Ceremony and Reception in same room?

Ams327

So to cut costs, we decided to have both our ceremony and reception at the same place. The only thing is, we're debating on either having the ceremony indoors or outside since it will be a July wedding we're just worried about the weather. The hall we have booked is basically an old giant ballroom so we're concerned on having it flow nicely. The plan is to do the ceremony, followed by going to get our pictures and come back to the ballroom for the reception. Any ideas on how to have this flow nicely for our guests and not being completely awkward and unorganized?! 

libby2483

Is there an area of the room that guests could go to for cocktails while the rest of the room is flipped?  Or could you rent a tent and get married outdoors (unless it is the heat you're worried about)?

[Deleted User]

I'm having ceremony and reception in the same room, and we're taking pictures before hand so that after the ceremony we can flow right into the reception!

Ams327

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_ceremony-and-reception-in-same-room?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:0f6b0d92-667e-4b1c-affb-35a2e6f364cfPost:ed61e1a6-3546-4ad0-a146-3658921a2fda">Re: Ceremony and Reception in same room?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm having ceremony and reception in the same room, and we're taking pictures before hand so that after the ceremony we can flow right into the reception!
Posted by Jinxed329[/QUOTE]
That's a great idea! I mentioned that before to my fiance but he wanted to try and keep it traditional and not see me until the ceremony though. 

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_ceremony-and-reception-in-same-room?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:0f6b0d92-667e-4b1c-affb-35a2e6f364cfPost:b404c887-92aa-4489-a7aa-162a296ff1a7">Re: Ceremony and Reception in same room?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Ceremony and Reception in same room? : That's a great idea! I mentioned that before to my fiance but he wanted to try and keep it traditional and not see me until the ceremony though. 
Posted by Ams327[/QUOTE]

<div>Can you have a cocktail hour with appetizers then?  It will be an added expense, yes, but then FI will get to keep it traditional!  After the ceremony I'd just have the officiant or DJ announce, "the newlyweds will now be having some bridal portraits done, feel free to help yourself to the passed appetizers in the meantime."</div>

brilibby4

Our ceremony and reception were in the same room (basically a big barn).  We had the reception tables all set up off to the sides and out of the way during the ceremony.  once the bridal party exited the ceremony, the DJ announced that cocktail hour would take place upstairs on the balconies.  While the guests went upstairs, the venue workers pulled the tables out into their places.  Guests wandered back down and found their escort cards/tables after they got some food and drinks upstairs.  It went very smoothly and I highly recommend having the guests move to a different area for the cocktail hour so the room can be switched.  Maybe they can move outside to a tent? 

annamhisle

I am doing this!

I am just having the guests sitting at the round tables during the ceremony. We are taking pictures before hand so after we get married, we will just step out for a minute to enjoy the moment & returnt  cut the cake (also a dessert only reception)