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Original poster

Imagine a village hall wedding

50 replies

Keurig · 15/08/2023 12:19

I’m getting married next year in a village hall type setting. I’m racking my creative side to this k of funky elements to add to the day to make it not so….blah.

if you were going to this kind of wedding, what would you like to see/experience? I think a live band, yes - but what else? We are a bit older, if that helps…

OP posts:

Whataretheodds · 15/08/2023 12:20

Is there a stage? Outside space? Kitchen?
What time of year? Kids invited?

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 15/08/2023 12:24

We volunteer at a village hall and there have been a few weddings there. Definitely get a band or DJ (or both). Interesting food/ drink trucks are in fashion at the moment. Does the village hall have its own bar? I’d go for more rustic decorations and definitely chair covers and nice table cloths as village hall tables tend to be the folding type and the chairs a bit boring.

lastseasonstop · 15/08/2023 12:27

Plenty food and drink. Are kids coming? Cater for kids if they are.

I got married at home with a marquee. Big BBQ, tonnes of drink so no one had to buy or bring their own, a solo musician playing, bouncy castle and stuff for the kids to do. I got a catering supplies company to do tables and chairs, cutlery and crockery etc. I got a couple of girls from school to help serve, tidy up and make sure everyone’s drinks were full.

I think don’t leave people hanging around when you’re getting photos taken. Give them plenty to eat and drink and you’ll be fine.

Catering wise, what would you like to provide? Are you getting an outside bar service in?

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Weddings

DatumTarum · 15/08/2023 12:28

What are you into?

Hobbies? Interests?

WandaWonder · 15/08/2023 12:28

This sounds really cool I would go bunting, and like a cricket tea type set up

Xiaoxiong · 15/08/2023 12:29

Pinterest is your friend here - if you stick in "village hall weddings" you get loads of ideas, mainly involving fairly lights, bunting and nicer furniture/tablecloths to hide the plastic trestle tables most village halls have.

See ideas here too: https://www.fazackarley.com/how-to-transform-a-village-hall-for-a-wedding/?utm content=bufferef23b&utmmmedium=social&utm source=pinterest.com&utmmcampaign=buffer

TwoItalianApples · 15/08/2023 12:30

I went to one that was so pretty with all foliage and fairy lights up in the rafters and then round the edges loads of cute tables for talking points - there was a bake off bring a cake table, with a prize at the speeches, a sweets pic n mix table, maybe some childhood photos of the bride and groom and then couple ones - mainly silly not attractive.

Moltenpink · 15/08/2023 12:31

Some hay bales to sit on outside?

PermanentTemporary · 15/08/2023 12:38

My favourite village hall wedding started with a massive game of rounders outside. But if you go in that direction you do need to consider dress code... the bride was in an above the knee sumer dress by that stage (she'd had the civil ceremony the day before).

DaphneDeloresMoreheadRidesOn · 15/08/2023 12:38

I booked a fun casino for dh's 40th birthday in a village hall. It was brilliant. could be good fun at a wedding.

the most important thing to get right is thr catering. Dont end up like my best friend at her village hall wedding - clearing the buffet away at 1am and unable to get a cab to her 1st night hotel because she hadn't thought about it on a June Saturday night.

mindutopia · 15/08/2023 12:47

So thinking back to the ones I've been to, I really enjoy a village hall wedding. So much more relaxed than the stately home sort of ones. They've been my favourite probably.

Definitely a great, fun band - I think so much better than a DJ.

Food isn't all that important as long as you feed people and have plenty of it. I've been to ones that did a grazing table (I know MN hates these, but it was perfect for kids, and I love all that sort of stuff, and there was plenty to go around). And I've been to one that did sausages and mash. Both great.

Honestly, I cannot remember the decorations at either, so I'm not much help there, but I would focus much more on the experience and comfort of guests than decor. It's what people actually care about.

And do little fun things - a photo booth, one we went to recently brought out glow sticks and glow glasses for kids/everyone really when the band came on. If you will be having kids or just fun adults, some sort of activities/games set up. One had lawn games outside, a little round of crazy golf, laser shooting, it doesn't have to be super expensive, but it meant that there was something for everyone. People who aren't big on mingling or dancing, could go outside and play games. Also, there was a playground at the village hall, so something for kids to do too, which meant they weren't underfoot for the more adult/boring bits.

