Second Wedding Question?

Question

My fiance and I are to be married in November, it is the second marriage for both of us. We are tying the not in Las Vegas, just the two of us. We want to have some type of function after the holidays to celebrate with family and close friends. Probably 50 people at the most. We are not sure whether to just have a dinner in a private room in a local restaurant, not sure if that would be kind of boring. We could also rent a hall with a dance floor and have music etc. We definitely don't want a full blown reception since we've been there, done that. Also don't want to break the bank. Any suggestions would be most appreciated on how to make it special but not extravagant.

Answer 1

My friend rented a small hall and just did a few decorations and had a dj and the cake and that was it. It was really nice and not over the top.

~MLF~

Answer 2

Not sure where you are located and if weather would permit... but you could have a party in your (or a friend's) backyard - complete with a food, drink, a DJ and Dancing... this would keep things relatively inexpensive.

OR... rent the small hall and have a party with a Vegas theme.  Maybe even hold a Poker Tournament during the night?!

Whatever you decide, congratulations!

Answer 3

From one Vegas bride to another, congrats!

We are having a small wedding in Vegas with about 15 people in attendance,  A month after we get married in October, we are planning a small reception in our home.  We are preparing the food ourselves (italian) as well as our cake.  (We are going to be taking two cake decorating classes together.)  This simple reception is much more our style than a big, lavish, and expensive party.  We plan on having about 50 people as well.  

Renting a VFW or Eagle's Hall would also be very cost effective if you did not want to do it at home.

Answer 4

We just married off our daughter in Vegas on 8/8/08.  Both their second marriages.

The best reception idea is a cocktail/mixer party at your home.  Invite all your friends/family.  Heavy appetizers, etc.  Should be fun and cheap.

Congratulations!!

Answer 5

I suggest you rent a hall with a dance floor and invite only up to 50 people. I'm sure that it would be affordable for you.

Answer 6

Just plan some sort of small gathering such as in a party room at a nice restaurant. Not a hall.

I'm going to a second wedding end of August. They are having a ceremony, followed by a champagne brunch at a beautiful hotel. There will be about 60 guests.

Answer 7

You could rent a little hall like a VFW or knights of columbus.  Very cheap, some decorations, and platters catered from a local restauraunt.  If you are I-POD savy (I'm not) or one of your friends are you can have them organize a play list to skip on DJ costs.  Have a bar available.  People will have fun.  I think a private room at a restauraunt would work OK too as long as you can have some light music in the background.

Answer 8

It sounds like you're trying to do it all in one blow. But how about if you break it up a little?

Option 1: Have a drop-in day. Set aside a weekend day (Saturday) and tell your friends and family that you'll be available for a visit and to share pictures of your wedding from 1-7PM. Set up some light snacks and drinks and let everyone drop by when they have the time.

Option 2: Have two celebrations at your place with 25 people each. You can have one in the afternoon and one in the evening. You could have one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. You could ask 25 guests to come on one Saturday and the other 25 to come the following Saturday.

Both of these options allow greater intimacy and could work nicely.