Restaurant Wedding Receptions: A Great Option?

If you're a foodie couple looking for a wedding venue with personality, a restaurant could be the perfect choice. Restaurant weddings offer a unique, intimate setting with top-notch food and drinks, and they can be more affordable than traditional venues. However, there are a few things to consider, such as the size of your guest list, spatial limitations, and customisation options.

Restaurant weddings typically offer cost savings, as many elements like tables, chairs, linens, serveware, and decor are already included. Plus, you won't need to worry about hiring external caterers or dealing with liquor licenses. However, the cost of fully renting out a restaurant for a wedding and closing it to normal customers can be high.

When planning a restaurant wedding, it's important to establish your aesthetic and priorities, create a streamlined guest list, and hire an experienced wedding planner. You should also be prepared to make some compromises, as there may be limitations on customising the space, and some restaurants may have strict policies on bringing in outside food or decorations.

Overall, restaurant weddings can be a great option for couples looking for a unique, intimate celebration with delicious food and drinks. With careful planning and consideration, you can create a memorable and personalised event that reflects your style and budget.

Restaurant weddings are more affordable than traditional venues

Value for Money

When you book a traditional wedding venue, you're often paying separately for the space, catering, drinks, and other amenities. In contrast, a restaurant wedding offers value for money because the business model of a restaurant relies primarily on food and drink. This means you're effectively dealing with one business instead of two, and your budget can go further.

In-house Catering and Amenities

Restaurants already have kitchens, chefs, bartenders, flatware, tables, chairs, linens, serveware, candles, and sometimes even decor. This means you can eliminate the need for hiring external caterers and renting various items, which can add up to significant cost savings.

Private Dining Rooms

Many restaurants have private dining rooms or separate event spaces that can be booked for intimate wedding receptions. This option can be more affordable than a full restaurant buyout, as the restaurant can continue its regular operations in the main dining area.

Customizable Menus

While you may not have as much freedom to customize the look of a restaurant as you would with a traditional venue, you often have more flexibility with the menu. Restaurants are usually open to creating a unique menu or offering a limited selection of dishes and drinks that you and your partner love, which can be served family-style or as a limited à la carte option for very small events.

Lower Guest Count

Restaurant weddings typically cater to smaller, more intimate gatherings, which can help keep costs down. With a reduced guest list, you may be able to opt for a partial buyout of a private dining room or event space, rather than a full restaurant buyout, which tends to be much more expensive.

Off-peak Days and Times

As restaurants tend to be busiest on Friday and Saturday nights, choosing an off-peak day of the week or a daytime slot can result in significant savings. Opting for a wedding during the restaurant's slower periods can also give you more flexibility with the space and potentially lower food and beverage minimums.

You can save money on decor as restaurants are already decorated

One of the biggest advantages of hosting your wedding reception at a restaurant is the potential to save money on decor. Restaurants are already beautifully decorated, so you can save money by not having to shell out for hefty rentals.

While you may want to add some personal touches to the space, such as centrepieces for each table, you won't need to worry about renting furniture or other large decorative items. This can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you were planning on hiring a professional wedding decorator.

In addition, restaurants often have distinctive styles and their own furniture, which can add to the charm and uniqueness of your wedding reception. You can also accentuate any eye-catching details the restaurant may have, such as an interior courtyard or a cosy fireplace, by planning cocktail hour or coffee service around these features.

By choosing a restaurant for your wedding reception, you can not only save money on decor but also create a stylish and intimate atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.

You can serve food that has a special meaning to you

If you're a foodie couple, having your wedding reception at a restaurant is a great way to celebrate your love of food with your guests. It's also an opportunity to serve dishes that hold a special meaning for you.

Perhaps you have a favourite restaurant that you frequent every Wednesday when you don't feel like cooking. Or maybe there's a spot that holds a special memory, like the place where you had your first date. Choosing a restaurant with sentimental value can make your wedding day that much more meaningful.

