Small space, small wedding

mrsfrontrunner

Hello brides!  I'm planning a wedding and reception to be held in the church that the FI and I belong to.  Our guest list is small (around 80 people).  Our church has a reception hall that will hold enough tables and chairs for us and our guests (as well as the food), but there will not be enough room for a dance floor.  We could clear out the sanctuary after the ceremony and have the reception there, or possibly just the dancing.  Any thoughts on what would be best?  Any advice is appreciated, after all, I'm asking for it.  Thank you in advance!!

roseofdeborah

First of all, does the church allow dancing? I know that most in my area do not. If that's not a problem, you have to figure out if you have people who could clear out the sanctuary because you would most likely have to hire someone. That would be the best case scenario. It is better to have the dance area and tables/chairs in the same room but you would have to have a place to hold your guests during the transition time. This is where most people impliment a cocktail hour.

mrsfrontrunner

The church does allow dancing - and I think my Pastor is ready to cut a rug.  My bridesmaids have graciously volunteered their husbands to make the transition for me.  Especially since the BM will be occupied with picture taking.  I could have everyone escorted to the reception hall (just downstairs) for a 'mock-tail hour' - no alcohol in the church.  Then have everyone come back up for food and dancing with plenty of space.  Is it too much to ask to have my guests walk down stairs and upstairs?  There are easier routes for less abled guests. 

Summer2011Bride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_small-space-small-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e03d64d2-4433-4fc6-a4fa-ffe9ef27a267Post:c81a8c16-7fb1-4435-8458-5c801b6ec475">Re: Small space, small wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]The church does allow dancing - and I think my Pastor is ready to cut a rug. <strong> My bridesmaids have graciously volunteered their husbands to make the transition for me.</strong>  Especially since the BM will be occupied with picture taking.  I could have everyone escorted to the reception hall (just downstairs) for a 'mock-tail hour' - no alcohol in the church.  Then have everyone come back up for food and dancing with plenty of space.  Is it too much to ask to have my guests walk down stairs and upstairs?  There are easier routes for less abled guests. 
Posted by mrsfrontrunner[/QUOTE]

But how do their husbands feel about this? And assuming the husbands are wedding guests (which they should be) they're now going to be doing this work while they are guests at your wedding and wearing dress clothes? I don't think you should make or "volunteer" any of your guests to do the work for you; hire someone for that.

I don't see a huge issue with walking downstairs then coming back up as long as you have other options, like you said, for those who would have difficulty with that. Many times at the reception venue, the cocktail hour and dinner/dancing are in two different spots anyhow.

mrsfrontrunner

The husbands are guests - and though they have said they will help in any way that they can, I worry about them moving tables in dress clothes as well.  I just didn't know if an hour for delivery and set up would be appropriate for rental places. *With this option, I would rent tables so that the mocktail hour would still have appropriate seating for all guests*

If the husbands do end up doing the grunt work, the best man will have cash/gift cards to compensate them for their time and effort. 

mrsfrontrunner

That is a great idea - I hadn't even thought of that.  I guess because it's unexpected.  I'll play around with the tables and chairs to see if I can get that look to work.