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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think it's fine to have a wedding reception in a Civic Hall

10 replies

LifeonMarss · 20/08/2023 17:14

Title might sound silly but oh well.
We are looking to marry next Winter and want to make it as budget as possible, we have looked at various places including just having a close family meal after the church ceremony however, we've found that just renting out a room at the local civic hall is the cheapest option. Ideally, its close to the church, can decorate it how we want and sort out our own food (its a bit more work but we're both happy to do it and luckily my mum has offered to set it all up before the wedding). When I've mentioned this to people however they've seemed a bit put out/judgemental, a friend asked why we arnt having it at a 'proper' place and a colleague said its very 1980s (apparently civic halls ceased to exists after 1989) .
AIBU to think there's literally nothing wrong with this? It's within our budget and its a nice little village hall, would you be happy going to a reception at a civic hall? We're planning on having a bar and serving afternoon tea and some little snacks for later on in the night. I'm starting to worry people might think it's an odd choice, I know its our wedding etc but I just worry about these things.

OP posts:
GammonAndEggs · 20/08/2023 17:15

My friend did this. It was perfect!

YoureALizardHarry11 · 20/08/2023 17:59

I don’t see a problem. Your friends sound like snobs. Don’t invite them, it’ll be even cheaper 😂

NoImnotcalledIgglePiggle · 20/08/2023 18:14

You can have your wedding reception anywhere you like.

So what if they think it's odd? Your "friends" can choose not to attend.

DilemmaDelilah · 20/08/2023 18:30

I think it's the description 'civic hall' . That conjures up vision of large inner city concrete emptiness to me, rather than 'village hall' which sounds absolutely fine!

Are these people aware that you intend to have it in the village hall? They might just not know where you mean.

Whaleandsnail6 · 20/08/2023 18:55

We had ours in a sports hall at a community centre. Hired a bar and dj and I think it was an amazing day and unless everyone was being polite, our guests did too!

TyrannosaurusSex · 20/08/2023 19:09

As someomne who's had a year of being a wedding guest at, what seems like, umpteen weddings - the Civic Hall one was geniuinely my favourite: the most fun and seemed much more romantic than the others.

NowItsSpring · 20/08/2023 19:23

We did the same, it's the people that make a wedding, not the building.

CoffeeCantata · 20/08/2023 19:28

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong, and a lot right, with this idea.

The daughter of a titled woman I know held her wedding reception in a local high school's hall because she wanted to invite as many friends and relations as possible, rather than paying for a prestigious venue and limiting numbers.

They had a really jolly, unpretentious event and a good time was had by all!

To me, that's a really classy approach which prioritises what really matters. Good luck, OP.

ThomasHardyPerennial · 20/08/2023 19:28

Sounds like a great idea, and the best decision for you financially. Absolutely nothing wrong with it!

Spanielsarepainless · 20/08/2023 19:35

Good plan. We had our reception in a village hall, simple home-catered buffet and incredible cake. I heard on the radio today that people spend £18,000 on average for a wedding but formal meals are out of favour. Wondering what the £18k gets spent on.

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