When it comes to the menu, you can get creative and serve food that reflects your relationship. For instance, if you had your first date at a fabulous sushi restaurant, you could serve sushi rolls as hors d'oeuvres or a sashimi spread as the first course. If Italian food is your favourite, family-style platters of pasta can be a great way to get your guests talking and interacting.

You can also incorporate dishes that you ate on special occasions, like a dish from your engagement celebration or a meal from your honeymoon destination. If you're adventurous eaters, you could even create a menu that takes your guests on a culinary journey, with dishes from different countries or regions that hold a special place in your heart.

Another idea is to include a dish that's a family favourite or a cultural dish that represents your heritage. This is a wonderful way to personalise the menu and showcase your love and unity. It can also be a way to involve your family members in the planning process by soliciting their ideas and feedback.

When planning your restaurant wedding reception, keep in mind that the food choices are endless, and you can truly make the menu your own. By serving food that holds a special meaning for you, you'll not only delight your guests' taste buds but also add a unique and heartfelt touch to your celebration.

You can save money on rentals as restaurants have their own tables, chairs, etc

One of the biggest advantages of hosting your wedding reception at a restaurant is the potential for cost savings. Restaurants already have tables, chairs, cutlery, and other essentials, so you can save money on rentals.

When it comes to decor, you can save money by taking advantage of the restaurant's existing furnishings and style. You may only need to think about centrepieces for each table, and perhaps some additional lighting or accent pieces to personalise the space.

If you're looking to keep costs down, consider choosing a restaurant with a private dining room or event space. This way, you can enjoy an intimate celebration without having to rent out the entire restaurant. The cost will depend on the size of your group and when you plan to host your wedding. Typically, weekends and evenings are more expensive, so consider a weekday lunch reception if you're on a budget.

Another way to save money is to choose a restaurant that doesn't typically host weddings. They may be more flexible with their pricing and willing to work with you to create a package that suits your needs. However, keep in mind that a restaurant that hasn't hosted weddings before may not have the same level of experience in planning and executing wedding receptions.

Overall, hosting your wedding reception at a restaurant can be a great way to save money on rentals, decor, and other costs associated with traditional wedding venues. By choosing a restaurant, you can create an intimate and unique celebration while also enjoying delicious food and drinks in a stylish setting.

You can save money on catering as the restaurant will provide the food and drink

One of the biggest advantages of hosting your wedding reception at a restaurant is the potential to save money on catering. By choosing a restaurant, you can benefit from their existing resources and in-house services, which can be more cost-effective than hiring external caterers.

Firstly, a restaurant already has its own kitchen facilities, which means you don't have to worry about renting or sourcing equipment for food preparation. Their kitchen staff will also be familiar with the space, which can lead to a more efficient and seamless service during your reception.

Secondly, restaurants typically have their own wait staff, which means you won't need to hire additional servers or bartenders. This can result in significant cost savings, as you won't need to pay for external staff hire and their associated fees.

Additionally, restaurants often have their own tableware, glassware, and linens, which further reduces the need for rentals. This is especially beneficial if you're looking for a particular style or ambiance, as restaurants usually have a distinctive aesthetic that can enhance your reception's atmosphere.

Moreover, the food and drinks themselves can be more affordable at a restaurant. Since the restaurant's primary business model relies on food and beverage sales, they can often offer packages or deals that are more budget-friendly than hiring an external caterer. This is because you're only dealing with one business, as opposed to separate venue and catering costs.

Finally, restaurants often have set menus or signature dishes, which can streamline the planning process and make it easier to estimate costs. While you may still be able to customise the menu to some extent, working with a restaurant's existing offerings can provide a clearer idea of expenses and help you avoid unexpected charges.

In summary, hosting your wedding reception at a restaurant can offer significant savings on catering. By utilising the restaurant's existing resources, staff, and offerings, you can create a memorable reception while also keeping costs under control.

Frequently asked questions