Ceremony/Reception combo

[INSANEbride2B]

Okay so my finace is sold on the idea of having the ceremony in the reception site. You know, like the guests would be seated where they will eat but then we "create" an aisle on the dancefloor and go get married. The staff serves hors d'vors (sp) while other staff cleans the rose ailse and moves the gazebo thingy. Then the reception starts.

Maybe I am slanted and made it sound mean...but is this a gross idea or what? I cannot figure out any kind way to make this a stellar idea. Please help. I am not closed to the idea of having the cermony at a different locale. i just love the location for the reception. the closest ceremony site I like is 2o minutes away...is that too far? your comments PUH-LEEZE!


http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j212/KRichardson82/Dresses/th_wedding028.jpg (http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j212/KRichardson82/Dresses/wedding028.jpg)

[lizardbnorton773]

I don't think that's too far away. Mine will probably be that far away.

If he won't give into having it seperate though: After the ceremony you could have the cake table inside the gazebo. Have white Christmas lights and tulle inside and it would look really pretty. You could make the cake a focal point for the ceremony.

[sillybride]

Is that how the site said it had to be done? I have never heard of that before. Most places that offer the ceremony and reception in the same place have a seperate area for the ceremony. While the ceremony is going on, they are setting up for the reception. Check with your site and see if there is another place that they offer to hold the ceremony. I bet they do.

[kkf_23acad]

I am with sillybride on this one. Usually there is a seperate area for the ceremony. And if you decide to have your ceremony at a different location I don't think 20 mins. is a long drive.

[KatylovesNick]

Our hotel has an outdoor gazebo and garden where we are getting married. If they have a reception site they HAVE to have a seperate place for the wedding ceremony. I would ask. No twenty minutes is not far at all. We had to drive an HOUR to get to my Uncles reception. That was a whole other story, cramped, yes I mean cramped into a limo because his new wifey wanted to bring the whole dang family in the limo....So I got car sick and oh geez....Twenty minutes is not bad at ALLL! BUt I would ask the hotel about alternatives. But either way, I am sure you can make it gorgeous!

[steelcutter2003eeda]

A friend of mine had her wedding just as your describing, it actually turned out very nice, the dance floor area was were the ceremony was and the tables were all set up around the dance floor. I don't even think anyone noticed the staff moving the arch, I know I didn't..

I also agree that 20 mins is not to far to go.

[KatylovesNick]

If that is what they usually do, they are usually very good and discreet about everything. I bet it would be gorgeous

[INSANEbride2B]

Thanks guys ( or gals!). No there is not a seperate place to have a ceremony. My FH just loves simplicity and thinks why go anywhere if we can do it here...

[KatylovesNick]

Which sometimes can be true.. and I am sure they can make it nice. But if you are really set on having it somewhere else, I would really try and make that happen as well.

[calico4sr]

i like the idea of the cake in the gazebo. very neat idea. maybe you could leave it as part of the decor and just have the tables and dance floor around it.

[sillybride]

Denise has a great idea. Maybe the cake could be placed under there after the ceremony. Ask your site if you could see another wedding being held there, so that you can see how it is managed. If not, ask them for specifics on how they handle it.

That was one stipulation that I had to conform to with my FH. He only agreed to a wedding if the ceremony and reception were held in the same place. The site that we orginally chose had an area outside and the banquet hall on the second floor.

[steelcutter2003eeda]

Another thing you can do to some what seperate it, is leave after the ceremony, get some pics taken and then return and be anounced.

[KatylovesNick]

I like Rebeccas idea, so you can still have the leaving affect, possibly go to a nice spot outside or a garden or something, take pictures and then return to have the DJ announce you! Good idea Rebecca.. Maybe I will do that.. hmmm.. haha