Host Your Reception in an intimate Event Space

Wedding Reception Ideas

Planning your wedding reception shouldn’t be overwhelming but if you plan to invite 200 guests, it is very likely that is a feeling you may experience. Imagine the cost savings you will benefit by limiting your reception’s guest list to under 100 guests that deserve to be there; which are the people closest to you. Reducing your reception down to an intimate, comfortable head-count creates a heightened personal experience, helps you see exactly where your money goes and makes it much easier to create memories with each one of your guests. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to have a big wedding reception space in order to have a huge effect. However, there is more to hosting your wedding reception in an intimate event venue than decreasing your guest list.

Below we provide 6 tips and ideas on wedding receptions.

1. A Wedding Reception On a Budget

2. Wedding Reception with 50 Guests

3. Wedding Reception Decorations

4. Wedding Reception Entertainment Ideas

5. Wedding Planner

6. A Baltimore Reception Venue

A Wedding Reception On A Budget

It’s your big day! Celebrating it the right way is important, but sometimes, the budget can get in the way. Though an intimate event space is more cost-friendly, you may wonder if you’ll have enough space for all of the elements of your wedding reception, and rest assured – you can. Your guest list is made up of individuals who absolutely love you so no matter if your ceremony takes place at a mansion, church, or other location, they will show up for you wherever you tell them to go. Catering and décor are two major costs that will be cut down tremendously if you utilize an intimate wedding venue. Here are some tips to help you make the most of hosting your wedding reception at an intimate event venue.

Wedding Reception with 50 Guests

Do not confuse shrinking the size of your reception for settling for just any space. Before your search for the perfect intimate event space, make a list of amenities that you would like the venue you choose to have. It is possible for you to love a venue that is missing an amenity or two from your list so put a star next to or highlight the amenities that are non-negotiable. You may find that your list of desired amenities may grow as you contact different venues. Staying within the guest limit will allow you to find a venue that’s budget-friendly and may also have all the amenities you are looking for. 50 guests will still allow for a lot of fun, intimate and more dedicated special time with your loved ones, and less overall costs.

Wedding Reception Decorations

The decorator set-up time may be considered a non-negotiable. When choosing the venue, make sure that your event decorator has adequate time for set up and that you have included it in your allotted venue rental time. The time needed to break down the event needs to be included as well. If you are using vendors (i.e., chair/table rental companies, special décor, party rentals, etc.), be clear in communication about what time those vendors are to drop off and pick up materials or property. Its standard that a venue or event space will require that setup and breakdown be included within your rental window.

There are a few tricks that will help your décor shine brighter on a smaller scale. Try not to overdo your wedding reception with bulky furniture or decorations. You may maximize on throne chairs and a custom table setting for the bride and groom’s space but consider folding chairs and tables for your guests. Shorter centerpieces bring out your décor better and help you have a better visual of the room. While you may believe mirrors will add a beautiful touch to your ambiance, avoid using them as they tend to make the room look smaller. Personalizing your décor, wedding reception favors, or keepsakes add a personal touch and can help ensure that your event is unique to you. Customize place settings such as place cards, wooden initials, or a photo of the guest can help make your attendees special for taking the time to celebrate you on your big day. Most importantly, be sure to maximize your space and leave room for wedding reception activities.

Wedding Reception Entertainment Ideas

There isn’t any element that you will have to sacrifice if you’re on a budget, however, you can make the best use of the intimate venue space by choosing your entertainment needs a la carte.

Wedding Reception Playlist

Music is a major part of your special day. The music Instead of a live band, pianist, or another live artist, hire a DJ. A DJ is a lot cheaper and will provide a variety of music to entertain your guest. Do you know what else will? A playlist. Most intimate event venues have Bluetooth speakers that are available for your use! You can also curate the playlist to your favorite songs and it’s even a fun thing to do with your partner. That cuts the cost down even more; maybe even down to zero as some spaces have that amenity included in the cost of space rental.  

Wedding Reception Bar

Last Call for alcohol! (if that’s your thing) Instead of a traditional bar, consider having a champagne wall that can be placed at the entrance or near your food lineup. Another option is to create a signature drink that can be in prefilled glasses on a displayed table. You can also hire a mixologist and pre-plan drinks ahead of time. No need for a cash bar or even unlimited drinks if you want your guests to focus on the event and not on drinking so much they won’t remember the night! You can still keep it fun and have a good balance.

Wedding Photographer

Photographs are another non-negotiable because it’s important to capture your wedding and reception, right? Right! This part is one of the most important, imagine 20 years later you and your significant other want to tell the story of your wedding day but the only thing you have are photos from phones your guests took? Hiring a wedding photographer, one that has experience covering weddings should be one of the top priorities alongside finding a venue. To cut down on costs, you can also ask the photographer for the price difference in covering the ceremony and the reception or just one of the two, however, having someone there to document the day professionally is ideal.

Photo Booth for Wedding Reception

Alongside a professional photographer who captures all of the elements of your special day, there is usually a photo area set up for pictures. Consider adding a photo booth in exchange for a photographer or both! Photo booths are a fun way to get your attendees up and involved in the festivities of your day, all while saving space that may have been otherwise occupied by a larger photo backdrop. 360 Photo booths are great, but they occupy lots of space, while a stand-alone selfie station photo booth will occupy less space, and won’t need extra attendants to manage it all. You and your guests get to have fun taking photos together, capturing the energy, and giving them something to remember it by.

Wedding Planner

Last but not least, it’s ideal to hire a wedding planner to reduce the stress of doing everything on your own, a wedding done a la carte can save you a lot of money if done right, but you may have to consider the logistics of calling, scheduling, and booking all the vendors on your own. Sure, you would be in charge of coordinating everything your way and within your budget but with a wedding planner, you would know that everything is done perfectly to your liking. If you aren’t on a strict budget, this is the best route.

A Baltimore Reception Venue

We may be biased, sure, but Studio 87 is the perfect intimate venue space if you are looking to host your wedding reception in Baltimore, Dundalk, Rosedale, Essex, or the surrounding areas. In addition to being a beautiful space that can accommodate 50 seated comfortably, their pricing is all-inclusive, which means you get access to the space and everything it offers. What all does it offer you ask? Amenities include a kitchenette, full-size refrigerator, tables and chairs, black linen for tables, 2 restrooms, 65” Smart TV, guest access to high-speed WiFi, Bluetooth speaker and iPad (DJ not required), and free onsite parking for up to 27 vehicles right outside the door.

Also, in addition to those wonderful amenities, the venue has a photo booth for rent as well as a high-quality photographer/videographer at a discounted rate if used in-house. Willis Aybar, the owner of Studio 87, has been a photographer for over 10 years so you would be in great hands.

Now that you have learned how to make a big impact with your wedding reception on a smaller scale. Sure, there is a lot to consider but hopefully, these tips have educated you that the possibilities are still endless when making your wedding reception more intimate.