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Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

Jan60504 Posted:

Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I'm thinking about booking my reception at a townhouse in Manhattan, but several things concern me.

It is small - like I said, it's a townhouse. We would get the first and second floor of it for the duration of the party. Cocktail hour would be downstairs (but the downstairs would be open with a bar all night) and the dinner would be a buffet upstairs. Our tables would have to be split into two different rooms with the buffet in between. There would not be enough seating for everyone - manager says that's ok because since it's buffet not everyone is eating at once. There would be a few (maybe 3) large tables - 10/12 person and several 'cocktail tables' - 4-5 person tables. The dance floor is very small (in one of the rooms).

I like the space because it's very different and beautiful, but I'm concerned that it won't make for a fun or comfortable wedding. I have to make my decision tomorrow so I need some help from you - does this sound like a wedding disaster, or an elegant evening of mingling???

P.S. - I REALLY need your help because I have to make this decision on my own - FI hasn't seen the place and can't because of work. They won't hold the date any longer! Please be my advisors!



sophie78 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I would be worried that splitting up the room would split up the party. Where would the band be? I would keep looking. The place won't book up within the next week or so.

eternityawaits Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

When you say 'not enough seating for everyone', how many people are you having vs. how many seats? I can see maybe not having seats for 20 or so, but a lot of people will make themselves comfy and chitchat while eating too

LisaT Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

it depends a lot on your crowd. If its mainly young, I think they'd handle the set up better. I can see onder guests being uncomfortable.

Not having enough seats is concerning. Generally in these settings, there are MORE seats than guests because not every seat at every table will be filled (if there's only 1 seat left at a table, a group will move on to the next table). Also, as people are getting up, their places need to be cleared - that occupies some placesettings too. And people may put their bag down at one table and then sit somewhere else while talking to someone (therefore taking up two spaces).

just some food for thought...
julybride444 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

Could you do a cocktail party? It sounds like the space is better suited to that....and cocktail parties can be a lot of fun, esp. if you have a young crowd! If FH is fine with the party being split up..then it doesn't matter on his end.

I can think of a few other spaces in the city if you're interested, depending on your budget.

Good luck!
karen32 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

i have a few concerns. if the tables are in two different rooms won't some people miss part of the action?? will there be a dance floor to bring everyone together?? if there aren't enough seats, what will everyone do once the eating is over??? where will people put their pocketbooks if there's not enough seats for everyone??

IMO - the setup isn't something that i woud enjoy, but you need to go with your heart and what you think your guests would enjoy.

good luck!!!
MrsTC Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I'm being honest here, because I wouldn't want you to make a bad choice, it sounds uncomfortable to me ...it does sound unique and pretty but not comfy, IMO
anna Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I would NOT book something like that. Its a shame but Manhattan is to pressed for space yet they can charge even more than these huge catering halls out on LI.
What do you like about the place? Write down those qualities that you like, and look for a place thats also close by (in the boroughs? what location is ideal for you? we'll help you, give us more info!!)

I really wouldnt enjoy a wedding where everyone is squshed into 2 small rooms. and then going up and down, are there elderly people invited? Kids, infants?

I would suggest you look elsewhere. Give us more info on what youre looking for, or FM me if youd like!
Jan60504 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

Thanks for your responses.
Julybride444 - it is more of a cocktail reception and we would have all little cocktail tables, but FI feels that some big tables would be more comfortable for his family so as a compromise we have to throw some in.
The idea is that people will move around hopefully - there will be a dance floor in one of the rooms where everyone can congregate. The waitstaff will go around to all the groups of people and announce things like the cake cutting, etc. so that everyone is aware that it is going to be happening and they can all come be a part of the action. The two rooms are connected by a wide 'hallway' (I don't know what else to call it but it's not really a hallway). That is where the food will be so it's another congregating place.
Anna - No children are invited and no elderly people (no one over the age of 60) so I'm not too concerned about that, and there is an elevator for anyone who doesn't want to make the trip up/down stairs.
Also, I didn't mention it, but this would be starting at 8:00pm (or possibly even 8:30). There would be butlered hors'doerves for two hours - overlapping when the buffet opens. There is a bar in each room except for the dance floor room.
Probably all in all there would be seating for about 70 of the 80 guests (mostly at cocktail tables - we'll probably have only 3 large tables in one of the rooms) and constant busing of the tables so that places aren't taken up because of someone's mess.
Also, there will be a coat check where people could also check their bag if they want - I don't know how many people will do this, but it is a coat check just for us (no one else in the building) so they may be more inclined to rather than leave things around.
In addition to tables, there are some benches, etc around.
Ok, just trying to give you more info. I love the space because it is so unique and it really is beautiful. It would work wonderfully for a real cocktail reception - but FI wants his tables and dinner. Oh yeah, the dinner buffet will be selections that can easily be eaten so that if anyone wants to eat standing up or just on their laps it's not going to be too hard to cut or something.
Obviously I have the same concerns as you guys - that's why I was asking, but I do have to make a decision quickly and there is a lot about it that I love and it fits my budget more than other places that I've looked at.
Thanks girls! If you have any more input now, please share!
Sonicstef Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I think you could have a great party if you set it up right. I think the key to a party like that is having great entertainment. Then the focus is on that as opposed to 'when is our next course' sort of thing.

