Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts?

Bonzo2011 · May 2011

FI and I saw a venue today that we loved, but there is one thing I'm unsure about. For the reception, dining is set up outside on the lawn, and dancing is then inside. I feel a little weird about this set up, but I absolutely loved the venue otherwise, so I'm hoping to get some feedback on this.
The site is a historical house on a large property. There are vinyards, orchards, and beautiful gardens. While walking around, I could actually imagine myself walking down the aisle toward the gazebo (the first venue we've visited so far where I could actually see the ceremony in my head). The facilities manager then showed us the lawn where the reception is normally set up, and it's lovely. The thing is, because of noise ordinances and because there are residences surrounding the historic park, any music has to occur inside the historic house. The house is great, and the rooms that they set up for dancing would be a great size, and in theory there's good flow between the lawn and the interior. My concern is that, since the doors are supposed to remain closed (noise ordinance again) it feels like the dancing will be utterly separate from the rest of the reception. Everyone has to shlep inside to watch the first dance, do the hora, everything. I'm not sure if that's too awkward.
Has anyone been to a wedding with this sort of setup? Was it as awkward as I'm imagining? Or did it work? Any advice? TIA

KatyRoseM · May 2011

How do they get inside? Do they have to go around or are there doors to open right there? If the doors are right there I don't see a problem. It will be nice to have some separate places. My sisters wedding had an upstairs and dancing downstairs. You could see and hear everywhere, but it was nice to have a separate place to go. If you love it otherwise I say go for it.

Sue-n-Kevin · May 2011

Our situation is similar to yours, but the eating is indoors, the dancing outdoors (no noise ordinances)

We are also getting married at an historic village. The "banquet building" is an old home turned into a banquet facility. We are having a tent set up next to it, there are glass french doors that open on the side of the building and people can pass back & forth. The doors can't be left open because the building is air conditioned. We are doing this because the max capacity in the reception room is 100, and with a set up for that many, there is no room for a dance floor & DJ. If it rains, we'll just have to move the tables closer together and dance & party indoors.

I don't find our situation awkward at all because we've been planning it this way for over a year. However, in your case, is it possible to have tables & chairs set up indoors as well? Is there room? While it would mean duplicating the cost of table, chair and linen rentals, it might be worth it. You'd also need to think of this option in case of rain.

Good luck.

dunn1678 · May 2011

Where are you getting married?

We have the same issue at our venue, the dancing will take place in a barn that is seperate from the tables and such. The barn will have a window open for the bar to be accessed to people not in the barn but other than that it will be closed up.

I don't think it will be too weird but I have gone through some anxiety over it. I just decided that if people want to join in the dancing they will and if now they can hang out in the lawn area and enjoy the evening!

We are also having a hora at our wedding and that was the biggest concern as the barn isn't that large so it will be weird that it will be closed up.

Good luck!

Bonzo2011 · May 2011

Thanks for all the comments--you've all given me a lot to think about and talk over with my fiance, and my parents (they're paying).

To answer a couple of the questions:

The site in question is in Livermore, CA. We're getting married July 1, 2012, so I don't think rain will be an issue. If it rains in Livermore in July, the world has bigger issues than a ruined wedding reception--climate change will be skyrocketing! lol

There really isn't much of an option for tables to be inside. Yes, it's a theoretical possiblility, but it would mean cutting our estimated guest list down to 50 from 150. Not something I want to do at this point.

It is easy to get between the spaces, so flow between spaces isn't bad. And there are nice windows so that people can stand on the patio and watch if they don't want to go inside.

I did talk to my mom about it a bit, and we've decided to mull it over and continue looking at venues. We wouldn't even be able to submit the rental application for this place until July 15 anyway, so we might as well keep looking. Ideally a place will come up that has everything I want, without separating the guests.

Thanks again for all the good thinking points!

Mrs.B6302007 · May 2011

What's the weather generally like on July 1? OUtdoor receptions can be brutal in the heat.

RoxieBee10 · May 2011

My sisters venue was similar in that the dining room was upstairs and the dance floor was downstairs. They were able to put a few tables downstairs by the dance floor (grandma and grandpa needed to be able to sit) but for the most part everyone stood.
I think it could work, depending on your crowd. Is it a group that is going to be up dancing/mingling anyway?
Maybe in addition to a few round tables with chairs you could bring in some cocktail tables so people have something to stand around, put a drink on, etc.

Bonzo2011 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_eating-outside-wdancing-inside-thoughts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:1ce3ef2c-91f0-4ffa-b39d-d77eff97d416Post:a4295c5c-8797-4be4-b327-27dc5b3c7186">Re: Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts?</a>:
[QUOTE]What's the weather generally like on July 1? OUtdoor receptions can be brutal in the heat.
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]

Over the past 10 years, July temps in Livermore have an average max of 87F and an average min of 57F (granted, min is typically during the night). So yes, it can get fairly hot, though most of our guests are from the East Coast and are used to hot humid summer weather. Of course, I know from the experience of visiting the East Coast in the summer that hot dry and hot humid are very different things! The site does have a lot of good shade, and the buiilding will be air conditioned. Not perfect, but like I said above, since we can't even put in a request for a few months yet, we'll keep our options open.

Nati05 · May 2011

I think it will be fine. Ours is somewhat similar, but backwards. Dancing outside. I agree with PPs however, provide a few cocktail tables and chairs for people to sit, lean against or relax for a bit between dances, without having to leave the area just to get a seat. Good luck!

Mrs.B6302007 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_eating-outside-wdancing-inside-thoughts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:1ce3ef2c-91f0-4ffa-b39d-d77eff97d416Post:a1d37137-949f-4c0f-85c5-1749ca3e268f">Re: Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts? : Over the past 10 years, July temps in Livermore have an average max of 87F and an average min of 57F (granted, min is typically during the night). So yes, it can get fairly hot, though most of our guests are from the East Coast and are used to hot humid summer weather. Of course, I know from the experience of visiting the East Coast in the summer that hot dry and hot humid are very different things! The site does have a lot of good shade, and the buiilding will be air conditioned. Not perfect, but like I said above, since we can't even put in a request for a few months yet, we'll keep our options open.
Posted by Bonzo2011[/QUOTE]

I'm from the East (FL), too, so I know about hot and humid. Even though I'm "used to it", that still doesn't mean that I would appreciate dressing up to sit around sweating in 87 degree weather. Definitely something to consider. GL!

Bonzo2011 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_eating-outside-wdancing-inside-thoughts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:1ce3ef2c-91f0-4ffa-b39d-d77eff97d416Post:aeaf6f1d-1400-4250-b8df-2e9e0be6f09d">Re: Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts? : I'm from the East (FL), too, so I know about hot and humid. Even though I'm "used to it", that still doesn't mean that I would appreciate dressing up to sit around sweating in 87 degree weather. Definitely something to consider. GL!
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]
Yeah, good point. And if the male guests wear suits they have it even worse! Definitely something to keep in mind.

I do like PPs idea of putting cocktail tables and some seating indoors. There would be space to do some like that.

Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts?

Re: Eating outside w/dancing inside? Thoughts?

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