Trying to decide on a ceremony/reception venue

knottie08b0b096b732fea8 · May 2018

My fiance and I are getting married on April 12, 2018. We had decided to go with something different and unique to us, our gym. I know that sounds crazy, but they have this aerobics room that would be perfect. Hardwood floors, grey walls, surround sound and system, and one wall is a big mirror. It's plain and pretty, very easy to decorate. Only problem is, I'm not sure as to whether we can do both the reception and ceremony.

So I'm thinking, maybe the ceremony at his church and reception at the gym. Or just having both at the church. They have a basement we can use as the reception area.

Another option is doing both at the gym and just having the chairs moved for the reception. The only other obstacle I can think of is, location for the pictures. It's located in a downtown area and there isn't a garden or something pretty nearby.

Decisions, decisions...

MobKaz · May 2018

knottie08b0b096b732fea8 said:

My fiance and I are getting married on April 12, 2018. We had decided to go with something different and unique to us, our gym. I know that sounds crazy, but they have this aerobics room that would be perfect. Hardwood floors, grey walls, surround sound and system, and one wall is a big mirror. It's plain and pretty, very easy to decorate. Only problem is, I'm not sure as to whether we can do both the reception and ceremony.

So I'm thinking, maybe the ceremony at his church and reception at the gym. Or just having both at the church. They have a basement we can use as the reception area.

Another option is doing both at the gym and just having the chairs moved for the reception. The only other obstacle I can think of is, location for the pictures. It's located in a downtown area and there isn't a garden or something pretty nearby.

Decisions, decisions...

I am guessing you mean 2019.

Have you checked with the gym to determine whether they would allow food and beverage in their facility? Unless they have a liquor license, you probably would not be able to serve alcohol. What type of food, if allowed, would you serve? Does this facility have ANY food related necessities to either refrigerate or warm food? You would probably be responsible for everything required to host a reception, from tables and chairs, to clean up. That is a LOT to coordinate.

How big is your guest list? Can this facility accommodate your guest list in terms of parking and restrooms? Are you limited in accessibility in terms of preparing it? Delicately speaking, how is the ambiance from an olfactory POV?

Obviously, the less your guests have to schlepp, the more convenient it is for them. It also makes it very easy to avoid any gap between the ceremony and reception. Many brides have held their ceremony and reception in the same space. If you decide to go that route, come back and ask the women on the boards for suggestions on how best to set it up.

A good photographer can make any environment work!

climbingsingle · May 2018

Another thing to consider is the hardwood floors at the gym. Your guests (and you!) will probably be limited as to what kind of shoes you can wear, so as not to damage or scuff their hardwood floors. It's not a typical hardwood floor you'd find in other venues.

And yes, you'll need to think about how you'll be able to store and serve food.

ahoywedding · May 2018

It's cool to think about getting married in a place that's special to you, and alternatives to the "church ceremony and hotel reception" are usually fun for guests. However, there are a couple things to think about with a gym.

Big first question: have you asked the gym yet if they'd allow that? There could be quite a bit of liability on their end, so I'd nail this question down before you get any further. They may also have to charge you for the space and/or have a gym employee working during your wedding.

How big is that aerobics room? It may seem like a good size when you're in there for a class, but once you put chairs & tables, the space goes away quickly. What would be the path guests would walk to get to the room? At our gym, the aerobics room is in the back, and you have to walk past the machines to get there. Not an issue if you're coming to work out or people are just milling around, but if you have guests with ambulatory issues they may have trouble navigating around everything.

Would they require you to rent a dance floor or some other sort of floor covering, so that you don't scuff up their aerobics floor? How would they feel about tables on their aerobics floor? Some of the floors in gyms are pretty pricey or a specialized material and they may not want you dancing or spilling on it.

Overall, it seems like you may find it being more hassle than it's worth. You'd need to bring in every single vendor, and it may also be hard to find vendors who would work in that space. I definitely see a problem with catering, since most gyms don't have a commercial size refrigerator nor do they have a food prep area. We got married at the science museum, which was a bit of an unconventional venue, and only used vendors who were recommended by the museum or had worked there previously.

An alternative option may be to see if the gym would allow you to take some of your engagement photos there or if your timeline allows, you could take some fun pics there on your wedding day.

MesmrEwe · June 2018

Unless you own said gym or this is the type of gym that rents out to events I'm going to guess that it's going to be a "no"... Go with the church and the gathering hall for the reception. It's set up for those types of events. Logistically things like tables/chairs, linens, tableware, glassware, kitchen space for the caterers, guest experience, doesn't smell like a gym, etc. Unless the flooring in the aerobics room is rubber matting, you're going to be extremely limited on the shoes your guests are allowed to wear, and even then, icing is not good to get on rubber matting even though accidental. Then beverages, etc.

The RD is a more situational appropriate time to incorporate the sports theme than the wedding itself. You may be better going with a gym theme (like Halloween party) where you spread word of mouth to "dress for the gym", or wear your gym shoes under your dress, have sports themed desserts, have some protein brownies as a dessert option, FI wears a sports tie, WP wear Referee/sport specific shirts, whatever. But really, my social-circle friends are primarily bodybuilders, powerlifters, and strongmen, and as much as we all love our time in the gym, it's also good/healthy for all of us gym rats to have a chance to clean up once in a while.

Jen4948 · June 2018

I'd have both the ceremony and reception at the church. I like the suggestions above of taking photos at the gym or working a sports theme into other elements of your wedding.

MyNameIsNot · June 2018

I had a friend who got married in a dance studio, so I'll say it can be done. But it was a ton of work, and wasn't cheap.

My very first question, if the gym will even allow this, will they close to members that day, or will you hear weights dropping on the floor in the background during your vows? I wouldn't even consider it if people will be working out. Outside of the obvious smell issue, are your guests going to be comfortable sharing the bathroom with gym goers doing their normal locker room routine? Would the members be comfortable grabbing a shower with a bunch of strange wedding guests around?

Trying to decide on a ceremony/reception venue

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