Post # 1
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
Hi all! We recently got engaged and picked out our venue to hold out outdoor wedding and indoor reception in late oct:)
We wanted to get married sooner than later, and with the options available (none with a wedding 10 months away), our venue is very very small. Don’t get me wrong – we LOVE it but I’m not sure what to do.
The venue is a two story location, room for 6 tables on each level. So if we filled the entire venue with tables we could fit 70-80 very comfortably, which is fine considering our guest list.
OUr problem is we want a dj and dancing. Cant be outside, township noise ordinance.
SO here are the only things i can think of-
1) do dinner/cake and break down tables immediately after to have room for dancing on one of the floors? (Is this tacky?)
2)Cut our guest list to 50 to have continuous dancing/dj on one of the floors? (this will be difficult, he has a huge family
3) An hors d’oeuvers and cocktails only wedding to give more space?
Ah i have NO idea what to do and any kind of adivce to alleviate my stress would be great! We still need a caterer too ahhh
Please help!
Post # 3
Member
4014 posts
Honey bee
At my FBIL’s wedding they had to break down some tables to make room for dancing and I didnt see anything wrong with it! If youre done eating, then why not? Just make sure to leave plenty of chairs for when people want to sit down!
Post # 4
Member
14496 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I don’t see why you couldn’t have dinner then break down some of the tables. You may want to leave some, if not most, of the chairs around the edge of the room for people to sit it. I would have someone announce it early so there is no shock to people who might be sitting at the tables that are going to be broke down.
Post # 5
Member
1061 posts
Bumble bee
We had to break down 5 of 15 tables for the dance floor. It was announced that we were going to cut the cake and those tables would be cleared. Everyone sort of gathered around while we cut the cake and the cleared the dance floor. We went from the cake cutting to the 1st dance with fairly minimal delay.
Post # 6
Member
4676 posts
Honey bee
Most wedding I’ve been to have had to break tables down for dancing. I don’t think your guests will mind, just keep a couple up along with some chairs and you will be set!
Post # 7
Member
2866 posts
Sugar bee
I have never seen tables broken down at a reception, but I wouldn’t find it weird either. My only concern would be not everyone will dance all night. People need places to sit and also tables so not sure how that would play out, I’d feel odd just sitting at a chair with no table or place to put my purse, drink etc.
Post # 8
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
Thanks so much girls! I’ve never been to a wedding where tables had to be removed so to hear that this is pretty normal is great 🙂
Very good idea Sarah of announcing cake cutting and having guests move to that area while tables are removed. Maybe Ill have the caterer set up the cake downstairs while upstairs tables are removed…great idea
I definitely agree with keeping a few so people can sit down if needed.
Thank you once again youve all been so helpful 🙂
Post # 9
Member
3265 posts
Sugar bee
I do not like the tables being broken down. It really ruins the allure of the evening for me. But I wouldn’t be offended if it happened. It would be like people hauling a bag of trash through. I know logically that it happens but I wouldn’t want to see it.
It also displaces all those people who now no longer have a place to put their purses and men to leave their jackets. All other seats will obviously be taken and those people will be hobos.
It also gives you an A area and a B area. People seated on the level not with the couple are bound to feel slighted.
I would alter the guestlist to suit the venue. Just because someone has a large familiy doesn’t mean that all those people must be invited.
Member