As you plan your wedding, finding the best wedding reception venues is a huge part of your to-do list. Staying in budget while also giving your guests an amazing experience can be tough, but we have some great suggestions that can make your upcoming wedding and reception celebration amazing and budget friendly.
The Best Wedding Reception Venues For Your Budget
Locating wedding reception venues that are ideal for your guest list is a huge part of planning your wedding. Whether you want something small and intimate for a full meal, or you want something lively for a time of dancing with appetizers and drinks, this list offers you some amazing ideas and tips. Staying within a strict budget isn’t impossible when you think outside the box for your upcoming wedding reception.
Things to ask when seeking out wedding reception venues. When you begin looking at the ideas below or other locations, there is a multitude of things that come to mind. We have broken down a few of the more important things you will want to consider asking and verifying before booking a location. Not all of these apply to every situation, but the list is comprehensive and useful for most situations.
Is outside catering allowed?
Do they have a sound system in place?
Is there a dance floor, or can the space be adjusted for dancing?
Are their complete kitchen facilities available?
Who is responsible for setting up the tables, chairs, and layout?
How early can the area be set up with decor? Day of the wedding? The day before?
Is cleanup included, or will the wedding party need to hire an outside cleaning service?
Are alcoholic beverages allowed to be served on premises?
What is the capacity of the venue?
Will staff be on hand during the reception to assist with any issues that arise?
What is the deposit and when is the final payment due for the rental?
Are there any local noise ordinances to consider?
This list may not include everything you should consider for a wedding reception venue, but it is a great beginning that will help you to remember those little things that often don’t come up until the day of the event.
Use your church. This is by far one of the most common wedding reception venues that fit within a budget. Depending on the size of your church, there are often places you can hold a reception for a low cost or not cost at all. This is very convenient if you are also getting married at your church. The only drawbacks to hosting your reception at your church are that not all are equipped for dancing, and some religious groups don’t believe in drinking alcohol. If those aren’t factors that bother you, then your church may be the best bet on this list.
Before booking your church for use, make sure you ask plenty of questions about what is and is not allowable in the venue. While most wedding reception venues are fairly open and easy to utilize, a church may have more rules or even requirements from you as the parishioner before you may use their facility. As it is a place of worship, it is important to consider being mindful of things like services that will be happening the same day or close to your reception. This means allowing plenty of time for cleanup and getting the rooms set back up for normal events. As most churches don’t have a large event staff, this may be something you will want or need to help manage.
Use a local community center. Many areas have a local community center that is also available for event rentals. While they may not have the same features that other venues do, the space available is often a plus factor. Some of these will be areas that also have other functions happening on the same day, so make sure you are clear about location, needs, and how much space you really have to have. You will also want to ask about any hidden fees or requirements in the community to use the event. Depending on the venue and the community bylaws, you may be prohibited from using certain facilities, bringing in alcohol, or have to watch for noise ordinances at certain times of the day.
Use your own home or backyard. This takes more time and dedication, but it can definitely be cost-effective. Creating a fun reception in or outside of your own home is possible for smaller wedding parties. If you have a larger home or yard, or a friend who is willing to let you use their home, you may be able to have a larger guest list.
Using your own home or backyard requires you a willingness to open your private space to large crowds of people. It will also mean you will likely need to rent tables, chairs, and other supplies to support caterers and a DJ for the event. Depending on the size of your reception, this could be a cost-effective choice, or could be more expensive.
Rent a campground or park. This may seem like an odd choice, but for a casual party, it is a great idea. Many campgrounds or parks have a covered area with tables that are ideal for serving up cake, drinks, and snacks. This would be a venue that is better for a casual party versus a reception with tons of music and dancing. It is a choice that would likely be made by more outdoorsy couples that enjoy a casual and relaxed event with their friends and family. This would definitely not be a great place for caterers to work as the needs for their food service would likely cost much more than it would to use a more traditional venue.
Wedding reception venues can range from the unique to the classic, and this list gives you a few fun ideas that can save tons of money in your wedding budget. The up front questions to ask before booking are just as important as the venue itself. Make sure you know exactly what is allowable for a wonderful dream wedding and reception experience.
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