Dinner outside, dancing/drinking/dessert inside?

Knottie1470957460

Hello! I want to have my wedding in a historical mansion. It's a beautiful venue, and I'm just so in love with the space. The only problem is that the main "saloon" area (which is connected to two drawing rooms and a vestibule) is only big enough for dancing/cocktails (for a 100-person event)

I was thinking of having dinner outside in the front of the mansion (probably a tent situation), and then having dancing and drinks in the saloon. I'd line the saloon with cocktail tables and four barstools at each table, so that there'd be nearly enough seating for 70% of the guests to sit if needed (including round tables for the older folks to sit). 

I'm not a huge dancer, but I like the idea that the saloon would be a dancing/mingling area. If I'm already standing, I feel like I'm more inclined to dance. I've been to traditional wedding venues and I feel like I get too comfortable in my seat, that it's almost more awkward to get up and go to "center stage" area to dance. 

As far as dessert, I'd have a bar and dessert station set up in the drawing room, as well as more seating there.

I like the idea of encouraging guests to circulate through the space, but will it be annoying to have guests go from outside to the inside to drink and dance? 

The flow would be:
1. Ceremony in the saloon
2. Cocktail hour in the drawing rooms, vestibule, terrace (all connected)
3. Eat outside
4. Back inside to dance, eat dinner, and eat dessert (optional seating throughout the mansion, again with about 70% of it inside the saloon).

Is this a terrible idea? In theory I love it, but again – I've never been to this kind of wedding and it's definitely not traditional

Any advice is helpful! Thank you! 

I posted a screenshot of the layout, with my idea for the second part of the reception sketched in. https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ne5ek6wz3ms8mt/Screenshot%202016-08-22%2012.27.19.png?dl=0

[Deleted User]

Would the seats still be available/set up outside during the dancing part in case people still want to sit and hang out at the tables? 

Knottie1470957460

Sure, but the mansion also has six sets of french doors so they would all be open to the outdoor air (weather permitting!)

banana468

I think something like this could work.   I'd also ask them what they've done in the past.


I just attended a wedding at a resort and we ate outside in a covered area.   That was the seating for all of us.   Then we could walk just inside and that's where the cake cutting took place, the candy bar was placed and that's where we danced.

I actually liked it a lot because if we wanted fresh air or a break from the noise, we just went back outside to our tables. 

Knottie1470957460

Thanks! I think it's new to the wedding scene, it's been recently renovated and they haven't done a lot of weddings there yet. The other option is to do just the ceremony and cocktail hour in the mansion, and have a tent wedding (dinner + reception) under a tent outside. 

I obviously want to use the interiors because that's what drew me to the venue in the first place, but also want my guests to be comfortable! Not having a "home base" (one table you return to for the duration of the night) is a concern, for sure. 

lyndausvi

I've seen weddings set up like that, worked well.

southernbelle0915

Technically, if you have a seat for every butt and accommodations that guard against bad weather, then you're in the clear. Do your outside tent accommodations protect from more than just rain - i.e. if it's too cold, too hot, humid, buggy or muddy?

But I'm sorry, I have to dissent here in this situation. I think you've found a dream venue that won't comfortably accommodate your large guest list so you're trying to "make it work".

Any wedding I've ever been to where the guests are split up in multiple rooms/spaces because the space is too small for the whole guest list, the wedding has ended early and it's not as fun. It's hard to find the newlyweds (and anyone else) and the flow of people from room to room is usually congested and awkward.

I totally get the allure of a dream venue. I would look around a little more and just keep an open mind considering function, too.

Knottie1470957460

cool! how many weddings have you been to where it's been like this? if you don't mind me asking? I can't believe weddings would end early because of this! Crazy world. 

also the wedding is first week of October, in the Philadelphia area. Could be too hot or too cold, both situations are a bit rare that week. Tho rain is a high possibility. 

Thanks for your feedback though! Probably going with this venue regardless. If I decide to not use the saloon for dancing, then the entire reception will be under a tent. 

SP29

I don't have an issue with what you are planning, sounds like it will work as long as there is a chair for every butt. I think the DJ playing music will naturally draw people in. Also fine to have your entire reception outdoors under a tent.

My only concern, is what if the weather is bad? Cold or raining. Where will your guests eat dinner? I don't have an issue with doing some parts inside and some parts outside, but it sounds like the venue isn't large enough for your guest list, should you require all parts inside.