Original poster

Keurig · 15/08/2023 12:48

Wow, thanks for this. We’re older so no real need to keep children entertained. All are in their 20s now. It might be really chilly outside, but I’d love a sheep or pig on a spit. I’ll have to think about that..

will do lovely decorations. Was definitely thinking about foliage and fairy lights. A magician? I mean an adult style one? What are thoughts on that..

OP posts:

Campervangirl · 15/08/2023 12:49

I went to one during covid.
Don't do any of this:
*Bride forgot tiara, we were asked to drive back approx 16 miles to get it, we were obvs late to the reception and received tuts, dirty looks and snide comments from other guests who didn't know we were on a mission for the bride.
*Hardly anyone spoke to us.

Sat us (family) at the furthest table, near the door & we got eaten alive by midges
Food was buffet/bbq and served by table number, we were last and got the dregs. *Put on a 2nd helping of food, we were last again. *Bride and groom did the table rounds and skipped us, well, they sat for a second, then got up and left without speaking to us *Bride, groom and friends danced and mingled, we were told not too. We sat on hard back chairs for 8 hrs and only moved for inedible food and to use the toilet. Worst wedding ever Have a wonderful day 😁

Northern12345 · 15/08/2023 12:50

We had a magician at our village hall wedding - and it was great 100% recommend!

mindutopia · 15/08/2023 12:50

Oh and yes, think about who is going to do the tidying up and when. It's probably not what you want to do on your wedding night, but do draft in a team of helpers to sort out the hall the next day. It's well worth reserving it for as much of the next day as you can, so that no one has to get up at 6am to sweep the floors, etc. The most recent hall wedding I went to, they did bacon butties for the clean up crew the next day.

Hamandpeas · 15/08/2023 12:53

I have been to a couple of village hall weddings. Both were great. Bunting, fairy lights - very village green like. One had morris dancers during the afternoon - that was great. Ice cream van came round. They had a cayleigh in the evening - live band and caller. So much fun.

Original poster

Keurig · 15/08/2023 12:53

@mindutopia love the idea of mini golf…

OP posts:

Lkahsvtv · 15/08/2023 12:55

I’ve been to 2; one there was a hog roast and a live singer which was very nice. The other had afternoon tea, later on pizza van and a pop up bar and outside games put out. The outside games were a real hit. Also a DJ later on. Both were lovely weddings. Fairly sure there was bunting for decoration.

TokyoSushi · 15/08/2023 12:56

When I think of a Village Hall wedding, I think something really pretty. Loads of flowers, fairy lights, tea lights, foliage, pink, white, sage green etc. A fab band, loads of food and you'll be great. Have a lovely time!

Hercisback · 15/08/2023 12:56

I did similar in a town hall OP.
Chair and table cloths are a must, they instantly spruce up the place.
We had flower bouquets in relatives jugs on the tables. Lots of bunting which another relative made.
If you get caterers for a meal check the plates and cutlery or hire them. You'll also need glass hire for drinks too in most halls.
If you're doing your own bar, check out the cold storage in the hall, caterers may need the fridge space so you may need your own fridge. We also had huge ice buckets with booze stashed in!

It's not blah.... There's people there who love you and as long as there's food and booze, everyone will have a great time.

Don't over decorate, it's a faff to take it all down!

Get a team of volunteers on set up and clean up duties.

TheMadGardener · 15/08/2023 12:59

My friend had a village hall reception. Very laid back. They had a barn dance with hay bales, checked shirts etc. As it was in Cornwall, the catering was mainly tons of pasties and lots of cider. It was one of the most fun weddings I've been to.

VikingLady · 15/08/2023 13:02

Enough seats! Also food, drink, clean toilets. Honestly, whilst no one remembers the toilets they will DEFINITELY remember it being bad!

Original poster

Keurig · 15/08/2023 13:02

@Xiaoxiong love that link, thank you…

OP posts:

ActDottie · 15/08/2023 13:04

I’d do a country laid back type wedding. Lots of lovely flowers of lots of different types and colours no strict colour theme.

Bluevelvetsofa · 15/08/2023 13:04

Hog roast, hot dogs, fish and chip van, ice cream van, even coffee and cake van. They all seem popular here. Or pizza. There’s a lot of those around. DS’s friend had curry, but I’d worry about curry stains on nice frocks.

Either that or an afternoon tea theme, with really lovely sandwiches, cakes and scones. Probably not right in the evening though.

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