Outdoor vs indoor reception? NE Ohio

Re: Outdoor vs indoor reception? NE Ohio

• JoanE2012 member

  

  February 2015

  Knottie24671926 said:

  Hi everyone, I'm new here! We recently booked a local community center for June 11, 2016 and we didn't have to pay a penny to do so! I couldn't believe we had to book so soon, but between May-June of 2016 they only had two or three dates left! (Can't remember exactly! haha)
  http://perrytownship-lake.com/perry-community-center/
  
  We can have the ceremony and reception there if we want as it is right on the lake and very pretty! I like the hall a lot, but I've always wanted an outdoor reception. A "backyard wedding," I guess you can say. We want something budget friendly and informal, but we have to get it catered. We are only inviting about 130 people, so I would assume anywhere from 100-120 people would probably attend. My dad has a friend that would let us use his property for our reception but we have thought of some issues. Tents are expensive, and so are renting tables/chairs! I think when it comes down to it, it would be cheaper to go with the hall. I feel torn, but I have a lot of time to think about it.
  Anyone else have a similar issue?
  By the way, I'm Courtney and Tyler is my fiance.
  

  The community center let you secure a date with no money?  That's highly unusual, at least in my experience.....do you have a written contract?  

  
  

  Always assume that you'll have 100% attendance.  I've seen too many brides get burned thinking they'd have less.  Plan and budget for 100% and you'll be fine!

  
  

  And you're right.....planning an event outdoors requires lots of logistics.  It can be done, it's just often more work than an indoor event.  You'd have to weigh the pros and cons (and expenses) with both and decide which works best for you.

  
  

  Congratulations and welcome to TK!

  Report0 Reply
• ElcaB member

  

  February 2015

  Welcome to TK! 

  
  

  I live in NEO and priced out the cost of an outdoor reception when I was considering it for my own wedding. Take it from me, it gets very pricey very quickly --- tents, tables, and chairs are just the beginning. 

  
  

  Besides the cost, you have to take the added responsibility & stress into account. Where will people park? What about bathrooms? Even if you have tents, what if it's ridiculously hot? What if it rains the entire week & the ground is all muddy? There are tons of variables to consider when having an outdoor party. 

  
  

  If I were you, I'd compromise by renting the hall and considering an outdoor ceremony, which would be much less risky. That way, you could have your dose of outdoorsy-ness without worrying the entire time about the million and one things that could go wrong.  

  
  

  Best of luck with your decision!

  

  Report0 Reply
• tammym1001 member

  

  February 2015

  I agree with @ElcaB: I would book the community center and try to have an outdoor ceremony with an indoor reception. I'm not a fan of outdoor receptions anyways. Weather in NE Ohio is so unpredictable in June and you could end up with some really miserable people that have to be outside in who knows what kind of weather for 4 or 5 hours.

  
  

  Report1 Reply
• [Deleted User] member

  

  February 2015

  I live in NEO too and agree with other PP, go with the Hall, if it rains, you have full protection and if it's hot (which it can be in June) you have A/C. With having it at friends house you have to consider, parking, bathrooms, who sets up the tables, who sets up the chairs, trash removal, who is going to do all the clean up (and probably in the dark or come back the next day), will you be responsible for any damage to their yard for the amount of people there. It's a beautiful venue and you can do an outdoor ceremony and photos there. If it's a beautiful evening, see if you can set up some of the tables and chairs outside for people to go & relax & watch the sunset and have the doors open so they can hear the music in the background. It would be great for those who want to talk & relax while the dancing goes on in the background.

  Report1 Reply
• [Deleted User] member

  

  February 2015

  Other advantage of indoor receptions  NO BUGS!!!!

   

  Report0 Reply
• tycourt member

  

  February 2015

  Thanks everyone!
  

  Report0 Reply
• southernbelle0915 mod

  

  February 2015

  Another vote for an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception. We considered doing something similar to you, but ended up moving the reception to a nearby venue.
  
  You'd think something like this would be more simple/laid back but it's actually really complicated and everything is a la carte (read: expensive). If you don't have a wedding planner or day of coordinator, you're constantly on the phone with delivery people, directing set up, coordinating all the various vendors.... Plus you have the added stress of the unpredictable - what if it rains the day before the the ground is soggy/muddy? For a short ceremony, you can get through it, but a reception?

  *********************************************************************************

  
  

  

  Report0 Reply