My partner and I have found a beautiful venue that we are just about to book for our wedding. We found it weeks ago and fell in love with it, did a site visit and were over the moon.
This venue has its limitations, which is to be expected because it’s the only stunning venue that is actually within our budget. There are speakers built-in around the room which we tested and found to be a decent noise level (not quiet, but not so loud you have to raise your voice to speak to eachother), however no amplified music can be played in the space (DJ, musicians etc). It is also a smaller room as there are only 35 people coming (the room holds 42 max.) however we will have access to the lawns outside provided the weather is good (it’s in peak summer, so fingers crossed!)
We’ve created some visuals on how the space will look if we are only in the one room (ie if it rains), and we are now happy with how everything looks now we’ve adjusted the floor plan to make more room.
My question is now, are speakers enough?
Our day is going to be more relaxed than your usual wedding. We will get married in the Orangery at 4 pm, then have a one hour drinks reception in the bar next door, and then come back into the Orangery after they flip it for the buffet. We will then stay in that room for the rest of the night with our playlist playing on the speakers. There will be one speech from my dad and my fiance‘s best man, but that’s it.
Originally we loved this idea because it was basically like our engagement party all over again, but all over social media all I’m seeing are these extravagant parties and part of me is starting to worry that my wedding won’t be fun. I know what makes a wedding fun is the audience, and I am very blessed to have a very fun group of friends that will be joining us on the day, but I don’t know if we’re doing enough to make it fun and memorable.
I’ve asked the venue if we’re allowed a saxman as I think this could be a really good workaround, having our playlist play through the speakers while everyone is eating and having a saxman come out later to liven it up. This would work very well if we were allowed outside, as he could go across the lawns, but there are rooms above the venue, so i imagine he’d have to stay inside, where there isn’t really any space to dance with all the tables.
As there’s no DJ, it’s also just dimmable lighting. We can bring uplighters, though I’m not sure if that’ll fit the vibe (it’s a grand old architecture room).
What do you guys suggest, or am I overthinking this as it’s finally all getting real now we’re about to sign the contract?
I can’t and never will be able to warrant a large sum of money on our wedding, as our future will always take priority, however I want to see what I can do (without changing the space) to make this fun for a bunch of 20 something year olds.
Any ideas are welcome 🤍