Non-Traditional receptions??

goldfish+

Hello everyone!  New here!  Well, I actually spent a lot of time on here years back as MOH's for several friends but now it's my turn!

My FI and I are wanting a super small and non-traditional reception.  Wedding will probably be a courthouse with only immediate family. 

For the reception we're hoping to keep it around 100.  To keep the costs down we're thinking a Sunday afternoon brunch or hors d'oeuvres reception.  Does anyone do anything like this or attended something like this? We figure we can cut out a lot of usual wedding expenses this way.

Also, it's been years since I've been in the wedding world (helping friends and such).  Do people still use flower vendors at the Mpls Farmer's Market?  If we did a small Sunday brunch I'd only need a few, small arrangements for tables.

Thanks!

graysquirrel

Hello and welcome! 

Yes, brunch and hors d'oeuvres receptions are done and are becoming more and more common. As long as you let people know what they will be getting (like saying in the invitation "brunch to follow" or something) and time things properly so that they don't expect a huge dinner, you will be just fine. 

I have seen a number of brides on here use Farmers Market flowers, but I don't know any specifics. Hopefully if they are here they will come out of the woodwork!

tpender13

I'm all for skipping a lot of the spendy parts of the wedding (I didn't have flowers, cake, or a real pro photographer) and I love the idea of a Sunday brunch reception! If Steph is around, she may be able to give you tips as she had a Sunday wedding, though I think she had a more traditional dinner.

Congrats on your engagement! And welcome!

kekr0202

Hello Goldfish!  Welcome. 

We're holding a short Saturday evening non-traditional ceremony followed by an appetizer & cocktail reception for approximately 80 guests.  Not only are we saving money by going this route but I actually have way more fun at weddings like this and hope our guests will too!

We're holding both the ceremony & reception at 5120 Restaurant & Onyx Bar in Bloomington.  Beautiful space!  Might be worth checking out as I know they can also accommodate brunches.

SSaltzman87

I've definitely heard of people using flowers from the farmer's market vendors. You could easily go the morning of to buy them. It's definitely becoming more common for couples to go with your idea :-)

graysquirrel

Are you planning on DIYing your flowers, I would highly recommend doing them the night before vs the day of. It takes a little while to do and you definitely don't want to feel rushed!

I missed on your OP about having a Sunday wedding. We had one and the best thing you can do is to let people know over and over again that it is a SUNDAY not Saturday. People couldn't seem to get that through their heads. We put it very clearly on our STDs, invitations, and website. 

kekr0202

I agree that you probably want to arrage your flowers in advance of the wedding day (unless you purchase the already put together bouquets and pop 'em in a vase) and make sure they're stored properly.

goldfish+

Wow thank you everyone!  We're probably doing a private ceremony on a different date so the brunch reception will be on it's own day.  We'd be sure to make it clear that it's a Sunday and hopefully the earlier meal time would help.

Yes we'd be DIY'ing the flowers.  It wouldn't be a lot of work (no bm's, gm, etc).

Thanks so much!  Look forward to the planning!

pinkshaya

Hey kekr0202 I'm glad to hear you love the Onxy, we're going to be doing a visit there in the next couple of weeks. Any advice? Honestly they seem to be one of the veiw venues that has the classy feel we're looking for and is in our budget.