AboutShannon M Mason Expertise As an accredited Professional Bridal Consultant, I can answer questions involving all aspects of wedding and event planning. From budgets and organization to menus and timelines, each part of the planning process is just as important as the next. Whether you are looking for answers to traditional wedding questions or you want to venture outside the box, ask away! If we don’t have the answer we will find it for you!
Experience I am the owner of New Beginnings Wedding & Event Management and have been planning weddings and events for 13 years. I attend networking and training classes on a regular basis to keep abreast of the latest trends and fashions.
Education/Credentials Professional Bridal Consultant - Association of Bridal Consultants
Expert: Shannon M Mason Date: 4/20/2008 Subject: Reception Site Set Up
Question I am having my wedding reception in a very spacious clubhouse on the property I am residing. There are 4 separate areas which people can mingle and sit and visit in; meaning sofas with coffee tables and comfortable chairs. There is also quite a bit of floor space in the center of the room. I want to serve a buffet style dinner. Currently there are also two round tables already located in this room. I have no idea how to set this up. Do i need to rent more round tables so everyone can be "seated" at a table or is it appropriate for some to sit in the sofa/conversation pit areas? I don't know where my husband and I should sit? Should we have our own table? There will be around 50-60 people at the event. I'm on a budget so don't have the luxury of a wedding coordinator. Thanks so much for volunteering on this site and for your help.
Answer Mary Ann:
If you are serving dinner food, then you need to have a place for each guests to sit. If you are limited on space and budget, I would suggest using finger foods that you don't need to have a fork and knife to eat. That will solve the issue of not having enough tables.
In whatever would be considered the main area of the clubhouse, you and your fiance should have a table for just the two of you! Believe me, you are going to want to be able to sit down and relax a little.
See if you can rearrange the furniture in the rooms so that you can use the space to your benefit.
I hope that this helps some! Since I really can't see the space then it is difficult for me to say what could truly be done. Ask if you can come in a few times prior to the wedding and play with the space a little. Usually clubhouses are pretty easy about it as long as you put it back the way you found it.
