Wedding reception options that aren't so formal.

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Thanks so much, I love those ideas!!

Hey Maria! The best weddings I've been to have all been relaxed receptions. My one friend rented the Southshore Centre in Barrie and had a giant BBQ celebration with all you can eat ribs. Another friend rented the Gilford Community Hall near Innisfil and had a pizza truck cater the wedding with an indoor/outdoor relaxed vibe (the rental of that hall is insanely cheap for the entire weekend). We decided on Market Brewing Company in Newmarket because they were also super relaxed. We have a live band booked, and if no dancing is allowed, then the live band will be our sit down pub-type of entertainment for the reception. We also really liked the Tiffin Centre in Barrie (it's a conservation centre). Choose whatever is important to you, and you'll get tons of ideas from here.

View quoted message Oh, I didn’t think of that, thanks for the info!

View quoted message You can look them up on airbnb to see if they allow it but do keep in mind that it's a lot of work in your part. It'd be DIY furniture, table set up, cleaning, bringing in portable washrooms, etc.

View quoted message Thank you! I like the idea of games, I think they’ll be good to get people mingling.

View quoted message Thanks so much! We were thinking of a cottage wedding but we don’t own a cottage and we aren’t sure if people are willing to let us use a cottage for a wedding reception. I do love that idea though, I think it would be gorgeous!

Oh I forgot to mention, cottage weddings would be great as well.

Hey Maria, there's a few ways to decrease the formality of a wedding reception. This includes:
-hosting it during the day vs evening/night
-a cocktail reception a you suggested, where people mingle and dance while eating passed appetizers (just a warning, depending on our situation with covid, this may not be allowed)-host it outdoors, and make the dress code more relaxed-serve food that's more casual, like barbecue or street style food
For venues, try wineries with outside spaces or golf courses. If you want to embrace a more DIY style, farms, beaches and parks are also options (just watch out for intense heat and bugs!)

If you’re looking at June, you could have an outside cocktail reception with games or activities available to elevate it without it feeling too posh. Plus if it’s in a nice green space, kids will be entertained (if any are invited) and you can have spots to sit or to explore a bit.