Also I think its important to 'stage' the room so everyone knows right away how its going to go down.

Stavia Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I think if you love the place you should book it! This is a big deciesion, but it should be more about whats going to make you & FH happy not your guests. I f your not 100% sure then keep looking, you'll find the right place!

Jan60504 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

Sonicstef - any ideas on how to 'stage' it? I'd love some ideas!! I'm not so good at this stuff!

We do have a GREAT band! So that should help - and they'll be playing the music that everyone we know loves.
Valenia Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I'm sorry, but this doesn't sound good to me. Even if everyone isn't eating at once, plenty of people will stay seated even when they aren't eating. Plus to moving people through hallways to catch the events seems likely to cause traffic jams and people won't be able to see whats going on.

ChristineC68 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I think it sounds really nice. It seems 70 seats would be enough for 80 people. I think this type of atmosphere would lend itself to chatting so having the dance floor in seperate rooms would probably be a relief in a way.

I want to say one of my friends went to a wedding in a place similar to what you are describing, but hers was a sit down dinner without dancing and she said it was the most elegant wedding she has been to.

The only thing that I can think of that would make this unsuccessful is if your guests are not the mingling type. At past events, do your family or friends tend to claim a spot and not move around too much or does everyone hop around chatting. If they just sit, then you won't get that flow.

Jan60504 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

My family members are all chatters - in fact, I could see many of them moving around into the other rooms so that they could talk without the music being to loud - I could even see them hanging out downstairs or in the courtyard (if it's a nice day).

I think all in all most people would be moving around (I could probably count the people who would want to stay seated the whole night).
HappyEverAfter Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

Has this location hosted many weddings? I would check their reputation first, look into the caterers, check the BBB. If they have run weddings there on a regular basis, they should also be able to help you out with ideas on how to stage your events so that your guests can flow between the rooms.

I looked at a space w. a similar setup, but did not feel comfortable with my guests in two seperate rooms. JMO, but I felt that it would be hard enough to see my guests and enjoy the wedding without them being split up. Dont let the place pressure you- take the time to make the decision you will be comfortable with. If its meant to be, it will all work out. I know that sounds crazy, but it really is true. Good luck!
ss2002 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

This sounds very similar to a wedding I went to last year...it was upstate, in an historic inn on a lake...very, very elegant.

I like the way you are describing the setup and reception, but more importantly, I think you like it too. You really need to do what will make you and FH happy...your friends and family will deal!

IMO-go for it!!!!!

Best wishes and happy planning!!!
Sage10.03 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I think you could DEFINITELY do this....
Like Stef said, it's all in how you set it up...
It sounds like you could make it look romantic and intimate rather than cramped and uncomfortabel.

I went to a wedding that was a buffet with no assigned seating in a museum in Phili. and it was awesome and NO ONE was sitting eating at the same time.

Good Luck - it sounds great and different (which I love) to me!
sanmik Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

IMO - I wouldn't want the rooms split and assuming not everyone will sit at the same time is something I wouldn't do either. If you're having an informal wedding in the afternoon, you can get away with it, but if it's more formal and at night, I would look for something more accommodating.

N&L2004 Posted:

Re: Does this sound bad for a wedding reception?

I would not want the party split up but that JMO. If it works for you I say go for it. I have seen a beautiful wedding in the townhouse in the city. It was very intimate, classy and warm and that was exactly what the couple wanted. My advice don't let the manager pressure you into boking it. Look around more. We have been to places that said we have to make a decision on the spot or they won't hold the date and then 2 month later they were still available.

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