intimate reception-max 25 guests..need suggestions!

lbraccia

I live in Rockaway. I would like to get married in our local church. My problem is the reception/dinner or whatever I would call it!!!  I am only planning to invite immediate family on both my side and my fiance's.  The total will be the most 25 people including myself and my fiance. Any suggestions on where to go or what to do? I feel its too small for the whole reception routine but I want something special. HELP PLEASE! I've been engaged since August and can't decide on what to do or where to have it!
thanks
Laura

ginam98

For more specific answers I'd recommend going to the NJ board. This board is International and I don't live locally so I can't be of much help for locations... But, I may be able to help a little with ideas.

Our wedding will be small as well, I'm thinking around 30 people will RSVP yes. We decided to go the destination wedding route, we live in the Boston MA area but the wedding will be in Orlando Florida. I think this alone sets our wedding apart from almost everyone on the guest list's wedding and makes it unique. Despite the small guest list, we still wanted to have a really beautiful wedding so we chose an upscale venue (The Ritz-Carlton Hotel). We are getting married at the hotel and having a reception dinner at Norman's (a nice restaurant in the hotel). We hired string musicians to play background music during dinner for ambiance. After dinner we are heading to a hospitality suite for desserts/coffee etc.

I completely agree with you, a reception in a ballroom with a DJ & dancefloor seems a little strange for a group of that size. I feel like with the high ceilings in a ballroom it would feel overwhelming. Perhaps doing something similar to what we are doing would work for you as well.

JaniceE1

I'm doing something similiar I think.  Given the economy, you could save some $$ by not having the facility fee for the reception.  Instead, try a private dining room in a local restaurant. 

atlcatlover

I also suggest a private room at a restaurant.  We had 68 guests and that is what we did and it was perfect, and a whole lot less stress!

secour

We're having only 30 guests.  We're doing an 11am wedding at a chapel.  Then a luncheon reception immediately following (right next door to the chapel).  We'll have beer, wine, pop, and punch at the bar (since it's a small group they're only going to charge us for what's consumed - it will be cheaper that way).  We'll have a full lunch and wedding cake.  We will do background music via ipod.  I doubt that there will be any dancing, but everyone will enjoy drinks and conversation and good food.  We'll do the traditional cake cutting.  Later that night, an even larger group is getting together at one of our family members house for music, dancing, hearty appetizers, and lots of drinking.  It will be an open house (come and go) type of gathering.  Then the following morning we're having breakfast at the restaurant inside of the hotel where we're staying, everyone is invited to join us for that as well.

2dBride

We also used the private dining room of a restaurant for the first of our two receptions.  (We had one for a dozen people in Massachusetts where we got married, then a much larger one at home in DC.)  We went high end on everything--filet mignon or lobster were among the entree choices, we had a champagne toast and unlimited wine--and still ended up at about $100 per person, including tax and service charge.  And it was a whole lot easier to organize than a venue in which we rented from one vendor, got catering through a second, got rentals through a third, etc.

Need a Dress

Think outside the box!
Why don't you look into a Bed & Breakfast in your area, they usually have big dinning rooms with French or English furniture and plenty of character. Or maybe you can rent a cottage for the weekend and have a big bbq party.

Thats all I can think of right now, hope it helps!

Goldlie11

We're having a reception of about 25-30 people.  We're renting out a private room in a restaurant.  The upside to this is that you can pick a type of food that not normally served at weddings (like sushi if you want to).  My FI and I are going to go for either Cuban or Mexican food.  

MRose83

How about renting a small tent and have long tables instead of round. There are many size tents, and I'm sure there are ones good enough for 25 guests. Good Luck!