Planning A Reception Without A Wedding: A Unique Guide

Planning a reception without a wedding is a great way to celebrate your nuptials without the traditional ceremony. Whether you're already married, eloped, or simply prefer a more low-key celebration, there are plenty of options to choose from. The planning process is similar to that of a traditional wedding, but with a few key differences. You don't need to hire an officiant, and you can skip the wedding party and formal gown if you wish. The reception venue, number of guests, and vendors will have the biggest impact on your budget, so it's important to consider these factors carefully. From restaurant parties to beach picnics, there are many ways to create a unique and memorable celebration.

Choosing a venue

When choosing a venue for a reception without a wedding, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the venue's availability and capacity will determine the date of your reception and the number of people you can invite. It is therefore important to tour and price out multiple venues before making a decision.

If you are looking for a more intimate gathering, a restaurant could be a good option. This could be a restaurant that holds a special meaning for you, such as the place where you went on your first date or one that serves your favourite dishes. Alternatively, you could opt for a restaurant that serves a different style of cuisine, such as Italian or Spanish, or one that offers a specially designed menu and accompanying wines. If possible, book a private room for your celebration.

If you are looking for something more quirky and fun, you could consider an outdoor movie night. String up some fairy lights, hire a projector and screen, throw some bean bags around the garden, and celebrate with your guests while watching a film.

For a more elegant feel, ask the venue to create signature cocktails for you and your partner, named after your favourite holiday location or film. For food, serve bite-sized hors d’oeuvres and have a few food stations serving oysters or local cheeses, where guests can help themselves.

Food and drink

If you're planning a reception without a wedding, the food and drink you choose will depend on the style of reception you want to have. If you're looking for a more casual affair, you could opt for a picnic-style reception on the beach with a hamper of food and drinks like a Devon cream tea, or Prosecco.

For a more formal reception, you could choose a restaurant that has special meaning for you, or one that serves a style of cuisine you love. If you want to make the event feel extra special, you could ask the restaurant to create a custom menu or wine pairing for your group. If you have a large number of guests, you could also ask the restaurant to create a few signature cocktails and name them after you and your partner, or your favourite things.

If you're planning a reception at a venue, you'll need to consider the number of guests and your budget when deciding on food and drink. You could ask the venue to provide bite-sized hors d'oeuvres and food stations with items like oysters or local cheeses for guests to help themselves.

Budgeting

The biggest costs to consider are the venue, the number of guests, and the vendors. It's a good idea to tour and price out multiple venues before making a decision. The venue's availability and capacity will also impact the date of your reception and how many people you can invite.

If you're looking to save money, consider a restaurant as your venue. You could choose a restaurant with special meaning, such as where you had your first date, or one that serves your favourite dishes. Alternatively, opt for a restaurant that serves a different style of cuisine, such as Italian or Spanish. If you can, book a private room for your celebration.

Another way to save money is to skip the formal wedding gown and go for a more casual look. This will also make your reception feel more relaxed and intimate. You could also ask the venue to create a couple of signature cocktails and name them after you and your partner, or your favourite holiday location or film. For food, serve bite-sized hors d'oeuvres and have a few food stations with items like oysters or local cheeses.

Guest list

The guest list for a reception without a wedding is one of the most important factors in determining the cost of the event. The number of guests will influence the venue, vendors, and budget.

If you're already married, eloped, or had a small ceremony, you may want to invite your family and friends to a reception-only wedding. The guest list is entirely up to you, but it's important to consider the capacity of your chosen venue. If you have a small guest list, you might opt for an intimate dinner at a restaurant with special meaning, such as the place where you had your first date. Alternatively, you could choose a restaurant that serves a different style of cuisine, such as Italian or Spanish, or one that offers a specially designed menu and accompanying wines.

If you're looking for something more casual, you could head to the beach with your guests and enjoy a Devon cream tea hamper with clotted cream, jam, homemade scones, and Pimm's or Prosecco. This option is perfect for a small group of close friends.

For a fun and quirky post-wedding celebration, you could string up fairy lights, hire a projector and screen, throw some bean bags around the garden, and celebrate with an outdoor movie night. This option is ideal for a larger group and can be a unique and memorable way to spend time with your guests.

Timing

The timing of your reception will depend on the type of event you want to host. If you're planning a reception without a wedding, you can treat the reception as the main event, with its own guest list and arrangements.

The first thing to consider is your budget. This will help you decide on the venue, the number of guests, and the vendors. Once you've chosen a venue, you can decide on a date based on its availability and capacity.

If you're planning a more intimate gathering, you might opt for a restaurant celebration. You could choose a restaurant that holds special meaning for you, or one that serves a particular style of cuisine. If you're able to book a private room, this will add to the occasion.

For a more casual event, you could head to the beach with your guests and enjoy a picnic with blankets, or even an outdoor movie night with fairy lights, bean bags, and a projector.

Frequently asked questions