Reception Venue Advice

You can rent a tent and dance floor if you want to do it outdoors. that way it seems more formal and people wont leave as early

As long as the wedding in a park isn't just a field and you guys use a tent or something to make it feel like a wedding/event then I don't think people would leave early. If it's just open in a field though then it gives the whole vibe to me of it's just a bush party or something - which is fine, but I wouldn't feel like I have to stay the whole night if it's just like any other party.

Like the others said, just look into liquour laws, noise restrictions, and other ammenities or disruptions that may happen.

Tent weddings are nice given its outdoors and everything you want for the evening with no time limit set. The one thing to keep in mind is the cost of what all is needed to get your full set up complete including alcohol and bartender required. It all adds up quickly and faster than expected.

A hall is ready and set with most of what you would have to do given the connection of vendors discounts provided to couples choosing that venue. Décor style will depend on how less or more you want to have the hall set upon your both decisions. Major factor to keep in mind is the cost of food/alcohol per person plated service or buffet serving on the lower end cost.

I've loved the few tent weddings that I've attended. Just check and make sure that there are no noise restrictions for amplified sound and time restrictions for noise in general. One wedding shut down around 11pm because they couldn't play music past that time. The bride & groom weren't aware and were a little upset.

View quoted message We’ll definitely have patio heaters, and potentially a few campfires for warmth. The bugs are a good thing to think about...
The park we're looking at is out of town so I don’t think time restrictions should be an issue, but a very good question to ask!!

I get you on the halls being overdone - I felt the same way!


I’ve never been to an outdoor wedding but my parents have - bugs and the cold at night were their biggest complaints. Not sure if it’s possible to combat the cold at night with heaters?
Got mosquitoes etc. maybe having bug spray available would solve that problem?
Another thing to consider, would the wedding be shut down by 11pm if it was in a public park? Are you ok with that?

We feel the same way with the hall idea- overdone. The Park sounds lovely. I think if you keep the entertainment and food going, no one will feel awkward or get bored and want to leave. We really wanted a farm wedding with the same idea, but they’re so trendy now that they are way out of budget!