Knottie1470957460

Sounds like the only way to make an outdoor (or a part-outdoor) wedding work is to have outdoor air conditioning, heating, tent walls, and flooring? 

yikes! 

MobKaz

Knottie1470957460 said:

Sounds like the only way to make an outdoor (or a part-outdoor) wedding work is to have outdoor air conditioning, heating, tent walls, and flooring? 

yikes! 

Outdoor weddings are lovely and wonderful when all the stars align and the weather is beautiful.  But anyone that plans an outdoor wedding must have a Plan B that is as comfortable as the original plan in the event a few rogue stars decide to go renegade.

[Deleted User]

Knottie1470957460 said:

Sounds like the only way to make an outdoor (or a part-outdoor) wedding work is to have outdoor air conditioning, heating, tent walls, and flooring? 

yikes! 

She isn't saying you have to do this, she's asking what your back up plan is if the weather doesn't cooperate. It's a good question and something you should consider anyways. No need to be a smart ass with your response. 

Knottie1470957460

Definitely wasn't being sarcastic. It sounds like outdoor isn't an option if there isn't an all-indoors backup plan (for this time of year, when it can be both too hot OR too cold).

Thanks for everyones' advice!!

[Deleted User]

Knottie1470957460 said:

Definitely wasn't being sarcastic. It sounds like outdoor isn't an option if there isn't an all-indoors backup plan (for this time of year, when it can be both too hot OR too cold).

Thanks for everyones' advice!!

Apologies. Mis interpreted tone. 

ei34

I attended one wedding like this, and I really liked it because sitting at the dinner table i was easily able to chat with everyone...one of my bigger reception peeves is that I have to scream over blaring music to be heard while sitting at the table (during dinner the music goes lower, but during the pasta and salad courses it's pretty loud).  So the DJ in another area is great IMO.
One thing about this wedding though, the weather was absolutely perfect.  High 60s, no rain or humidity...I'd make sure that your tent can stand up to extreme temperatures and sideways rain.  Enjoy.

justsie

southernbelle0915 said:

Technically, if you have a seat for every butt and accommodations that guard against bad weather, then you're in the clear. Do your outside tent accommodations protect from more than just rain - i.e. if it's too cold, too hot, humid, buggy or muddy?

But I'm sorry, I have to dissent here in this situation. I think you've found a dream venue that won't comfortably accommodate your large guest list so you're trying to "make it work".

Any wedding I've ever been to where the guests are split up in multiple rooms/spaces because the space is too small for the whole guest list, the wedding has ended early and it's not as fun. It's hard to find the newlyweds (and anyone else) and the flow of people from room to room is usually congested and awkward.

I totally get the allure of a dream venue. I would look around a little more and just keep an open mind considering function, too.

I agree with bolded. I attended a wedding recently that had most of the table and chairs for dinner and cake cutting inside, and remaining table and chairs, dinner buffet and dancing outside. I felt really disconnected, and the grandparents sat inside and probably felt like they missed out on the fist dances, toasts and mingling with family that just didn't come inside. I never once saw the bride and groom and was not thanked for attending the wedding. I can also attest that there were plenty of people standing around the dance floor not dancing, but that could have been due to the bad DJ- what part of a ton of people wearing blue jeans and cowboy boots means you only play 1-2 country songs? The flow felt very awkward.

PrettyGirlLost

southernbelle0915 said:

Technically, if you have a seat for every butt and accommodations that guard against bad weather, then you're in the clear. Do your outside tent accommodations protect from more than just rain - i.e. if it's too cold, too hot, humid, buggy or muddy?

But I'm sorry, I have to dissent here in this situation. I think you've found a dream venue that won't comfortably accommodate your large guest list so you're trying to "make it work".

Any wedding I've ever been to where the guests are split up in multiple rooms/spaces because the space is too small for the whole guest list, the wedding has ended early and it's not as fun. It's hard to find the newlyweds (and anyone else) and the flow of people from room to room is usually congested and awkward.

I totally get the allure of a dream venue. I would look around a little more and just keep an open mind considering function, too.

I'm going to disagree with this.  I've been to a few weddings with a multiple room setup, and they have been a lot of fun.

OP, my reception venue was also a historic mansion and my guests were spread out during dinner throughout multiple rooms on the main floor, and we also had an additional bar and seating, and a photobooth in the wine cellar on the floor below.  Our dance floor was in the foyer in the middle of the 1st floor.

