So you’re getting married at city hall. Whether you aren’t particularly religious or simply want to save money, a city hall ceremony will be over about as soon as you say “I do.” If you need a little help with what kind of reception to throw, read on, my kittens, read on.
You may have some extra dough to spend on a reception, and even if you don’t, these ideas will ensure everyone has a totally awesome and completely wonderful good time. Read now, and be inspired!
Back Room Of Your Favorite Bar
One of the easiest ways to keep things casual after your city hall ceremony is to hold the reception the back room of your most favoritest bar. Depending on the establishment, a back room may be readily available for you and yours to party down in.
If you’re feeling particularly ambitious and have some cash to burn, consider closing down the place for you and your closest friends and family. Now that’s one heck of an open bar. Add some decorations if you want, such as a “Congratulations” sign or at least a nicely-decorated table for the cake. Just because you had a city hall wedding doesn’t mean you can’t have cake.
Beach House
Let’s say your city hall location is not ridiculously far from a beloved shore town and you are a lifelong beach bunny. Why not rent a large shore house for the weekend, assuming you or some family members/friends don’t own one? A weekend of sun, surf, music, and plenty of beer is a fantastic way to toast your new life as newlyweds.
It also gives you an excuse to show off in your white bikini. Pamela Anderson famously married Tommy Lee in such a bikini, and suffice it to say she looked pretty darn amazing… and set a new standard for beach weddings.
Local Dance Hall Or Community Center
Perhaps the local dance hall or community center is big enough for tables, chairs, and a wholeeeee lot of dancing. Feeling the beat of the rhythm of the night is a wedding staple for many, and if you love to dance, why not support either of these types of establishments? Make a playlist for a DJ to adhere to, or hire a band because you saved so much money on wedding venue costs.
Farm
There are farms all over the country that offer wedding services. Some feature animals while others are simply barn buildings and adjoining fields. A farm wedding reception is always a good time, especially if there are big bricks of hay to climb on.
Farm settings often create incredible photo opportunities too, such as a picture of you and your partner holding hands or hugging against a natural, sunset-tastic backdrop.
Winery
Who doesn’t love a winery wedding reception? Very few people, that’s who. Like many farms, wineries regularly provide wedding ceremony and reception services since they typically feature rolling hills and other gorgeous scenery, including babbling brooks and glittering lakes.
A winery venue also means you don’t have to worry at all about running out of booze.
Botanical Garden
Ah, the beauty of a botanical garden. The lush and imaginative gardens in Atlanta, GA, for example, seem like something out of a dream, while the seemingly-endless gardens within Golden Gate Park in San Francisco feature everything from bamboo to redwood groves.
Whether you live in either of these areas or not, a botanical garden wedding reception is another stunning option friends and family won’t soon forget. Enjoy watching your guests roam around snapping picture after picture as you clink glasses with your newly-minted spouse.
Have these ideas inspired you? Can you think of other unique reception ideas following a city hall wedding you’d like to share? Add your ideas to the comments! 🙂
