The secret to 2-in-1 wedding venues

Photo via PartySquared

Being in the wedding industry exposes one to wedding trends long before it hits the public platform. This wedding season more and more brides are opting to host their wedding ceremony and reception in one space. In this month’s wedding blog, we delve into the reasons why this makes total sense, and just how to create the perfect 2-in-1 wedding venue. Spoiler alert – you will be saving tons of money and have far fewer headaches! Let’s look at the why’s and how’s.

 

It’s so convenient

One of the most appealing benefits of a single venue is convenience. Your dealings are with one event planner, it is one invoice from the venue and just one contact point. We all know that moving from the ceremony to the reception can cause unnecessary stress, not only for the bridal couple but also for the guests. With all activities in one venue, there is no need for costly bridal transportation arrangements, and out-of-towners don’t run the risk of getting lost in the process. Guests can relax and fully enjoy the day from start to finish, while the couple can stay focused on the joy of the moment.

 

Streamlined planning

Coordinating between two venues often means working with multiple vendors, creating extra stress during the planning phase. By choosing a single venue, you simplify communication and coordination. So often a bride is burdened with the logistics of moving large floral arrangements, red carpets and décor elements from the chapel to the reception in a bid to save money, but having both events in one space totally eliminates this. This unified approach also helps ensure that the theme, décor, and atmosphere flow consistently throughout the day.

 

More quality time with your guests

Wedding days fly by, and couples often express feeling like they didn’t have enough time with their guests. With everything happening in one place, there’s no downtime spent traveling, allowing you more time to celebrate with loved ones. Your guests will appreciate not having to kill time between events, and you’ll have more opportunities to mingle, take photos, and savour the occasion.

 

How does one transition between the ceremony and the wedding reception?

To elevate the atmosphere of a wedding, there are multiple ways to shift the energy between different parts of the event. A change in lighting effects, such as transitioning from soft, romantic hues during the ceremony to vibrant, dynamic lighting for the reception, can instantly transform the mood.

Altering the music tempo is another effective way to influence the vibe—start with more serene, acoustic melodies for the ceremony and move into upbeat tracks for the reception to get guests on their feet.

You can also enhance the transformation with a quick outfit change for the couple, creating a fresh, exciting look that sets the tone for the celebration to follow.

Guests need a clear indication that the official part of the ceremony is now over and they will be moving on to the fun part next. Not to forget that an essential bathroom break will be needed somewhere in the middle of the celebrations.

 

Some practical tips to create your 2-in-1 wedding venue

1. Guide your guests from the ‘chapel’ area through an archway or balloon arch into the reception area.

2. Create a champagne wall or snack bar between the two areas. Arrange a live performer to entertain with gentle background music.

3. Use large pieces of furniture to create conversation nooks where guests can enjoy canapes on arrival or just rest and catch up for a while. Sofas with backdrops or draping, or even décor-filled bookshelves create beautiful barriers between the ceremony and party venues. com explains that “lounge areas (are not only) functional, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to build upon your theme and show off your style.” The experts further recommend that to achieve a cohesive design, it’s best to pick hues and decorations that match your colour palette and aesthetic.”

4. Bring nature inside by using hanging plants, tall bamboo, or branches as room dividers. A vertical garden creates a lush green partition between spaces and with a bit of creative flair, it can also be used as a photo wall or backdrop. This brings a lovely natural element to the wedding and helps with noise pollution and air quality.

5. Sometimes just the clever floorplan and furniture placement will guide your guests. Who wants 10 similar round tables for your wedding guests when there are so many interesting table configurations to be had? Make your dance floor the wow element of the celebration.

 

Magic Room dividers

Room dividers are essential for the success of separating the activities in your venue. We feel inspired by ideas from home décor, exhibition and signage companies with their ingenious ways of separating living and business spaces. While this may seem like an unplanned expense, keep in mind that whatever you are constructing can be reused in your own home after the wedding, especially if you are moving into an open-plan house. We love how vinyl stickers applied to a clear background can enhance your wedding theme while hinting at the rest of the wedding to follow behind the screen. Have a handy uncle build a light wood frame, add a Perspex or clear plastic sheet and apply a beautiful personalised vinyl print as a divider. Add some up-lights to this and you have an unbeatable focal point. An online search delivered these elegant hanging decorative screen divider systems for walls, with an artistic design and easy installation:

 

Draping

Draping is as old as biblical times and remains an evergreen favourite with wedding planners – light billowy draping never fails to create a romantic, nostalgic feel. Instead of dividing the two venue areas with a privacy screen, why not encapsulate the dining area with a canopy of drapes and lights? Create your very own cozy cocoon and dining space, away from the rest of the world. Draping your dining area makes the space feel more intimate and creates a sense of occasion. Use lighting, draped fabrics, and floral arrangements to divide larger spaces into smaller, more personal areas.

Planning a wedding is so exciting but can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes it feels like one long tick list before you have the chance to say yes at the altar. One decision that can make a significant difference to your stress levels, is choosing to host both your ceremony and reception at the same venue.

Opting for the same venue for both your wedding ceremony and reception offers simplicity, savings, and an elevated experience for both you and your guests. With fewer logistics to worry about, you can focus on enjoying your big day to the fullest.

We hope that you feel inspired and filled with creative ideas for your upcoming wedding! Let us know how you will be saving money by using one venue for the ceremony and reception – we would love to see your ideas!

She knows her Merlot from her Mojito, her hotel from her motel. From craft food to caviar, her innate curiosity about life and wanderlust provide inspiration for her blogs, articles and press releases about the travel, wedding and Spa industry. Over twenty years in the hotel marketing & PR arena with impressive hotel groups, from Dubai to Durbanville, has evolved into the pure enjoyment of freelance projects under the banner of About Branding.