We had our food stations during cocktail hour and dinner spread out between all of the rooms on the 1st floor, and the flow of bodies from room to room and floor to floor was quite natural all night.  Just about everyone stayed until 11pm when the reception officially ended, and more would have stayed longer and hung out at the main bar except that we had literally drank the place dry at that point!

I think your plan sounds just fine.

southernbelle0915

Knottie1470957460 said:

cool! how many weddings have you been to where it's been like this? if you don't mind me asking? I can't believe weddings would end early because of this! Crazy world. 

also the wedding is first week of October, in the Philadelphia area. Could be too hot or too cold, both situations are a bit rare that week. Tho rain is a high possibility. 

Thanks for your feedback though! Probably going with this venue regardless. If I decide to not use the saloon for dancing, then the entire reception will be under a tent. 

Five. Closest one your situation was September in New York at an estate turned B&B. It had poured rain that day so it was soggy and ended up being cold and buggy outside so everyone was crammed inside trying to move from room to room.

People just ended up leaving early, so the party naturally dissolved earlier than scheduled. Kind of a bummer for the B&G. @PrettyGirlLost did it and it went ok. Success can happen, I'm sure. Just in 100% of the weddings I've been to that were set up like this, it ended early and wasn't one of those super fun, memorable weddings, you know?

Knottie1470957460

Just talked to the venue and they allow setting up the tent 3 days in advance. If i went with a tent for the entire reception, i'd prob do that in case it rained prior to wedding day - the ground would be dry.

In addition, sounds like tent siding walls are also a must for side rain and the occasional hurricane (winds).

I've been to one event (not a wedding) outside, under a tent with walls and it actually rained quite a bit. I have to say (it was a nice temp - 70 degrees) the rain was quite beautiful, when observing from under a tent (there were clear walls - I'm sure they were $$$ for the size of this tent, but it was still nice).

One concern is letting people know stillettos are probably not a great option for grass. Might be cute to offer blankets or something it gets too cold at night.

Thanks for everyones thoughtful opinions! 

 

Knottie1470957460

southernbelle0915 I'm sorry you had such a bad time at so many weddings. sounds not fun

kylexo

Knottie1470957460 said:

Just talked to the venue and they allow setting up the tent 3 days in advance. If i went with a tent for the entire reception, i'd prob do that in case it rained prior to wedding day - the ground would be dry.

In addition, sounds like tent siding walls are also a must for side rain and the occasional hurricane (winds).

I've been to one event (not a wedding) outside, under a tent with walls and it actually rained quite a bit. I have to say (it was a nice temp - 70 degrees) the rain was quite beautiful, when observing from under a tent (there were clear walls - I'm sure they were $$$ for the size of this tent, but it was still nice).

One concern is letting people know stillettos are probably not a great option for grass. Might be cute to offer blankets or something it gets too cold at night.

Thanks for everyones thoughtful opinions! 

 

We were worried about people having appropriate shoes for the wedding (in a barn with wide wood planks for flooring and on a lawn) so we put a note on the website just making sure folks knew what they'd be walking on and to plan accordingly. My DH's aunt thanked us at the reception for the heads up!

SP29

Knottie1470957460 said:

Just talked to the venue and they allow setting up the tent 3 days in advance. If i went with a tent for the entire reception, i'd prob do that in case it rained prior to wedding day - the ground would be dry.

In addition, sounds like tent siding walls are also a must for side rain and the occasional hurricane (winds).

I've been to one event (not a wedding) outside, under a tent with walls and it actually rained quite a bit. I have to say (it was a nice temp - 70 degrees) the rain was quite beautiful, when observing from under a tent (there were clear walls - I'm sure they were $$$ for the size of this tent, but it was still nice).

One concern is letting people know stillettos are probably not a great option for grass. Might be cute to offer blankets or something it gets too cold at night.

Thanks for everyones thoughtful opinions! 

 

I wouldn't tell your guests what shoes to wear, but it would be a good idea to state on your wedding website "Reception will be held on grass". People can make the choice for themselves. Some people may still wear their stilettos with heel caps.

I like the idea of a tent with walls, and if it is set up in advance, would keep the grass dry. I do also like the idea of ceremony and cocktail hour inside, dinner + dancing outside.

southernbelle0915

Knottie1470957460 said:

southernbelle0915 I'm sorry you had such a bad time at so many weddings. sounds not fun

It wasn't "such a bad time". Just bad planning on the part of the hosts. It's a small fraction of the well planned weddings I've been to, so no skin off my back.