key. I’m thinking some charcuterie platters and dessert platters. All in all it will be a fairly short affair (4hrs) I really want our family and friends to be with us for our vows and to celebrate a bit afterwards while keeping it simple.

Day of coordinator isn't needed as they are expensive as is. Cheese and wine Reception is a great way to enjoy the evening and to save the extra costs. Drinking wine may get some guests hungry though for some food.

Is the thought of a food truck possible so they can pay foe their own meals? Your gueats may like that idea.

View quoted message I wish my venue could help set up! Our location is within a city park so we are on our own..

View quoted message Our location is beautiful on its own, so luckily I don’t have to decorate other than perhaps an archway and flowers. I’m mostly worried about setting it up with chairs and a few tables and getting the platters and drinks out as I’ll want to enjoy my day getting ready. Not sure if asking family or friends to do it would be an imposition. I like your idea of a later ceremony. Thank you!!

I’m not hiring a day-of coordinator. My wedding is fairly casual I think, not a lot of decor either, so we decided it wasn’t worth it.

As for the wine and cheese, I think that’s a great idea! I think for non-dinner receptions, it’s better to have a later ceremony, like 7pm followed by the wine and cheese, that way it’s not over the supper hour. I also suggest indicating on the invitation that it will be a wine and cheese reception.

I never did a day-of coordinator, but the venue did help with organizing some things the day of, so I would say it really depends on how much you have to set up, the time you need it done for and if there's anyone to help you.

I love the idea of a wine and cheese. If there's a hall nearby you could rent that and have some platters available with some choices of wine (and maybe beer for those who don't drink wine).

I agree the costs are crazy, we are doing pretty good budget wise so far.
As for the wine and cheese, that's what we are doing! After the ceremony we will be going to do our formal photos so for the time between that and the reception we are having wine, cheese and meats as well as lawn games.
I personally think it's worth hiring a day of coordinator, our venue coordinator will be doing it for us. I see it as something that will allow me to feel stress free and be able to enjoy the time without constantly wondering if things are being set up etc.. we considered asking a friend or family member but decided that's unfair for them so we just hired the venue instead.