Wedding Reception at home..???

seven-day-weekend

We got married over 41 years ago at a registry office with just a few friends and then had a party at my (much older) sister's and my mum made the cake.

Enjoy your day. It sounds wonderful. And may you have a long and happy marriage too xx

MrsDrink

Okay just a *few* piccies ha!
Inside The House:

We had the laptop set up to stream the photos we'd gotten back from the photographer from the ceremony so those who couldn't make it could see them.


I had LOADS of balloons in our wedding colours all over the inside of the downstairs of the house. Cheap and cheerful way to 'weddingfy' the house to make it more special than 'just' a house party. Oh and while I'm at it, I also did some signs for the toilets as not everyone had been to our house before (and we had just finished the downstairs toilet which noone had used).




To keep everyone's alcohol flowing I actually got a second fridge (oh I also got a second freezer to store all the food in before I cooked/prepared it on the day). I put a sign on the front of the 'drinks' fridge asking people to replace their cool drinks with a warm one on the side. I was reliably informed that this kept the drinks cold. I have heard of people having big buckets/baths of iced water - but the problem with that is getting the drinks out especially when the ice has melted - guys don't really want to be having to take their jackets off/rolling their sleeves up to dive in.


The wedding cake - hand made by me, a month in advance and frozen (another reason I needed another freezer). Taken out and defrosted in place. (Although if doing similar put the table it's on on something water proof as all the water from the cheesecakes defrosting dribbled down the back of ours and went on the carpet - luckily it hasn't stained it.)

Outside The House


Again I had more balloons outside, but I also made these. (And sold the hearts on ebay afterwards for a small profit!!)




I did look into hiring a marquee - but omg they are far too expensive. I got these gazebos from Tescos Direct at the time of the queens jubilee when everyone was having garden parties!! Saved me a fortune. They were something ridiculous like £14/17 each!! They were really just incase it !!!!ed it down and would provide the smokers somewhere to go.


These were my equivalent to chair covers. And the greatest thing is I still have them on display.

And one final photo - just to prove we had a good time:

tea_lover

Those cheesecakes look amazing!!!

I think it's a lovely idea - but definitely make sure you've roped in some help with the clearing up. It's your (you and your OH) special day... so someone else can wash up!

lika_86

Check out this home wedding reception:

http://www.simplythenest.com/journal/2010/7/21/wedding-week-how-to-put-a-marquee-over-your-entire-garden.html

tubie22

jar_fairy wrote: »

Had my wedding reception at home. Well at my parents house as it is bigger. Just made a buffet, bought drink and provided chairs. Was really nice, I hate fuss so it was perfect!

Sounds perfect, exactly what I would want.

tubie22

MrsDrink wrote: »

Okay just a *few* piccies ha!
Inside The House:

We had the laptop set up to stream the photos we'd gotten back from the photographer from the ceremony so those who couldn't make it could see them.


I had LOADS of balloons in our wedding colours all over the inside of the downstairs of the house. Cheap and cheerful way to 'weddingfy' the house to make it more special than 'just' a house party. Oh and while I'm at it, I also did some signs for the toilets as not everyone had been to our house before (and we had just finished the downstairs toilet which noone had used).




To keep everyone's alcohol flowing I actually got a second fridge (oh I also got a second freezer to store all the food in before I cooked/prepared it on the day). I put a sign on the front of the 'drinks' fridge asking people to replace their cool drinks with a warm one on the side. I was reliably informed that this kept the drinks cold. I have heard of people having big buckets/baths of iced water - but the problem with that is getting the drinks out especially when the ice has melted - guys don't really want to be having to take their jackets off/rolling their sleeves up to dive in.


The wedding cake - hand made by me, a month in advance and frozen (another reason I needed another freezer). Taken out and defrosted in place. (Although if doing similar put the table it's on on something water proof as all the water from the cheesecakes defrosting dribbled down the back of ours and went on the carpet - luckily it hasn't stained it.)

Outside The House


Again I had more balloons outside, but I also made these. (And sold the hearts on ebay afterwards for a small profit!!)




I did look into hiring a marquee - but omg they are far too expensive. I got these gazebos from Tescos Direct at the time of the queens jubilee when everyone was having garden parties!! Saved me a fortune. They were something ridiculous like £14/17 each!! They were really just incase it !!!!ed it down and would provide the smokers somewhere to go.


These were my equivalent to chair covers. And the greatest thing is I still have them on display.

And one final photo - just to prove we had a good time:

That's all fantastic! Looks brilliant! I love the photos on the laptop idea

Rottensocks

Sounds like a fab idea!

You could even do a 'bring a plate' style wedding, so that your guests are bringing food too: sounds like a scrounger thing to do, but I bet many will be relieved to be asked to contribute a plate of pineapple & cheese on sticks rather than a John Lewis Wedding List!

Peanut2013

Sounds fab!

We're currently hunting for venues. We're looking for somewhere to have a blessing and reception where we've decided to cater it ourself. If I had a friend with a big enough garden I'd do that, but we don't

Mrs Drink : I love your hearts! How did you make them? x

Lara44

Definitely get help with the catering. There seemed to be so much to do on the day of the wedding that I hadn't even considered. You don't want to be so knackered with cooking that you don't enjoy the day. Great idea though!

Goldiegirl

It's your wedding, so it's up to you how you do it.

Personally, I'd get caterers or other help in to do the food, as I'd want to have a happy relaxed day too. Doing food for guests, getting it all set up and making sure my guests had their glass full and enough food would put me in a frazzle on my wedding day.