There are many reasons to host your wedding ceremony and reception in the same room. A big one on the list is that using the same venue usually saves you a good deal of money. The same people will be working on the venue, and many functions can be handled in-house.
Hosting your ceremony and reception in the same room is a great idea.
You save people the trouble of getting in their car or killing five hours in the afternoon after your beautiful morning ceremony. You only have to decorate one room instead of multiple.
These days, your typical large wedding involves multiple venues. You’ve got rehearsal dinner restaurants, a wedding ceremony, a reception hall, and more. While moving from spot to spot makes you feel like it’s a more significant celebration, organizing all that moving and planning is a lot of work!
If you’re trying to keep things simple and on budget, here’s how you can pull off having your ceremony and reception in the same room.
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Why People Choose Two Rooms
Not all weddings are the same. Hopefully, you’ve done enough reading and planning by now to understand that your wedding is yours. There are no rules, and you’re not risking breaking any time-honored traditions by doing something different.
People care about celebrating the married couple, enjoying the day, hopefully having some good food, and seeing people they care about. As long as you tick those boxes, you’re in for a great wedding!
Now, if you’re wondering why most of the weddings you go to involve multiple venues, here’s why:
- Different Guest Lists – Sometimes, wedding ceremonies are meant to be smaller and more intimate. Some couples may not want young kids crying while reciting their vows.
- Venue Requirements – Other times, high-demand venues may require customers to book different rooms because they can charge for them.
- Party Theme – Couples might want a distinct theme or a DJ to play sets at their reception that need a lot of setups. Those speakers, wires, and lights could detract from the seriousness of the ceremony.
- Food Restrictions – If you find a spot you love where you want to get married, investigate further because they may not allow food there. If you want the location, the party is going to have to happen somewhere else.
- Switch into Party Mode – Moving to a new venue gets people pumped up. It’s a great way to help people shift into party mode and get them on the dance floor. The physical transition helps the brain make the change.
These are just a few of the reasons to use one room for both gatherings.
When One Room Is Best
Now, let’s take a look at why one room can work better than two.
- Accommodate Guests – Usually, weddings involve a lot of older folks. Your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older family friends will be in attendance. Having the wedding in the same place as the reception makes things easier for them.
- Later Ceremony Start – You can typically start your ceremony later when you have it in the same location as the reception because you don’t have to allow time to get in the car and drive somewhere else.
- Cost Savings – Booking one room is cheaper!
- More Accessibility to Plan – There are often fewer people to deal with, and logistics are easier to manage in one room.
Tips for Hosting the Ceremony and Reception in the Same Room
Suppose you’re going to use just one room; good for you! To make things go off without a hitch, here are some friendly tips you can use for planning to create a memorable wedding that your guests will enjoy.
Let People Know
First thing’s first. Let your guests know that both events will be in the same venue. That way, they aren’t confused about where to go and when. If you only list a time and a single venue, they’ll worry that they might miss something important.
Think About Layout
Usually, people using a single room either divide the space into two distinct areas or change it around after the formal ceremony, so everyone feels like they’ve got a great view. If you want people seated at their tables during the ceremony, think about holding it in the middle of the room. That way, everyone gets a glimpse of the bride and feels like they’re part of the ceremony.
You may also want to use a small, elevated stage to help everyone see, depending on how big your wedding is and how many people are in attendance.
Drinks on the Lawn
If it’s an option, consider having drinks on the lawn or some other outdoor area between the ceremony and the reception. This gives you time to hang the disco ball and change into your reception gown. It’s also a fantastic way to break up the time, so people aren’t in the same room for hours and hours.
Hire an Experienced Team
Book a caterer and wedding planner with experience working in similar venues and party styles. Your wedding is no time to take a risk on a rookie team, especially if you’re working in a single space.
The Outdoor Ceremony Is a Perfect Compromise
Are you caught deciding whether you should book one or two spaces for your wedding? Whether it’s costs or simply the schedule, it’s a hard decision to make.
A popular option for many couples is hosting the ceremony outdoors and having the reception inside. If you live somewhere with nice weather when your wedding is scheduled, then build the outdoor ceremony into your wedding plan!
The ability to host weddings at a single venue is becoming much more popular these days—couples like the ease of planning and how it lets them focus on other details of their wedding.
The thousands of dollars you save by not booking a second venue can result in a better DJ, food, or decorations. You get more money to bring your dream wedding to life. Or, you could save money and book an incredible honeymoon!
Venues Want You There
Remember, venues want you to host everything at their location. No event manager or planner wants to see you spend your money elsewhere.
If you’re struggling with making things work, ask the venue! There is a good chance they’ve dealt with a similar request in the past, so you can listen to how other couples pulled things off. Pick and choose what you like and make it happen.
If you tell your event planner or the manager at the venue that you’re thinking about hosting both your reception and your ceremony at their location, ask them if they offer any discounts or what they can do to accommodate you. You may end up getting an even better deal than you’d hoped.
Final Thoughts
Planning and hosting a wedding is always stressful. Still, a single venue is attractive now because of the savings and simplicity. Done well, your wedding will be a day to remember, and you’ll be glad you hosted in one location because you’ll be more relaxed and ready to enjoy everything.