Ceremony & reception in one-need tips!

xosmashh

Hi all!
My fiance and I are having a very small wedding with a very small budget. Due to budget restraints, we'll be having it at a local VFW of sorts. We can't have anything hanging from the ceiling. My first thought was to cover the walls (wood paneling, new) but then we decided to have it early afternoon so we'll be getting a lot of light through the windows. Anybody have any ideas?
I'm also looking for how we can get the ceremony to flow into the reception without making it awkward.
Thanks!
-Ashlee

SP29

We had our ceremony and reception in the same room- it worked out great, however it was at a venue so the staff took care of set up. Do you have staff who are able to do the room change over for you? Who will do it if not?

During the ceremony the tables were all set up (linens and centerpieces) but pushed together in the back of the room. Chairs were set up for the ceremony already with covers. Once the ceremony was over, everyone went out onto the veranda (covered) which is where we received/thanked our guests. Took about 15 minutes to change the room over where the staff moved the tables out, put the chairs with the tables removed the aisle runner and arch from the ceremony and brought out any other tables needed for the reception.

Oh, our cake table (with cake) was already set up and left in its spot for the ceremony and our head table was also set up at the front of the room, so it was behind us during the ceremony. I didn't love that, but there was no where else for the staff to put it during the ceremony.

As for decor, table linens, chair covers and centerpieces will do enough! Get an aisle runner for the ceremony and an arch. Do some flowers on stands up by where you will give your vows if you want. I wouldn't worry too much about the walls or the ceilings. The lights they have up now would look nice in the evening. You could also put some candles in the window sills for the reception and dim the lights (if you can) to make it feel more intimate and formal. 

Are you allowed to take any of the plaques off the wall? Those are the only things that make it look less like a wedding room, but if not, don't worry about it. You could also do some draping on the walls just where your WP table will be. If you use flowers as decor for the ceremony keep them for the reception as well next to your WP table.